By Mohamed 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 Dawson’s Creek alum and Kimberly Van Der Beek wed in 2010 and welcomed Olivia that same year. Their daughter became a big sister two years later when Joshua arrived, followed by Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn.
Shortly after telling Us Weekly in October 2019 that he and his wife were open to having another child, the actor announced that baby No. 6 was on the way. However, he revealed one month later that Kimberly suffered a pregnancy loss. She experienced another miscarriage in June 2020.
The couple secretly welcomed their rainbow baby, a son named Jeremiah, in November 2021. “After experiencing late-term #pregnancyloss twice in a row (both at 17+ weeks), we kept this one quiet,” James explained via Instagram at the time. “Truthfully, I was terrified when I found out.”
In November 2024, Van Der Beek revealed via Instagram that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, writing, “Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support.”
Keep scrolling for an adorable look at James’ best moments with his wife and six kids:
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Father-Son Time
The actor took a scenic walk with his son in October 2013.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Darling Debut
He showed off his sleeping daughter Annabel on Instagram the following year.
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Tiny Trio
James and Kimberly roadtripped with their three kids in March 2015.
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Getting Crafty
Two months later, he built a birdhouse with Olivia and Joshua.
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Nature Lovers
"Because hiking alone would just be too easy," the Pose star captioned a July 2015 Instagram post.
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Beach Buds
He was all smiles in the sun with his wife and kids in October 2016.
Credit: Courtesy of James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Happy Halloween
James held his daughter on his shoulders while rocking a pirate costume.
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Pool Play
Emilia joined the Varsity Blues star's brood.
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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.
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Birthday Boy
James celebrated his birthday in March 2018 with his family at his side.
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Inside Look
He documented Kimberly's June 2018 home birth on social media, placenta and all.
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Time to Travel
The family of seven hit the airport one month after Gwendolyn's arrival.
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Strike
James bowled with his baby girls.
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Family Photo
"As long as I keep having kids… I can keep dressing up on #Halloween right?" he wrote on Instagram in October 2018.
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Happy Holidays
The Van Der Beeks posed for a pic at a Christmas tree farm.
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Vacation
They took a family trip in January 2019.
Credit: ABC
Another One
James, Kimberly and their kids found out that baby No. 6 was on the way.
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Special Partner
In November 2019, the doting dad shared a sweet video on Instagram that showed him teaching his daughter Annabel a Latin routine that he'd performed on Dancing With the Stars. "The request to re-create week 6’s samba made how hard it was to learn 100% worth it – and then some," he captioned the adorable video that showed him on his knees alongside his daughter as they executed the moves perfectly. "This is the cutest thing ever," former DWTS contestant Rumer Willis commented on the post.
Credit: Courtesy James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Feeling Festive
"I spent a lot of energy at photo shoots in my early twenties trying desperately to look half as cool as any one of my kids do in this photo," the former Dancing With the Stars contestant wrote on Instagram just before the December 2019 holidays. “Clearly, they must’ve been lying in wait that whole time… siphoning off all that cool 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.”
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Super Bowl Sunday
His brood dressed for the championship game in January 2020.
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Big Fans
The actor watched the Harlem Globetrotters with three of his kids in February 2020, writing, “Eight collective thumbs up from this crew.”
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Family Bonding
The Van Der Beeks took their children outside for some fresh air in March 2020. During their time outdoors, Olivia sweetly pushed two of her siblings in a stroller while on rollerblades.
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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.
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Who Wore It Better?
James’ little one tried out her father’s bright orange hat.
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Catch Her If You Can!
The Dancing With the Star alum tried to catch his daughter, who boasted a messy face after eating. She kept dodging his attempts to clean her up. “Can I wash your face?” he asked his child.
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Time to Sweat
The actor’s son shadowboxed beside him while he worked out in April 2020. “#quarantineworkout,” James captioned the Instagram video.
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Busy With Books
Kimberly read to four of her kids while quarantining with the little ones in April 2020.
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Hoppy Holidays
The Van Der Beeks celebrated “crazy, surreal” Easter in April 2020 at home amid the coronavirus spread.
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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.”
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Beach Brood
The actor spent a day at the beach with his family in September 2020, writing via Instagram: "I don’t think I’ll ever look back and wish I’d spent LESS time with my kids.”
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On the Move
"Sometimes a fuller life begins with an empty house,” James captioned a September 2020 Instagram slideshow. "Leaving Los Angeles incredibly grateful for all the friends and memories we’ve made here. Onto the next big adventure!"
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The Great Outdoors
The family checked out the Grand Canyon as they took a road trip on their way to their new home in Austin, Texas. "I visited #GrandCanyon when I was a kid. And despite the chaos of the past thirty years… she’s still there. Unchanged by all the stupid stuff we’ve been up to," he captioned three photos on Instagram in October 2020 that showed the family and their four dogs, including two puppies they adopted before their big move. "Was reminded today just how small we are, and how temporary our time here is. #MakeItCount."
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The Start of Something New
"We've landed," James captioned October 2020 photos of his family in Texas. The actor detailed their tumultuous year, from his wife's two miscarriages to his DWTS departure, writing, "All of that led to some drastic changes in our lives, and dreams, and priorities … and landed us here. Overflowing with profound gratitude today."
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Here for the Hikes
James and Gwendolyn smiled for a selfie while exploring with Joshua in January 2021.
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Winter Wonderland
James documented his family's first snow day in Texas in January 2021, writing via Instagram: "In the midst of all this man-made chaos, Mother Nature dropped a little bit of magic."
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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.
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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.
Credit: Courtesy James Van Der Beek/Instagram
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
Behind the Wheel
Kimberly showed her family’s “spectacularly beautiful” trip to Arkansas in August 2021. "Diving into nature with the kids has been incredibly healing and invigorating,” she gushed via Instagram.
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Surprise!
The couple posed for a selfie with their newborn son Jeremiah in November 2021.
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Cold Cuties
“These family road trips are our medicine,” James captioned an Instagram photo of his bundled little ones in December 2021.
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Warming Up
James snapped a “Hot Springs” Instagram Story selfie with three of his kids during a February 2022 road trip.
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Van Life
“Boarding this sprinter van with my family to see my friends on the #dwtstour,” James captioned a February 2022 Instagram selfie.
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Pleasant Surprise
James told his Instagram followers in April 2022 that he and Kimberly were “done” having kids before Jeremiah’s arrival, writing, “Fortunately, this chunky little angel knew better.”
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Group Selfie
James snapped a selfie with his brood in June 2022.
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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.
“Four years old today. You’re such a big personality, and you command so much of the world around you that I’m often surprised when I pick you up — you’re still so small,” Van Der Beek captioned a carousel of images via Instagram of himself and his daughter.
He continued: “You teach me patience on the daily, along with the importance of living unabashedly [in] the moment and doing that which brings you joy. Your assertiveness makes me remember how it’s possible to live when I get too in my head and forget to indulge the simple joys life puts in our path."
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
The couple brought their kids on a family trip to Four Corners Monument Navajo Tribal Park in New Mexico.
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
James celebrated his 46th birthday in March 2023 surrounded by his six children. “Recently, I’ve found myself happier the more I’m in touch with reverence, and deference to time. Yes, it CAN be stretched. It can fly …” he wrote via Instagram. The former WB star shared a series of pictures with his family goofing off on his special day, adding, “Middle-age rocks.”
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Growing Up
James took to social media in October 2023 to celebrate youngest son Jeremiah's second birthday, sharing that he and Kimberly had “closed the birth portal” but the toddler “came kicking down the door” in his “signature style.”
“We needed you. And you knew it,” James wrote via Instagram alongside photos of Jeremiah since his birth. “Grateful every day for you, bubs. You’re a toy-throwing, football-loving little Texas dude, a class A++ snuggler, and getting to experience life from your point of view has made me fall in love with the world in a whole new way.”
James named all his favorite parts of Jeremiah — his “decisions and agendas” and “belly laughs” especially — calling him the “best thing in the universe.”
“Thank you for teaching me what it is to live life with unapologetic joy, and hopeful abandon,” James continued, concluding his heartfelt tribute with a call to action: “Can we maybe try sleeping through the night night, now? The whole night? Like, ALL the way through? 🙏.
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Happy Halloween
James and his family looked nothing short of spooky on Halloween in October 2023. “I believe it’s healthy to dress up and play make-believe every once in a while. To step into someone else’s shoes and dance within new energetics,” James captioned Instagram pics of their trick-or-treating adventures. “Even if you’re not insane enough to try to make a career out of acting, I personally believe everyone can benefit from trying on a different personality for a night.”
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Milestone Achievement
James’ family was by his side when he spoke at Drew University’s May 2024 commencement ceremony and received an honorary degree from his alma mater. “Deeply humbled and grateful to have closed a loop I hadn’t even realized needed closer. Life is crazy … and beautiful,” he captioned an Instagram montage of pics and clips from his big day.
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Proud Papa
James celebrated Father's Day in June 2024 by posing for a group photo with all of his kids. “To all the dads out there … doing your best on less sleep than you need, digging into those patience reserves, learning on the job and juggling a zillion agendas … I feel you,” he wrote via Instagram. “And I salute you. May we all find the energy to appreciate the victories and the capacity to forgive ourselves along the way.”
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Spooky Celebrations
While celebrating Halloween in October 2024, James made sure the whole family participated in wearing unique costumes.
“I made all my own costumes growing up. Didn’t really have a choice. But I loved it,” he wrote via Instagram at the time. “Should probably have been the first warning sign to my parents that I would end up an actor 😂.”
Credit: Courtesy of Kimberly Van Der Beek/Instagram
Family Getaways
After school was dismissed for summer, James and Kimberly packed their bags and headed to the Sunshine State with their kids.
“We ready for you Florida!” Kimberly wrote via Instagram in June 2025 with a family photo. “Excited to go see family! 💕🫶🏼.”
