James Van Der Beek is addressing his weight loss after fans were shocked to see his frail frame months ago.
The 48-year-old actor, who is battling colon cancer, was forced to cancel a Dawson’s Creek reunion appearance in September due to a separate illness.
Instead of attending in-person, he appeared virtually, but fans were surprised to see how thin he was.
Now he’s revealed that he lost weight due to suffering a stomach bug at the time.
‘I’d lost to much weight because of the stomach virus,’ he explained to Today show’s Craig Melvin in an interview that aired on Friday.
He clarified that the drop in weight was ‘not cancer-related,’ before adding, ‘Although with cancer everything’s like, “Why don’t we super size that stomach virus?”‘
James Van Der Beek is addressing his weight loss after fans were shocked to see his frail frame months ago; pictured with the Today show’s Craig Melvin
The actor worried fans when he looked noticeably thinner as he appeared virtually at a Dawson’s Creek reunion in September
The father-of-six also gave a positive health update on his cancer battle.
‘I feel a little bit better every month. It’s required more of me — more patience, more discipline.
‘More strength than I knew I had. I knew I was strong, I didn’t know I was this strong,’ the star said in the emotional conversation.
Melvin took to Instagram earlier this week to tease the interview with behind-the-scenes outtakes.
The reporter captioned, ‘Spent the day in TX on James Van Der Beek’s ranch. Overcast and dreary outside but James is quite the ray of positivity these days.’
He added, ‘It was refreshing and inspiring. We talked about where he is on his journey, the importance of cancer screenings, and how he’s finding joy in family and faith. Our convo coming up Friday am on @todayshow.’
One social media user commented, ‘Looking good! Great color, more weight! Prayers, Blessings, Love!!’
Van Der Beek and wife Kimberly Van Der Beek share daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12 in January, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven, and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, four.
Melvin took to Instagram earlier this week to tease the interview with behind-the-scenes outtakes
The actor pictured with wife Kimberly and his father James Sr. in an image shared earlier this year
In late September most of the Dawson’s Creek cast joined forces for a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to benefit F Cancer.
Lin-Manuel Miranda joined Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams, filling in for Van Der Beek.
Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, and Busy Philipps were also there.
‘I have been looking forward to this night for months and months, ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,’ Van Der Beek — who portrayed the character Dawson Leery in the teen drama — shared in a pre-recorded video at the time.
‘I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to see my castmates, my beautiful cast in person,’ he said.
‘And just I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight. From the cast to the crew to everybody who’s doing anything and has been so generous, and especially every single last one of you — you are the best fans in the world.’
‘Thank you for coming. It’s just absolutely humbling just how much you did for this night, and I just want to say thank you. Thank you to every single person here,’ he added.
