James Van Der Beek's Wife Kimberly Speaks Out After He Shares Cancer Diagnosis

Kimberly Van Der Beek is supporting her husband through a difficult chapter.

After James Van Der Deek shared that he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, his wife of 14 years responded to the news on social media.

Under the Dawson's Creek alum's Nov. 3 Instagram post, Kimberly wrote with a white heart emoji, "I love you baby."

She also reposted a fact about Northern Cardinal birds on her Instagram Stories that she tagged James in and read, "The 'romantic' birds that mate for life, travel together, sing before nesting, and feed each other seed beak-to-beak during courtship."

The Don't Trust The B---- in Apartment 23 actor first shared the health update in a statement to People Nov. 3. "I've been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family," he explained. "There's reason for optimism, and I'm feeling good."

Following the public announcement, James apologized to his loved ones for being unable to speak with them privately and alleged that it was going to be leaked.

"Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline," he wrote on Instagram. "But we roll with it, taking each surprise as a signpost, pointing us toward a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention."

"There's no playbook for how [to] announce these things, but I'd planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon… to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms," he continued. "But that plan had to be altered early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news."

Meanwhile, James—who shares kids Olivia, 14; Joshua, 12; Annabel, 10; Emilia, 8; Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 3, with Kimberly—has been focusing on himself and his family during this time. 

"I'm in a good place and feeling strong," he added. "It's been quite the initiation, and I'll tell you more when I'm ready."

The 47-year-old previously gushed over Kimberly's longstanding support and emphasized how that was especially necessary this year.

"Nothing could have prepared us for this past year - except perhaps the previous 12," he wrote on Instagram in August. "Thank you for being the most incredible partner. You've broken me open in spots I didn't even know were locked, and taught me how to receive more love than I thought possible."

"In the past, I feel like you've always set the pace for our co-evolution," he continued. "But this year, as I've gone through my own radical transformation, you've tirelessly put in the work and somehow managed to match it. Thank you for your courage, your strength, your vulnerability and your tenderness. I'm thrilled and grateful to get to do this life with you."

Keep reading for insight into more stars' cancer journeys…

The actor, known for roles in The Boys and Supernatural, shared on Feb. 3, 2023, that he had battled prostate cancer for years and was cancer free.

"I had to have a lil bit o'cancer removed from my body and lymph nodes biopsied," the Vanderpump Rules star revealed to fans at the close of 2018. "(In the clear now!)"

The Desperate Housewives star revealed to fans in September 2018 that she survived anal cancer. "After posting a picture of myself here and uttering the words #cancer and #hairloss, I feel liberated, deliriously free and completely me," she shared on Instagram. 

The two-time Oscar winner underwent successful treatment for cancer, and his rep confirmed to E! News that doctors deemed Hoffman "surgically cured."

The X-Men star was treated for his third basal cell carcinoma back in 2014, and after his third treatment, Jackman's rep told E! News that he's "all good" now.

In April 2023, Hugh had two biopsies for additional basal cell carcinoma. At the time, he told fans, "If I can just take this opportunity to remind you summer is coming for those of us in the northern hemisphere, please wear sunscreen."

The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star celebrated one year of being cancer-free in January. The mother of two was diagnosed with endometrial cancer back in 2013 and underwent a radical hysterectomy.

Then in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. 

The Avengers: Age of Ultron actress battled ovarian cancer at the age of 25 and overcome odds when she welcomed two children with husband Taran Killam.

TV host reveals he underwent surgery for prostate cancer in July 2013 and has since been given a clean bill of health.

The Dancing with the Stars cohost underwent successful surgery for thyroid cancer. The mother of four tweeted, "Thx for all the twitter love. I'm [home] recovering & resting."

"MY DR CALLED ME ON A SAT. MORNING TO TELL ME I AM CANCER FREE!!!!! #wootothemotherf--kinhoo," the actress tweeted after receiving the good news.

The Up All Night star was declared "100-percent clear" of breast cancer after treatment and a double mastectomy.

The Dexter star used a hiatus from his hit series to slay Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Australian actress revealed in October 2011 that she had a cancerous mole removed from her calf after her hubby encouraged her to get the suspicious-looking mark checked out.

The Scot is trainspotting just fine these days after having a cancerous mole removed from beneath his right eye.

The singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a "minimally invasive" lumpectomy and radiation therapy.

The Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer "beat."

The Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004.

Surely the CNN veteran wears his SPF when he's braving the elements now after having a cancerous growth removed from under his left eye in 2008.

The Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005.

The 7th Heaven star was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease when he was only 28. He's 37 now and looking good!

The ER fave had to abandon her role in Parenthood to fight breast cancer in 2009—but her treatment was a success and she was back on the red carpet in no time.

The America's Got Talent judge was diagnosed with colon cancer while shooting The Osbournes in 2002 and used the opportunity to stress the importance of regular screenings while attacking the #@%! with chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free the following year.

The Oscar winner took prostate cancer down, down to Chinatown, in 2003, and has been in about 400 movies since then.

The Good Morning America cohost proudly flaunted her smooth scalp while undergoing chemotherapy to treat breast cancer in 2007.

The champion cyclist battled back from stage-four testicular cancer before winning seven straight Tour de France titles.

The Grammy and Oscar winner became an inspiring activist after a lumpectomy and chemotherapy cleared her of breast cancer in 2005.

The former Saturday Night Live standout mined her breast cancer battle for comedic material that turned into God Said Ha!, her successful one-woman show that eventually went to Broadway.

The Sex and the City star was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, and after surgery and radiation treatments, she was given the clear.

Harris underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip star sports a scar on her back where doctors successfully removed a melanoma.