James Van Der Beek, 47, thanks his father for his 'life-saving' support amid cancer battle

James Van Der Beek shared his gratitude for his father's support amid his cancer battle.

On Saturday, the 47-year-old actor took to Instagram and posted an emotional message dedicated to his dad in honor of his birthday.

'The way you have shown up when I've been down and out this year — without having to ask, without the expectation of even a thank you... has not just been life-saving, but life-affirming,' he wrote to his father, former baseball player James William Van Der Beek.

'Moving onto the ranch for when I'm away for treatment,' continued the Varsity Blues star — who recently joined the striptease special The Real Full Monty for cancer awareness.

'Making lunches, making fires for @vanderkimberly, driving kids, even taking care of the dogs and chicken,' he added.

'Neither of which you ever wanted and would just as soon never had.' 

The Dawson's Creek alum also thanked his dad for how he 'moved through everything cancer brings up.' 

The actor added: 'I know it's outside your comfort zone, but especially since Mom died, you have come through for me again and again and again in ways that I didn't even know how much I needed. 

'Watching you evolve, seeing what kind of man and father you are... gives me more confidence in myself than I could ever express,' he added. 'I feel so proud and lucky to have come from you. 

'Thank you for being the best. Ever. Period.' 

Alongside the emotional caption, he shared a photo series of his dad and included a snapshot of the proud grandfather posing with his many grandkids. 

He also posted a photo of his dad alongside him and his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek and another sweet snapshot of him posing with his daughter-in-law.

Van Der Beek also added: 'And I will keep my promise that we won't ever ask you to change Jeremiah's diapers.' 

Jeremiah is the youngest out of six children the actor shares with his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek. 

In addition to the two-year-old, the longtime couple are also parents to daughters Olivia, 14, Annabel, 10, Emilia, eight, Gwendolyn, six, and son Joshua, 12. 

Two months ago, the actor revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer back in August 2023.

'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 in November 2024. 

'There's reason for optimism, and I'm feeling good.' 

Late last year, he also joined the striptease special The Real Full Monty to bring cancer awareness to a national audience.

The actor joined Anthony Anderson in the Fox production that aired in December 2024.

'The universe is hilarious. I knew immediately in my heart I was doing this,' the Hollywood veteran told USA Today about his involvement in the show.

'My brain had to catch up to what I'd be doing,' he explained.

'There's been nothing even resembling a male stripping past for me, so this was truly novel,' the actor continued.

'The added layer was this was going to be my first time talking about my diagnosis.'