The actor and his wife have consistently been pillars of strength for one another during life’s toughest moments. Together, they’ve openly addressed their challenges, including the actor’s recent and deeply personal revelation about his health.
James Van Der Beek praises his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, for her unwavering support, while fans admire her beauty. Married for over a decade, they share six children and have endured several pregnancy losses together.
James’ recent announcement revealed the resilience he and Kimberly embody as they navigate life’s challenges. In November 2024, the actor revealed on Instagram that he had been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. “It is cancer…” he began, explaining his desire to share his story to raise awareness.
Originally planning to speak through People magazine, James felt pressured to address the diagnosis sooner after learning a tabloid intended to release the news. “I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before. I’m in a good place and feeling strong,” he assured his followers.
James described the journey as “quite the initiation” and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. “We roll with it, taking each surprise as a signpost, pointing us toward a greater destiny,” he shared, vowing to tell more of his story when the time is right.
The Hollywood star later shared more details about his diagnosis in an interview, revealing, “I have colorectal cancer.” Despite the gravity of the news, he remained hopeful, stating, “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.” According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum, key parts of the large intestine in the digestive system.
Recently, James took to Instagram to express heartfelt gratitude to Kimberly for her firm support during his cancer journey. “[..] I’m more grateful than ever to my superhuman wife who has shown up on levels I never knew possible,” he wrote, calling her a shining example of “unconditional love” and its transformative power.
Reflecting on their love story in August 2020, the “Dawson’s Creek” alum shared how fate brought them together a decade earlier. He recalled being in Israel, ready to find a soulmate and build a family, when Kimberly interrupted a conversation, catching his attention immediately.
James and Kimberly Van Der Beek attend the premiere of “Room 104,” 2017 | Source: Getty Images
“I turned around… it was @vanderkimberly,” he wrote. Despite her initial reluctance toward a relationship, they quickly fell in love.
Kimberly and James Van Der Beek attend the New York premiere of “Pose,” 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Within six months, they were living together, and shortly after, they were expecting their first child. Almost one year to the day of their first meeting, they were married in 2010 in the basement of the Kabbalah Centre in Tel Aviv. James described the journey as nothing short of destiny.
James celebrated 14 years of marriage to Kimberly with a heartfelt Instagram post in August 2024, reflecting on their journey together. He acknowledged the challenges of the past year and how their previous years together had prepared them for the obstacles they faced.
The Connecticut native praised Kimberly’s strength and courage, thanking her for profoundly impacting his life and teaching him “how to receive more love than I thought possible.” He expressed deep gratitude for their partnership and excitement for their future.
Kimberly and James Van Der Beek at the special screening of “Skin” on July 11, 2019, in Hollywood. | Source: Getty Images
James and Kimberly, proud parents to six children—Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, and Jeremiah—faced a harrowing road to parenthood marked by five miscarriages.
In a May 2021 interview with “Entertainment Tonight,” Kimberly revealed the depth of their struggles, including two life-threatening losses that occurred within seven months. “The last two were significant in that they hospitalized me. Those were incredibly difficult, emotionally and physically,” she divulged, recalling the darkness of those moments.
“I just felt like I was going to pass. I didn’t know that I was going to live through it.” She described James’s steadfast support during those times, saying, “He was there giving me comfort, and love, yeah, just a rock.”
In another interview, the couple opened up about the near-death experience Kimberly endured during back-to-back pregnancy losses at 17½ weeks in November 2019 and June 2020. “My life was on the line,” she said, explaining how life-saving blood transfusions made her survival possible. “Without them, I probably would not be here.”
Building on their openness about loss, James addressed the topic of miscarriage on Instagram, advocating for a shift in how it is perceived. He wrote that the term “miscarriage” unfairly implies failure, but “these things sometimes just happen.” James highlighted the need to remove the stigma surrounding such losses and encouraged others to give themselves “the time and space to grieve.”
After enduring so much as a family, James and Kimberly decided it was time for a fresh start. In 2020, they left Los Angeles behind and moved to a 36-acre property near Austin, Texas, to embrace a quieter, more expansive lifestyle. “Sometimes a fuller life begins with an empty house,” James shared on Instagram.
Kimberly echoed this sentiment in an Instagram Live post, “It was just really, really necessary for us,” as Texas provided the space and peace their family needed to thrive.
In a May 2023 interview, James emphasized the importance of outdoor play with his six children, calling it “the antidote to getting on a screen.” Partnering with Quaker Chewy for their Play Pledge, he shared how their Texas home provides ample space for activities like kicking a ball around and connecting with nature.
“We’re lucky enough to have the space,” he said, adding that watching his kids embrace outdoor adventures, like making fires at a nature camp, has been especially rewarding. While cherishing moments of play and sibling bonding, James also acknowledged the challenges of parenting, particularly with sleep schedules for their youngest.
He reflected on the individuality of each child, “You think we would have gotten better at having kids sleep through the night,” but admitted parenting remains unpredictable. “It’s humbling,” he said, as even with six kids raised in the same house, no two are the same, and chaos is inevitable at times.
In addition to his reflections on family life, James has also found joy in watching Kimberly pursue her passions through her podcast, “Bathroom Chronicles.” Formerly a film producer, Kimberly now creates a space for connection and honesty.
“I’m just so proud of her and the space that she’s creating,” he said, praising her ability to foster friendship and curiosity. Alongside celebrating Kimberly’s accomplishments, James often shares glimpses of their family life on social media, sparking admiration from fans.
“Such a beautiful family,” one follower wrote, while others praised Kimberly’s looks, saying, “She is stunning!” and “She is a goddess,” Another highlighted the couple’s connection, commenting, “Beautiful couple.”
James Van Der Beek and Kimberly’s journey shows the power of love, growth, and the strength of family. Together, they continue to inspire others by sharing their lives with honesty, openness, and an unwavering commitment to one another.
