James Van Der Beek Kids: Meet the Actor's Children by Wife Kimberly

If there is one thing that makes James Van Der Beek the proudest, it’s the role he plays as the dad of his five kids. The beloved Dawson’s Creek alum became a father for the first time in 2010 after he and Kimberly Brook welcomed their first child, Olivia.

Since then, the Varsity Blues hunk and his gorgeous wife have become the parents of five little bundles of joy. In October 2013, James — who is also the dad of Joshua, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn — opened up about the transition of becoming a parent.

“I think fatherhood changes you from the inside out,” James gushed to People at the time. “It’s not this thing where you think, ‘Oh, I have to be responsible, I have to take more on.’ You just want to, almost automatically.”

While James and Kimberly, who tied the knot in 2010, have enjoyed tons of amazing memories with their big brood, they’ve also experienced their fair share of struggles. In October 2019, the Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 actor revealed his wife previously suffered three miscarriages while trying for baby No. 6. James shared the news while announcing they were pregnant again.

The Dancing With the Stars alum gave fans a heartbreaking update the following month in November 2019. During an episode of the hit CBS reality competition, James informed viewers that his wife miscarried for a fourth time.

“My wife Kimberly went through every expectant parent’s worst nightmare. We lost the baby,” the mourning father explained on live TV. “The little soul that we had expected to welcome into our family took a shortcut to whatever lies beyond. You never know why these things happen. That’s what I’ve been telling my kids.”

Seven months later, James revealed his auburn-haired beauty lost a fifth pregnancy in June 2020. “Once again, 17 weeks in,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “The soul we’d been excited to welcome into the world had lessons for our family that did not include joining us in a living physical body.”

Despite the heartbreak, James and Kimberly couldn’t feel more grateful for their five beautiful children.

Scroll through the gallery below to learn everything about the couple’s kids!

Olivia Van Der Beek

The actor and his producer wife became parents after welcoming their first child, daughter Olivia, on September 25, 2010. In 2018, the proud papa shared an adorable photo holding his eldest child and credited Olivia for teaching him all that he knows about being a good dad.

“Seven years into #parenthood, I’m realizing more and more that all that really matters … are the moments of connection,” James gushed on Instagram. “So when they happen, give yourself permission to wipe everything off the table and be 100 percent fully present for them. They’ll make the days happier, and the years worthwhile.”

Joshua Van Der Beek

James and Kimberly welcomed their second child, son Joshua, on March 13, 2012. Not long after becoming a dad of two, the handsome hunk opened up about welcoming his first son.

“I’m just in love,” James gushed to Us Weekly at the time, adding that he “absolutely” adores being a father. “You don’t realize it until it actually happens and then it’s like, ‘Oh, that’s what they were talking about.'”

Annabel Leah Van Der Beek

Kim and James welcomed their third baby, daughter Annabel, on January 25, 2014. Being the father to so many kiddos must be confusing at times, especially when your little ones look so alike! In 2019, The Rules of Attraction actor shared a throwback photo of one of his children and admitted that he had no idea who it was.

“Came across this pic today,” James wrote in the caption. “If I’m being completely honest… I have no idea which kid this is. But reasonably sure it’s mine.” After some detective work, he realized that the baby in the pic was Annabel thanks to the time stamp.

Emilia Van Der Beek

The loving couple welcomed their fourth child, daughter Emilia, in March 23, 2016. Twelve months later, James shared the first-ever photo of his youngest child to mark her 1st birthday. “One year ago today, I got to meet this sweet, determined, magical little soul,” he captioned a sweet shot of his baby girl.

“Just when I thought nobody could follow my other girls… along came Emilia. Never ceases to amaze me just how much a child can expand your heart. #OrHowIncredibleMyWifeIs #blessed #grateful,” the actor concluded.

Gwendolyn Van Der Beek

James and Kimberly welcomed their fifth child, daughter Gwendolyn, on June 15, 2018. “Every child awakens a different energy in you … and this one has been bringing up the truth ever since we found out she was on her way,” the actor said in a statement on the day of her birth. Like her older siblings Emilia, Annabel and Josh, Gwendolyn was born at their home with a doctor and midwife on-hand. The couple’s oldest child, Olivia, was born in a hospital.

Prior to welcoming their fifth child, James and Kimberly candidly revealed that she suffered three miscarriages when first starting out their family.