Inside James Van Der Beek’s Family Life With 6 Kids

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James Van Der Beek lived a full life with his full family.

Before he passed away on February 11th at 48 years old, actor Joshua Jackson prioritized spending time with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek. His family remembered him as a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend.

James shared that being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023 made him realize how much he cherished his 15-year marriage, calling it a true blessing.

He told Parade magazine that he truly believes he married the perfect person. He feels more in love and admires his wife even more now, especially considering how she handled everything after his diagnosis and all that she continues to do. He says being loved by her is an incredible feeling.

The Varsity Blues actor also shared that the hugs from his and Kimberly’s six children – Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4 – were incredibly comforting and helped him heal.

Being surrounded by love and support is truly the greatest healing force, and being able to offer that back is incredibly powerful. While I try to teach my kids about being resilient, I believe the most effective lesson is to show them how to bounce back from challenges through my own actions.

In 2020, James and Kimberly moved from California to Texas, seeking a more natural lifestyle on a farm for their family.

In 2023, the actor told Business Insider about a favorite outdoor spot where his kids can play while they watch the sunset. He’s set up ropes for swinging and plenty of space for running around with soccer balls and footballs, ensuring there’s always something to keep them entertained.

Although the Van Der Beek family had lots of room to enjoy themselves on their farm, James said it took a lot of planning to find time for dates with Kimberly.

He explained to TopMob News in 2022 that while there’s significant training involved, the current process feels fast-paced, like a quick coffee stop or running a simple errand.

Although, he added, “Honestly we’ve had some of our favorite afternoons on errand runs together.”

After all, James saw the hurdles as unique opportunities. 

He explained that with so many wonderful children and a fantastic wife, life is about choosing what matters most and then connecting with people.

Read on to look back at James’ cherished moments with his family. 

James and his wife share six children, and he frequently praised her for being the heart of their family and holding everything together.

In a heartfelt Instagram post from March 2024, James – who sadly passed away in February 2026 after a long fight with cancer – expressed his deep admiration for his wife. He described her as an incredible mother, friend, healer, and a truly compassionate person, adding that she made him the man he was.

Throughout James’ health battle, he emphasized what it meant to have her by his side.

“I definitely made the right choice with my Valentine,” the Dawson’s Creek star wrote in a February 2025 Instagram post. “Actually, I didn’t really have a choice at all – I fell for you instantly when you walked in on me telling a friend I was looking for something real.”

James and his oldest child Olivia had an indescribable bond.

He shared in a September 2023 social media post that meeting his child instantly changed his understanding of love and broadened his capacity for emotion in ways he never expected. He added that his child has continued to teach him about love ever since.

The most rewarding thing about raising six children is watching them grow into their own unique selves. James especially admired his daughter Emilia, noting her incredibly strong and spirited personality.

He shared in a March 2025 Instagram post that while he learns from all his children, he’s always seen this one as a source of wisdom. He appreciates how this child keeps everyone on schedule, helps with their younger brother, and isn’t afraid to offer constructive criticism. ‘When you speak,’ he wrote, ‘I listen.’

As the couple’s kids all opted for separate costumes, Halloween 2025 was a boo-tiful family moment.

After experiencing two heartbreaking losses late in their pregnancies, Jeremiah—born in 2021 to Jeremiah and Kimberly—was a welcome joy, often referred to as their ‘rainbow baby.’

As a parent, I’m always struck by the beautiful contradictions in my son. My husband, James, perfectly captured it in a recent social media post: he described our little boy as having incredible strength of character, paired with the sweetest disposition. And honestly, watching him explore the world – the running, the yelling, the joyful chaos – fills me with such gratitude that he chose us to be his parents. It’s a reminder that the most challenging moments are often the most precious.

As Joshua turned thirteen, James thought about how much his son had changed him over the years.

In a March 2025 Instagram post, he shared how much someone had impacted his life, writing, “You’ve shown me more than anyone what kind of person I aspire to be.” He went on to say that their questions helped him stay on track, their perspective gave him valuable self-awareness, and their humor always brought him joy.

Along with a recent photo of himself with his children, actor Joshua Jackson spoke about how strong his daughter has been.

In a January 2026 Instagram post, he expressed his amazement at how someone could remain so kind, open-hearted, and truly good in such a challenging world.

For her seventh birthday, James gushed over how proud he is of his little girl.

He wrote in a June 2025 Instagram post that even before she was born, she was full of personality and charm. He added that she’s incredibly clever, with a knack for making everyone around her laugh, and watching her with children is truly heartwarming and inspiring.

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2026-02-12 01:19