In recognition of James Van Der Beek’s battle with cancer, Fox Network will be re-airing the cancer awareness special The Real Full Monty. Van Der Beek was tragically killed in action Wednesday at the age of 48. This special was broadcast in December of 2024. It featured six male celebrities doing pair performances of striptease routines to get people talking about important health matters such as prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer screening and research.
James Van Der Beek, best known for his role on Dawson’s Creek, also participated in the special. He participated along a star-studded cast that featured Anthony Anderson, Taye Diggs, Tyler Posey, Bruno Tonioli, and Chris Jones. Their innovative initiative sought to inform the nation that colorectal cancer was on the rise, especially among those under the age of 50.
The Real Full Monty draws its inspiration from British television specials that began airing in 2017. Those specials were inspired by the 1997 British comedy smash, The Full Monty. The British specials that originally inspired this American adaptation. Here’s what it intended to do—to marry that celebrity chef entertainment value with a really compelling message on men’s health.
On January 11 of 2023, Van Der Beek announced that he was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. This unexpected diagnosis came as a shock to everyone considering there was no cancer history in his family. Brown had been completely blindsided by the diagnosis. He shared that he was shocked to learn that colorectal cancer cases were increasing in adults under age 50. Data recently published by the American Cancer Society paints a bleak picture. From 2013 to 2022, colorectal cancer incidence in this age group rose by an average of 2.9% annually. Furthermore, incidence among 50 to 64 year-olds has increased by 0.4% annually over that same timeframe.
Van Der Beek’s role in The Real Full Monty was a hit with viewers. It was a reminder that awareness is one of the most formidable weapons in the fight against colorectal cancer, especially for communities at heightened risk. His death has occurred in an unjust time. He stood out as a creative genius who leveraged arts and culture to bring attention to pressing health topics.
