James Van Der Beek’s family is honoring the late actor with heartfelt words and memories. On March 8, his daughter Emilia shared a moving video on Instagram, offering advice to others coping with grief. Van Der Beek, best known for his role as Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek, died on February 11 at age 48 after battling colorectal cancer. He leaves behind his wife, Kimberly Brook, and their six children, ages 4 to 15.
Emilia’s Message of Healing
In the video, posted by Kimberly, Emilia spoke candidly about how she stays connected to her father.
“The number one thing for somebody’s passing is to talk to them and let your emotions out,” she said. “I talk to my dad every day. I start with a sentence, and I say, ‘Hi, Dad. I miss you and I love you so much, and I’ll never stop loving you.’”
She encouraged others to cry, speak openly, and avoid self-blame. “Blaming yourself, it’s not a good strategy for someone’s passing,” she explained. “Everybody has different emotions in their body, and they express it in different ways.”
Finding Comfort in Faith
Wearing her father’s hat, Emilia shared that she believes her dad is “in heaven above the clouds with God and the Lord.” She added, “You have to feel them in your heart, because they’re in your heart. They’re watching over you. They’re a part of your body and in a good place.”
She also recalled her father’s words about miracles: “Something my dad told me was if this doesn’t work out the way we wanted it to for him living, I still have to believe in miracles. Miracles can still happen, just later on in life.”
Remembering a Beloved Actor
Van Der Beek rose to fame in the late 1990s with Dawson’s Creek and went on to star in films like Varsity Blues and compete on Dancing With the Stars. His career spanned decades, but his family life remained central.
Kimberly’s caption noted that Emilia asked her to share the video publicly. The tribute resonated with fans, many of whom expressed admiration for the young girl’s strength and wisdom.As the family continues to grieve, Emilia’s words serve as a reminder of resilience, love, and the enduring bond between parent and child.
