The Heartwarming Family Life of James Van Der Beek: A Journey of Love, Joy and Togetherness
James Van Der Beek's heartwarming family moments captured on camera From home births to Halloween costumes, join the actor and his family on their journey of love, laughter, and adventure
James Van Der Beek is a doting father to a large family and enjoys sharing their adorable moments on social media. He tied the knot with Kimberly Van Der Beek in 2010 and welcomed their first child, Olivia, in the same year. Joshua arrived two years later, followed by Annabel, Emilia, and Gwendolyn, making Olivia a proud big sister.
With a group of children as large as theirs, the Dancing With the Stars contestant revealed to us in October 2019 how he and the producer handle discipline. According to the actor, the advantage of having so many kids is that it allows them to witness their parenting mistakes in real-time. He explained that any action taken on one child is immediately emulated by the others, making it crucial for them to focus on conflict resolution and setting a good example.
The Connecticut native had recently revealed to Us that he and Kimberly were open to expanding their family and had not ruled out the possibility of having another child. Just a week later, he surprised everyone with the news that they were expecting baby No. 6, accompanied by an ultrasound clip. On DWTS, he expressed his gratitude for hearing the baby's heartbeat, acknowledging the difficult journey they had faced with Kimberly's previous miscarriages.
The couple welcomed a baby boy named Jeremiah in November 2021, after experiencing late-term pregnancy loss twice in a row at 17+ weeks. James explained via Instagram that they kept the news quiet, admitting he was terrified when he found out.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
James Van Der Beek's Sweetest Moments With His Family: Home Births, Halloween Costumes and More
James Van Der Beek has a big brood and loves spending time with all of his little ones — and documenting their cutest moments on social media.
The actor, known for his role in Dawson's Creek, tied the knot with Kimberly Van Der Beek in 2010. The couple welcomed their first child, Olivia, in the same year. Two years later, they became parents to Joshua, and later to Annabel, Emilia, and Gwendolyn. In an exclusive interview with We in October 2019, the Dancing With the Stars participant shared how he and his wife discipline their large brood.
"It's a moment we never take for granted," he shared during his time on DWTS, reflecting on his wife's previous miscarriages. He later took to Instagram to write, "We've gone through three of those initial appointments where we found either no heartbeat or no baby, and she wanted to share this moment. Miscarriage - a term that needs to be replaced since nobody has failed to 'carry'; these things just happen - is something that people often go through in secret and rarely talk about. But there should be no shame around it or taking the time and space to grieve. We decided to share our experience, not knowing what we'd find, in an effort to break down the unnecessary stigma around this and to encourage those going through it to open up to love and support from their loved ones when they need it most. Fortunately, this time, we left with tears of joy. #AndThenIDancedAQuickStep."
Just one month after announcing his wife's pregnancy, James shared the heartbreaking news that they had lost the baby to miscarriage. During an emotional episode of DWTS, James tearfully expressed the pain of losing their expected little one, saying, "The little soul that we had expected to welcome into our family took a shortcut to whatever lies beyond." Despite the tragic loss, James remained strong for his family and shared that sometimes, there is no explanation for why these things happen. However, the couple was blessed with a baby boy named Jeremiah in November 2021, after experiencing two late-term pregnancy losses in a row. James revealed that they had kept the news of their pregnancy quiet, and he was initially terrified when he found out.
Keep scrolling for an adorable look at James’ best moments with Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
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Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Darling Debut
He showed off his sleeping daughter Annabel on Instagram the following year.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Tiny Trio
James and Kimberly roadtripped with their three kids in March 2015.
Getting Crafty
Two months later, he built a birdhouse with Olivia and Joshua.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Nature Lovers
"Because hiking alone would just be too easy," the Pose star captioned a July 2015 Instagram post.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Happy Halloween
James held his daughter on his shoulders while rocking a pirate costume.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Pool Play
Emilia joined the Varsity Blues star's brood.
Fab Four
"It’s tough to stay #woke when you’re tired AF ... but I don’t think we’ll ever regret having made the effort," he captioned an October 2017 Instagram upload.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Birthday Boy
James celebrated his birthday in March 2018 with his family at his side.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Time to Travel
The family of seven hit the airport one month after Gwendolyn's arrival.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Strike
James bowled with his baby girls.
Family Photo
"As long as I keep having kids... I can keep dressing up on #Halloween right?" he wrote on Instagram in October 2018.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Happy Holidays
The Van Der Beeks posed for a pic at a Christmas tree farm.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Credit: ABC
Another One
James, Kimberly and their kids found out that baby No. 6 was on the way.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Special Partner
Back in November 2019, the devoted father took to Instagram to share a heartwarming video of himself teaching his daughter Annabel a Latin routine that he had previously performed on Dancing With the Stars. His caption read, "The effort put into learning the samba routine in week 6 was all worth it after seeing how much Annabel enjoyed it. She nailed every move perfectly!" The video captured the father-daughter duo executing the routine flawlessly, and it was met with an outpouring of love and adoration from fans and former DWTS contestants alike. Rumer Willis even commented on the post, gushing about how cute it was.
Feeling Festive
On Instagram, the former Dancing With the Stars contestant shared a photo of her kids looking effortlessly cool and wrote about how she spent a lot of energy during her early twenties trying to achieve the same level of coolness. She jokingly suggested that her kids must have been secretly taking all the coolness for themselves.
Credit: Courtesy Kimberly Van Der Beek/Instagram
Road to Recovery
James and Kimberly enjoyed an RV Christmas trip with their kids in December 2019, captioning an Instagram slideshow: “Got the bliss [we] asked for.”
Credit: Courtesy James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Credit: Courtesy James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Big Fans
The actor watched the Harlem Globetrotters with three of his kids in February 2020, writing, “Eight collective thumbs up from this crew.”
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Family Bonding
In March 2020, the Van Der Beeks decided to step outside with their children to get some much-needed fresh air. While they were outside, Olivia took on the task of pushing two of her siblings in a stroller while gracefully gliding along on her rollerblades.
Daddy’s Little Girl
James held onto his baby girl, who calmly rested her head on her daddy’s shoulder as she sucked on a pacifier.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Who Wore It Better?
James’ little one tried out her father’s bright orange hat.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Credit: Courtesy James Van Der Beek/Instagram (2)
Time to Sweat
The actor’s son shadowboxed beside him while he worked out in April 2020. “#quarantineworkout,” James captioned the Instagram video.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Busy With Books
Kimberly read to four of her kids while quarantining with the little ones in April 2020.
Hoppy Holidays
The Van Der Beeks celebrated “crazy, surreal” Easter in April 2020 at home amid the coronavirus spread.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Father’s Day Fun
“To the best Daddy on planet Earth, pinch me!” Kimberly captioned a June 2020 Instagram tribute to her husband. “Honoring you today and everyday.”
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Credit: Courtesy James Van Der Beek/Instagram
On the Move
In September 2020, James shared an Instagram slideshow with a caption that read, "Sometimes an enriched life begins with a quiet home. Leaving Los Angeles with immense gratitude for the friendships and memories we have created here. The next exciting adventure awaits!"
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
The Great Outdoors
During their road trip to their new home in Austin, Texas, the family made a pit stop at the Grand Canyon. Despite the chaos that had taken place in the past thirty years, the Grand Canyon remained unchanged. In October 2020, the family shared three photos on Instagram, which included their four dogs, two of which were puppies they had adopted before their big move. The caption read, "I visited #GrandCanyon when I was a kid. Was reminded today just how small we are, and how temporary our time here is. #MakeItCount." The breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon served as a reminder of the family's place in the world and the importance of making every moment count.
The Start of Something New
In October 2020, James shared photos of his family in Texas with the caption "We've landed." The actor shared their challenging year, which included his wife's miscarriages and his departure from DWTS. He explained that these experiences led to significant changes in their lives, dreams, and priorities, ultimately bringing them to where they are now. James expressed his immense gratitude for their journey.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Here for the Hikes
James and Gwendolyn smiled for a selfie while exploring with Joshua in January 2021.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Credit: Courtesy James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Bunny Love
The actor’s family shared their Easter hunt goodies with each other in April 2021 after running around their Texas home looking for colored eggs.
Credit: Courtesy James Van Der Beek/Instagram
All Dressed Up
The Van Der Beeks got all dolled up in May 2021 to attend a wedding in Austin where their daughters were all flower girls.
Play Time
James took his little ones to a community theater showing of Little Shop of Horrors in July 2021.
Credit: Laura Morsman Photography; Styling by Stephanie Coultress O’Neill/Estilo Boutique
Happy at Home
In July 2021, the family of seven posed at their Texas home for Austin Life.
Credit: Courtesy of Kimberly Van Der Beek/Instagram
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Surprise!
The couple posed for a selfie with their newborn son Jeremiah in November 2021.
Credit: Courtesy of Kimberly Van Der Beek/Instagram
Cold Cuties
“These family road trips are our medicine,” James captioned an Instagram photo of his bundled little ones in December 2021.
Warming Up
James snapped a “Hot Springs” Instagram Story selfie with three of his kids during a February 2022 road trip.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Van Life
“Boarding this sprinter van with my family to see my friends on the #dwtstour,” James captioned a February 2022 Instagram selfie.
Credit: Courtesy James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Group Selfie
James snapped a selfie with his brood in June 2022.
Credit: Courtesy James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Happy Birthday, Princess
The Dawson’s Creek alum took to social media on June 14, 2022, to wish his daughter Gwendolyn a happy 4th birthday.
The doting father concluded the tribute by calling his little one “a born comedienne” and a “thank you for being so sensational, kiddo. I love you.”
Credit: Courtesy of Kimberly Van Der Beek/Instagram
RV Life
James, Kimberly and their kids spent their 2022 summer vacation traveling cross-country in an RV.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Family Fun
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Summer Hiking
James and his boys enjoyed the scenery at California’s Mt. Shasta in August 2022.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
46 Years Around the Sun
On his 46th birthday in March 2023, James was surrounded by his six children and expressed his happiness with being more in touch with reverence and deference to time. He shared a series of pictures on Instagram with his family having fun and celebrated middle age.
