James Van Der Beek’s heartfelt words about his family have come to light following the Dawson’s Creek star’s death at 48.
The actor shared that his brood felt complete after he and his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek welcomed their sixth child, Jeremiah, in October 2021.
“He’s really been a blessing,” the actor told People in an interview that took place in November 2022, but was published on Friday, February 13, in the wake of his death.
“I mean, this is going to sound weird, but when he arrived, we honestly just thought, ‘Oh my God, how did we exist without him?’ Which is insane because we had five children before that,” James, who died on Wednesday, February 11, after a battle with stage III colorectal cancer, told the outlet at the time.
He added, “But given everything we went through leading up to him, the fact that he was a boy just felt so healing for us.”
In addition to Jeremiah, James and Kimberly shared Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, and Gwendolyn, 7. The couple also suffered pregnancy losses in 2019 and 2020 before welcoming “rainbow baby” Jeremiah.
“He anchors the family in a really beautiful way. The girls all dote on him. My son as a brother. And yeah, it’s just magical happy little king booty boy that gets everything he wants,” James continued. “And is not afraid to demand it.”
James often spoke about how much his family meant to him. To mark his 48th birthday in March 2025, the Varsity Blues star reflected on facing his mortality since his cancer diagnosis and how his health journey has impacted his family.
Describing the previous 12 months as “the hardest year of my life,” James said the cancer threw his vision of himself into disarray.
“When I was younger I used to define myself as an actor, which was never really all that fulfilling. And then I became a husband and that was much better. And then I became a father and that was the ultimate,” he explained, adding that he saw himself as a “loving, capable, strong, supportive husband, father, provider, steward of the land.”
When he became physically unable to fulfil some of those roles due to his illness, James said he began questioning his purpose.
“And then this year, I had to look my own mortality in the eye. I came nose to nose with death,” he continued. “All of those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me. I was away for treatment so I could no longer be a husband who was helpful to my wife. I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them.”
James ended the video by sharing his conclusion that he was still worthy of self-love despite his life circumstances changing.
In November 2025, James once again reflected on his “tough year” and expressed gratitude for his wife, kids and other loved ones for their unwavering support throughout his difficult health journey.
“I’m more grateful than ever to my super human wife who has shown up on levels I never knew possible. Who has shown me what unconditional love is and the magic that comes from that. I am in awe of you, @vanderkimberly,” he wrote via Instagram at the time.
Turning his attention to the couple’s children, Van Der Beek continued, “And of course, I’m beyond thankful [for] the little blond army of hearts who keep me present, active, and inspired just by being you. I love you guys beyond.”
