From “Dawson’s Creek” to dad life.
Before James Van Der Beek’s death in February 2026, the actor welcomed six children with wife Kimberly Van Der Beek, whom he wed in August 2010.
The couple, who wed in August 2010, moved their family from Los Angeles to Texas in 2020 after Kimberly’s back-to-back miscarriages led to “drastic changes in [their] … dreams and priorities.”
Four years after relocating, James told his Instagram followers that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer but was “in a good place and feeling strong.”
Kimberly confirmed James’ death in a heartbreaking Instagram post in February 2026, writing, “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. … We ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Keep scrolling to meet James’ little ones.
Olivia Van Der Beek
Kimberly was pregnant when she and James tied the knot in Israel, going on to welcome daughter Olivia the following month.
The couple’s eldest child, who arrived in September 2010, was the only one of their kids born in a hospital instead of at home.
Olivia joined her dad in appearing on “We Are Family” in February 2024, singing a duet of “I Hope You Dance.”
When she turned 13 the previous year, James posted a touching tribute via Instagram.
“Cannot BELIEVE it’s been 13 years… It feels like yesterday I was staring into your little bassinet in the hospital, beyond exhausted, but unable to close my eyes and stop looking at you — and realizing I’d never be able to communicate just how cool it was to have a little you,” the “Varsity Blues” star gushed.
“You expanded my heart and my soul’s capacity the second you came out in ways I could’ve never imagined,” he continued, calling himself Olivia’s “No. 1 fan.”
Joshua Van Der Beek
In March 2012, Olivia became a big sister when brother Joshua was born.
James clarified at the time that he did not name baby No. 2 after his “Dawson’s Creek” co-star Joshua Jackson.
“It would have been cute, but no, it’s something I did not even think about,” he told Us Weekly. “It’s a great name.”
Annabel Leah Van Der Beek
Annabel joined the family in January 2014.
“Outnumbered by kids, outnumbered by girls, outlandishly grateful and thrilled,” James wrote via X at the time. “Watch out world, VDB baby #3 made her debut last night.”
James subsequently joked on “The Talk” that he and Kimberly had been “lazy” and “not had a single discussion about a name before the baby was born.”
He claimed that he and his wife both independently came up with the same moniker for their third child.
At age 5, Annabel made headlines for getting a daring haircut — an undercut and shaved side that her dad wouldn’t “have had the balls” to do.
James praised his daughter’s “sincerity,” “kindness” and “depth” while celebrating her 10th birthday in January 2024.
His final Instagram post honored Annabel, with James gushing, “In this crazy world, it’s a wonder to me that you’ve managed to stay so open, so tender and so genuinely good.”
Emilia Van Der Beek
In March 2016, Kimberly gave birth to Emilia.
“Crazy how deeply in love you can fall with someone you just met,” James gushed to his Instagram followers after her arrival.
Emilia was rushed to the emergency room in February 2021 when she hit her head on a table and needed the skin under her left eyebrow “glued” — with her parents documenting the experience on social media.
Gwendolyn Van Der Beek
Gwendolyn, James and Kimberly’s youngest daughter, was born in June 2018.
“Every child awakens a different energy in you,” the proud dad told People. “This one has been bringing up the truth ever since we found out she was on her way.”
When Gwendolyn turned 4 in 2022, James called her “sensational” and “different” via Instagram.
Jeremiah Van Der Beek
Jeremiah completed the Van Der Beek family in October 2021, the only of the couple’s six children born in Texas.
Kimberly suffered two back-to-back miscarriages — both at 17 weeks along — before Jeremiah’s arrival due to an “incompetent cervix.”
She underwent a “simple surgical cerclage” before conceiving baby No. 6 and “gave birth naturally on the ranch.”
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