James Van Der Beek had a deeply personal reason for shedding his clothes on Fox’s “The Real Full Monty.”

When first invited to participate in the striptease event based on the 1997 film aimed at raising cancer awareness, Van Der Beek, 47, was secretly fighting his own battle after being diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023. Stripping down during a male celebrity performance, led by Anthony Anderson, would not only be entertaining television but also provide an important platform to raise awareness about often-embarrassing health screenings for serious conditions like prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancers.

“It’s funny how the universe works. I knew right away that I wanted to do this,” Van Der Beek told YSL News about the experience of removing his red thong during the two-hour special. “It took some time for my mind to come to terms with what I was about to do. I’ve never had any experiences with male stripping, so this was completely new for me. Plus, it was my first chance to speak about my diagnosis.”

He disclosed his health struggle last month while also revealing his initiative to sell signed replica football jerseys from his 1999 film “Varsity Blues” to help with treatment expenses. The outpouring of support and love he received from friends and fans around the globe was heartwarming for the actor.

“It’s been incredible and overwhelming,” he shared. He received a thoughtful care package from Katie Holmes, his co-star from the beloved series “Dawson’s Creek.” “Being in a situation where I’m surrounded by so much kindness was really touching.”

Support also came from his fellow participants in “Full Monty,” including actors Anderson, Taye Diggs, Tyler Posey, Kansas City Chiefs’ Chris Jones, and “Dancing With the Stars” judge Bruno Tonioli.

When Van Der Beek shared his cancer diagnosis with his fellow dancers on camera, the emotion was evident. Tonioli, who previously worked with Van Der Beek on Season 28 of “DWTS,” was moved to tears.

“Bruno and I have a long history,” Van Der Beek remarked, feeling touched by the moment. “I’ve always been someone who likes to be independent, so relying on these guys for support was significant. I hope my journey encourages others to let down their guard and accept help from their support systems.”

This network of support includes his wife, Kimberly, with whom he has been married for 14 years, their six children (“they have been amazing”), and friends like Slater, who is so close that his children affectionately call her “Auntie.” Nevertheless, there are times when he finds the weight of his diagnosis to be overwhelming.

“It’s a lot to take in. This has undoubtedly been a significant learning experience for what I call ‘Act Three’ of my life,” he expressed. “But I feel strong and healthy enough to stay active, which is a great motivator for me.”

“Full Monty” provided him with a delightful escape. He even enjoyed being the subject of a “Weekend Update” joke referencing the special as “Dawson’s Crack,” which was particularly amusing considering he had once been caught with a porn VHS tape by the same name.

“That’s a completely true story. I received the ‘Dawson’s Crack’ adult film as a wrap gift for ‘The Rules of Attraction,'” he recalled from his 2002 movie. “It was on VHS—dating it back to when that was still a thing. I brought it back to the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ set in North Carolina to share with everyone, wanting to show how far our show had come. I packed it in my suitcase and went through security, which was a hassle after 9/11. They went through all bags, including mine, and it was right on top. Not only was it an adult film, but it was one related to a show I starred in! The TSA agent glanced at me, looked embarrassed, and just zipped up my suitcase. I went on my way without incident.”

On “Full Monty,” he couldn’t avoid the challenge of the performance, including the thong-removal practice. “It’s more intricate than people think,” Van Der Beek shared. “The thong needs to stay on when you want it to and come off when you want it to. Timing plays a huge role, and you have to trust a plastic clasp a lot.”

To clarify a burning question: yes, each participant indeed stripped completely naked in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The reveal involves more than just the last thong, and even Van Der Beek is unsure how much of the final reveal will be displayed on Fox.

“But we all went full monty, 100%. We got naked in front of an audience. It was truly quite freeing. If we can step onto the stage and express ourselves, it may encourage others to have crucial discussions with their healthcare providers, potentially saving lives.

“Dancing is completely optional.”