James Van Der Beek shared his colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024.

James Van Der Beek surprised fans on Monday when he made a virtual appearance at a Dawson’s Creek reunion, having previously been forced to drop out of the charity event due to an illness.

Footage of the event, which was held at New York’s Richard Rodgers Theatre, shows the actor – who went public with his colorectal cancer diagnosis last year – thanking attendees for their support while expressing regrets for his absence.

“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,” he said. “I can’t believe I don’t get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person.”

He continued: “I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theatre 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........

© HuffPost