Oliver Hudson Calls "Dawson's Creek" Costar James Van Der Beek an 'Inspiration' amid Cancer Journey (Exclusive) Jen JuneauOctober 16, 2025 at 1:09 AM 0 Axelle/BauerGriffin/FilmMagic; JC Olivera/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Oliver Hudson; James Van Der Beek Oliver Hudson is opening up about Ja...
- - Oliver Hudson Calls "Dawson's Creek" Costar James Van Der Beek an 'Inspiration' amid Cancer Journey (Exclusive)
Jen JuneauOctober 16, 2025 at 1:09 AM
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Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; JC Olivera/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
Oliver Hudson; James Van Der Beek -
Oliver Hudson is opening up about James Van Der Beek's cancer diagnosis
The two both starred in Dawson's Creek and while Hudson says they haven't connected in some time, he adds that he's been "following his journey"
"It's just impressive, the strength that he and other people who are fighting for their lives essentially can have"
Oliver Hudson says he's inspired by fellow Dawson's Creek alum James Van Der Beek's strength in the wake of his cancer diagnosis.
Van Der Beek, 48, revealed in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
"I've been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family," he told PEOPLE at the time. "There's reason for optimism, and I'm feeling good."
Van Der Beek played the titular character in Dawson's Creek while Hudson appeared as Eddie Doling, a recurring character in season 6 of the show.
While Hudson, 49, says he hasn't spoken to Van Der Beek since the announcement, he tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview: "I've been following his journey and it's just impressive, the strength that he and other people who are fighting for their lives essentially can have"
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Oliver Hudson and James Van Der Beek on Dawsons Creek Season 6 Episode 10
"Sometimes I put myself in those shoes and I don't know if I could be that strong, so it's extremely inspirational and impressive to watch him go through this with just grace and dignity and hope and love and positivity. I mean, it's incredible," Hudson adds.
Hudson added he's also inspired by another actor: Eric Dane, who exclusively revealed his ALS diagnosis to PEOPLE in April 2025.
"And I know even with Eric Dane, it's just, I am just floored by his resilience and his strength to push forward and to go to Washington and speak to Congress and advocate with something that is so insanely difficult and your children and you're leaving this earth, and I don't know how they do it. And it's an inspiration, 100%," Hudson said of Dane's recent advocacy for the reauthorization of ACT for ALS.
Hudson added of Van Der Beek's and Dane's outlooks: "You do have to make that choice."
In July 2025, Van Der Beek shared an update on his health with Today, telling the outlet, "I'm feeling great. It's been a journey. There are just so many ups and downs and so many unknowns. Cancer is – I call it a full-time job ... It's a process. It'll probably be a process for the rest of my life."
However, in September 2025, the actor announced that he would not be in attendance at a Dawson's Creek reunion charity event, citing health struggles. In an Instagram post shared on Sept. 21, Van Der Beek wrote that he was "gutted" after developing two different stomach viruses.
Hudson, meanwhile, will soon star alongside Alicia Silverstone in the Netflix holiday rom-com A Merry Little Ex-Mas, about parents of two who find themselves beginning to drift apart as they face becoming empty-nesters.
A Merry Little Ex-Mas is on Netflix Nov. 12.
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