James Van Der Beek revealed a poignant connection between his daughter Olivia and Dawson’s Creek on her 15th birthday.
The 48-year-old actor, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year, pointed out that his eldest child is now the same age his character was at the beginning of Dawson’s Creek.
He previously starred as the leading character, Dawson Leery, for all six seasons from its debut in 1998 up until the finale in 2003.
Marking the momentous occasion, he shared a video of his daughter taking the stage with his former co-stars and penned a lengthy, gushing caption.
She was with the rest of their family at the recent Dawson’s Creek reunion — where she performed the show’s theme song, Paula Cole’s I Don’t Want to Wait — while Van Der Beek made a virtual appearance only due to illness.
‘My oldest turned 15 today,’ he said as he noted that was the ‘same age that Dawson was in the pilot.’
James Van Der Beek revealed a poignant connection between his daughter Olivia and Dawson’s Creek on her 15th birthday
The 48-year-old actor, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year, pointed out that his eldest child is now the same age his character was at the beginning of Dawson’s Creek
‘To watch you stand there in that red dress, so confidently taking center stage amidst all those people I’ve known so long and cherish so deeply… I’m just left in awe,’ he gushed.
He also opened up about watching his eldest child grow up and told her how ‘proud’ he is of her.
‘I’ve always joked that you came out “parent proof,” but this last year, as I’ve watched you accelerate into so many big decisions, jump into so many activities, budget your time, do your homework and your hair (which, from my point of view, seem to require roughly the same amount of time & focus)… the less I think the parent-proof thing is a joke,’ he wrote. ‘Of course, no one is perfect…’
He also shared a story about watching his daughter do ‘something remarkable’ which he said he hoped she ‘learned from’ him.
‘A few weeks again when you invited me to your first High School football game and informed me, on the way, how you’d screwed up just about every aspect of my ticket… and you felt me getting annoyed… you did something remarkable. Something I’d like to THINK you learned from me (but recognize that might be wishful thinking): You immediately took responsibility. Told me it was your first time doing all of it. Apologized succinctly, then did what you could to fix it.’
He added: ‘I was more proud of how you handled the mess-up than if you’d done it all perfectly the start.’
Then, he addressed his teenage daughter and shared a heartwarming message with words of wisdom.
‘Keep taking big swings, kiddo. Risk imperfection. Keep dreaming big and most importantly, be true to who you are. Because, while only YOU will know exactly who your most authentic self will be, as someone who’s known you your whole life… I can guarantee you’re going to love her,’ he wrote. ‘Happy birthday kiddo. I love you.’
She was with the rest of their family at the recent Dawson’s Creek reunion — where she performed the show’s theme song, Paula Cole’s I Don’t Want to Wait — while Van Der Beek made a virtual appearance only due to illness
Van Der Beek has been married to his wife Kimberly for 15 years
Together, the longtime couple share six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, six, and Jeremiah, two
Van Der Beek is currently battling stage 3 colon cancer, which he was diagnosed with in November 2024.
He recently made a surprise virtual appearance at the Dawson’s Creek reunion charity event on Monday. The day before, he skipped a live reading of the pilot episode, which was held in benefit of F Cancer, due to illness and ‘stomach viruses.’
While he was recovering from illness, Van Der Beek’s wife Kimberly attended the reunion alongside their children as she said it ‘was important to him we come.’
Van Der Beek has been married to his wife Kimberly for 15 years. Together, the longtime couple share six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, six, and Jeremiah, two.
He penned an emotional message to his fans earlier this week when he revealed he would be unable to attend the charity fundraiser and reunion event in person.
‘This is the evening I’d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January… So you can imagine how gutted I was when two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment,’ he shared in an Instagram post on Sunday.
‘Despite every effort … I won’t get to be there. I won’t get to stand on that stage and thank every soul in the theater for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most.’
He was replaced by Lin-Manuel Miranda as the understudy for the role of Dawson.
He previously starred as the leading character, Dawson Leery, for all six seasons from its debut in 1998 up until the finale in 2003; pictured from left to right in a 1997 portrait: Katie Holmes, James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson
While Van Der Beek was not able to join his family and his former co-stars at the live reading of the Dawson’s Creek pilot, he made a virtual cameo. ‘I can’t believe I’m not there,’ he said in a video, which sparked fan concern by his seemingly frail appearance
‘But I DO have an understudy,’ he shared in his post ahead of the event. ‘A ridiculously overqualified replacement who would have been #1 on my wishlist (had I ever dreamed he’d be available). Someone my kids would definitely consider an upgrade over me,’ he continued.
‘Everyone please enjoy all the love in that room. Shine some on my family. I will be beaming and receiving from afar in a bed in Austin.’
In addition to Williams, their castmates Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes were among those who attended.
While Van Der Beek was not able to join his family and his former co-stars at the live reading of the Dawson’s Creek pilot at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway, he made a virtual cameo at the event.
Williams, Holmes and Jackson played a prerecorded message from Van Der Beek and also surprised fans with even more stars joining them onstage.
‘I can’t believe I’m not there,’ he said in a video, which sparked fan concern by his seemingly frail appearance.
Van Der Beek is currently battling stage 3 colon cancer, which he was diagnosed with in November 2024
Back in November 2024, Van Der Beek spoke about his diagnosis and said he was feeling good. ‘Miracles do happen, and they happen all the time,’ he told People at the time
‘I can’t believe I don’t get to hug my castmates, my beautiful cast, in person, and I just wanted to stand on that stage and thank every single person in this theater for being here tonight — from the cast to the crew to everybody who donated their time and has been so generous. And especially every single last one of you. You’re the best fans in the world. Thank you for coming.’
Some of the stars in attendance to raise money for the charity fundraiser include: Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe and Busy Philipps.
Back in November 2024, Van Der Beek spoke about his diagnosis and said he was feeling good. ‘Miracles do happen, and they happen all the time,’ he told People at the time.
‘It’s scary at the onset. It’s overwhelming. Go easy on yourself. You got this.’
He added: ‘I’ve really been so blessed with my wife and kids. I’ve got a lot to live for, and it’s a beautiful life.’
