James Van Der Beek has left fans feeling concerned after he looked frail during a virtual appearance at the Dawson’s Creek reunion.

The 48-year-old actor, who is currently battling colon cancer, made a surprise cameo at the charity event in a pre-recorded video after he was forced to cancel his in-person visit due to illness.

In his message, James explained that he had been excited for the reunion, which marked the first time in 22 years that the entire Dawson’s Creek cast had come together.

However, he revealed he had to pull out at the last minute due to suffering two stomach viruses.

Worried fans expressed their heartache after seeing James, with many noting that he did ‘not look well.’

In a thread on Reddit, one commented: ‘The poor man, he does not look well at all. He has got such a young family as well.’

Another said: ‘Omg I didn’t realize he’s lost that much weight from cancer, that’s scary.’

‘I’m not a particular fan but it makes me very sad to see him so frail and ill and so failed by our healthcare system,’ a third continued. ‘F**k cancer. I wish him and his family the best.’

‘Seeing how frail he is really broke me this morning,’ added a fourth. ‘I thought he was getting better based on recent updates. I hope his treatment is working.’

‘Seeing these photos made me genuinely emotional,’ another said.

A sixth penned: ‘This breaks my heart, he probably would have wanted to be there in person but with his immunity. I’m glad he stayed back. Sending him healing light.’

On Monday night, Dawson’s Creek stars Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams joined forces for a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to benefit F Cancer held at the Richard Rogers Theatre in New York City.

Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, and Busy Philipps were also present.

Despite cancelling his in-person appearance, James still showed up at the charity event virtually.

In his message to fans, James said: ‘I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together.

‘I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person.

‘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.’

Monday’s event raised money for F Cancer in honor of James, who is currently battling stage three colon cancer.

His cancer was discovered after undergoing a colonoscopy in August 2023. He did not reveal his diagnosis until November 2024.

Although he was unable to attend, James’s wife Kimberly and their six kids showed up to the event in his place.

The couple share daughters Olivia, 14, Annabel, 10, Emilia, eight, and Gwendolyn, six, and sons Joshua, 12, and Jeremiah, three.

Throughout the evening, Kimberly posted videos and pictures from behind the scenes.

After the fundraiser had wrapped, she thanked fans for coming together to show their support for James.

Speaking in a video from her hotel bed, she said: ‘This night was so special to the whole family and more importantly just feeling my husband fill the entire theatre and the love for him.

‘We will be unwinding this one for a while but thank you for the love and support and for the prayers because right here, front and center is my husband on my heart.

‘It was a beautiful night, and I miss my husband. I can’t wait to go and see him tomorrow.’

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