James Van Der Beek honors father and daughter on shared birthday

According to People, James Van Der Beek celebrated his daughter Annabel, who turned 12, and his father — both named James — with an Instagram tribute on Sunday, Jan 25.

In the post he wrote that at first the two seemed different, but as they’ve evolved he can "recognize the same open, warm, loving, gentle heart," and praised their creativity, originality and sense of humor. He added, "You are marvels… and I’m so insanely grateful to have you in my life," concluding that "The world is a better place because the two of you are in it. Happy birthday, guys. I love you with all my heart ❤️."

Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, are parents to six children — daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah — and he has previously said he has been "privately dealing" with a colorectal cancer diagnosis since November 2024, taking steps to address it with his family's support and feeling optimistic about his health journey.

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Culture, Dawson's Creek, Varsity Blues, Colorectal Cancer, Instagram