James Van Der Beek kept a positive attitude in his final days, prior to his tragic passing at the age of 48 Wednesday.
Van Der Beek two months ago called his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis the 'best thing that ever happened' to him because of the positive changes it brought about in his day-to-day dealings, and the way he looked at life.
Van Der Beek, who shot to fame playing Dawson Leery on the show Dawson's Creek, opened up to the Today show in December about the positive impact that the diagnosis had on his life, forcing him to make essential changes.
Van Der Beek, who was well-remembered by a number of his colleagues in show business following news of his passing Wednesday, said he heard 'a little voice' that reminded him of the silver lining the diagnosis brought.
Van Der Beek, also known for his roles in Varsity Blues, One Tree Hill and CSI: Cyber, said he had the thought, 'You're gonna make changes in your life that you would never, ever make if you didn't have this extreme of a diagnosis.'
Van Der Beek, who was father to six children with wife Kimberly, 44, said he believed the changes would ultimately result in adding ' healthy, happy years' to his life.
James Van Der Beek stayed optimistic in his final days prior to his tragic passing at the age of 48 Wednesday.
Van Der Beek told NBC correspondent Craig Melvin that the diagnosis provided him with a proper mindset that impacted his body and mind.
'I don't think I knew what it was to slow down before,' Van Der Beek said. 'I don't think I knew what it was to really look at everything I eat, everything I put in my body.'
He continued, 'I think before cancer, I took all these little, beautiful moments as part of a collective. I was just aware of everything.
'And now I'm able, much more, to just settle into that exact moment. So presence is really the gift that cancer's given me.'
Van Der Beek touched on the emotional impact of his public health battle, saying it was 'overwhelming' in a good way to be on the receiving end of kind words and well-wishes from concerned family, friends and fans.
Van Der Beek said 'so many people [told him], "I'm praying for you. I'm wishing you the best. How you doin?"'
Said the actor: 'I never expected that. I never just stopped to appreciate what I'd done.'
'And I will say, every time somebody says, "I'm praying for you, and I'm wishing you the best," I appreciate it.'
Van Der Beek two months ago called his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis the 'best thing that ever happened' to him because of the positive changes it brought about
The actor was pictured in January 2020, more than three years prior to his cancer diagnosis
Van Der Beek played Dawson Leery on the show Dawson's Creek (L); and Jonathon 'Mox' Moxon in the 1999 film Varsity Blues
Van Der Beek added, 'The biggest change I'd say would be this journey of self love,' adding, 'What I realized was, I'm still worthy of love. My own love, God's love.'
Van Der Beek said that while he felt his heath had been improving, the cancer battle itself was 'a longer journey than [he] ever thought it would be.'
Said the actor: 'It's required more of me - more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had.'
James, 48, is survived by his children with Kimberly and their kids: Olivia, 14; Joshua, 13; Annabel, 11; Emilia, eight; Gwendolyn, six; Jeremiah, three.
Kimberly took to Instagram on Wednesday with the heartbreaking news, saying, 'Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning
'He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come.'
She wrapped up, 'For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.'