James Van Der Beek rose to fame as an actor, but one of his favorite roles to date is that of a proud father.

The “Dawson’s Creek” star and his wife, producer and actress Kimberly Van Der Beek, are parents to six children and often share glimpses of their family life on social media.

James Van Der Beek said “Hello America” in 2023, becoming a dad is “the craziest thing I’ve ever done” and also “the thing that made me the happiest”.

When James Van Der Beek shared on social media in November that he had been diagnosed with cancer, he also shared it alongside a photo of himself with one of his beloved daughters.

Get to know the actor and his family below.

Kimberly Van Der Beek

James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly were married in August 2010.

The couple celebrated their 14 years together with affectionate messages on Instagram.

“14 years… I always say it doesn’t seem that long. You always say it does Nothing could have prepared us for the past year – except maybe the previous 12,” James Van Der Beek wrote in party in a August article. “Thank you for being the most incredible partner. You have opened me up in places I didn’t even know were locked, and you have taught me to receive more love than I thought possible. “

“Happy birthday to the love of my life @vanderjames. 14 years baby!” his wife also wrote in it own post.

Olivia

The Van Der Beeks welcomed their eldest, a daughter named Olivia, in 2010.

In February 2024, Olivia performed on “We Are Family,” singing a duet with her father to Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance.”

James Van Der Beek called himself a ‘very proud dad’ behind the scenes video post with Olivia.

“So proud of my baby girl. And I call her that because when I looked at her tonight all I could see was the newborn in the crib I couldn’t stop to watch in awe,” he added in the accompanying caption.

Joshua

Joshua is the second eldest of the Van Der Beek children and his parents’ first son.

In a party birthday messageJames Van Der Beek has called his son Joshua a “playful spirit” that makes him a “better person”.

“You make me laugh, you make me think, you make me a better person,” he wrote in part. “Wise beyond your years and yet an eternally cheerful spirit… You are kind, fair, caring, and your view of the world always adds a new dimension that I would never have recognized on my own.”

Annabel

Annabel is the third of Van Der Beek’s children and shares the same January birthday as her paternal grandfather, James Van Der Beek’s father.

“I would say ‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ but… there’s Annabel. You definitely deserve that she was born on your birthday. I love you,” James Van Der Beek wrote in part in a message from 2022. Instagram post marking this special day.

Emilie

James and Kimberly Van Der Beek welcomed another daughter named Emilia in March 2016.

James Van Der Beek shared throwback photos to celebrate Emilia’s birthday in March and called her an “old soul.”

“I would love to think that your innate wisdom, inner strength, and sense of humor come from me, but I believe that you channel your magic from deep within the heart of all that is good in the universe,” a -he writes in part in a Instagram caption.

Gwendoline

James Van Der Beek announced the arrival of his daughter Gwendolyn in June 2018 Instagram post marking Father’s Day and advocating for families separated by America’s borders.

“I’m thrilled to announce that we welcomed a brand new baby girl Friday morning, just in time for #Father’s Day,” the father wrote at the time.

“My heart ached over something. As I write this, children are being torn from their parents’ arms. By our government. …And it wouldn’t be honest to speak poetically about my happiness at newborn without talking about it against this atrocity,” he added.

Jeremiah

The youngest of the Van Der Beek brood is Jeremiah, who celebrates his birthday in October.

“We had no idea how much we needed you. But YOU did. You are once again proof that children come into the world with what is unique to them; their own essence, their appetite and their personality, and you have never hesitated to let us know exactly who you are and what you want,” the father of six wrote in part in a Instagram post.

“Thank you for all the unique ways you challenge me (quite a feat after five kids ), and thank you for being the best hugger on the planet. We love you bubs. Beyond grateful to have these loops in my life and to become your father.”