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Oliver Hudson is opening up about James Van Der Beek’s cancer diagnosis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
The two both starred in Dawson’s Creek<\/em> and while Hudson says they haven’t connected in some time, he adds that he’s been “following his journey”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n “It’s just impressive, the strength that he and other people who are fighting for their lives essentially can have”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Oliver Hudson<\/a> says he’s inspired by fellow Dawson’s Creek<\/em><\/a>\u00a0alum James Van Der Beek<\/a>‘s strength in the wake of his cancer diagnosis.<\/p>\n Van Der Beek, 48, revealed in November 2024 that he had been\u00a0diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I\u2019ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,\u201d he told PEOPLE at the time. \u201cThere\u2019s reason for optimism, and I\u2019m feeling good.”<\/p>\n Van Der Beek played the titular character in Dawson’s Creek<\/em> while Hudson appeared as Eddie Doling, a recurring character in season 6 of the show.<\/p>\n 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”<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for\u00a0PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n