James Van Der Beek relocated his family to a new city during the height of the pandemic. They’ve since settled in, and are now focusing on supporting the actor as he battles a serious illness.
In November 2024, actor James Van Der Beek shared troubling news about his health, revealing that he’s fighting cancer. Fortunately, he isn’t facing the disease alone, as he has the support of his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.
Opening up about his diagnosis, the 47-year-old star confessed, “I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.”
“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” he added. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer starts in the rectum or colon, parts of the large intestine within the digestive system.
Taking to her Instagram Story, Kimberly expressed her support for her husband in a heartfelt post. Over the post, set to Sneha’s “So This Is Love,” she tagged her husband and wrote, “Hi baby.”
With a picture of two Northern Cardinals feeding each other, the actor’s wife appeared to draw a parallel between themselves and the birds. The post read, “Northern Cardinals, the ‘romantic’ birds that mate for life, travel together, sing before nesting, and feed each other seed beak-to-beak during courtship.”
Kimberly Van Der Beek’s message of support to her husband in November 2024 | Source: Instagram Story/vanderkimberly
Meanwhile, James is facing his diagnosis in the Texas home that he and Kimberly leased during the height of the pandemic.
Moving to Texas
On September 30, 2020, amid the pandemic, James shared Instagram images of the new house his family moved into in Texas. His wife and children gathered around a tree in one picture.
In another, he and Kimberly posed in front of the fireplace; and the last photo showed some of the children sitting in an empty kitchen.
James and Kimberly Van Der Beek in the Texas home in a post uploaded on September 30, 2020 | Source: Instagram/vanderjames
James Van Der Beek’s children in the Texas home in a post uploaded on September 30, 2020 | Source: Instagram/vanderjames
The actor captioned the post, “Sometimes a fuller life begins with an empty house.” He continued, “Leaving Los Angeles incredibly grateful for all the friends and memories we’ve made here. Onto the next big adventure! ❤️😊”
In another post, the star appeared in the kitchen as his wife noted he was cooking dinner while holding one of their toddlers.
The following month, Kimberly shared an Instagram video of herself discussing the move, which then included only five children and a few puppies.
She explained she was exhausted from managing the move, looking after the children, and living through the COVID-19 pandemic. Kimberly expressed her love for Texas while noting that Los Angeles and Beverly Hills had treated them well during their time there, providing easy access to amenities.
James and Kimberly Van Der Beek in their old home in a post from May 19, 2014 | Source: YouTube/People
“But it was feeling really tight for a family of five kids. We had a pretty modest-sized backyard, no real grass to like scoot on or ride bikes,” she added. They moved there to be close to the local park, but unfortunately, the children couldn’t climb trees, ride bikes or scooters, or play ball due to the concrete surroundings.
Kimberly felt they were restricted and found that Texas offered the space they needed for their growing family. She appreciated that their new home sat on 36 acres and was beautiful.
The views from the Van Der Beek’s Texas land in a post uploaded on October 14, 2020 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
The plan was to try Texas for a year, with the house owners allowing them freedom to make it their own. Kimberly shared that she’d been trying to convince James to leave Los Angeles for years, but his work commitments made it difficult.
With the pandemic, they realized much could be done digitally. Initially, they considered moving to an area outside Atlanta, but Kimberly had three consecutive dreams encouraging her to move to Texas.
The Van Der Beek’s Texas land in a post uploaded on October 14, 2020 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
Before moving, she asked the universe for a sign, which came when a friend opened the door wearing a red cap with “Texas” on it, and then came the dreams. The couple decided to visit Texas for their tenth anniversary to explore the area and fell in love with it.
They began turning the property into a family compound, with Kimberly’s then-pregnant sister and her husband moving in as well. Alongside the expansive land in Spicewood, Texas, the Van Der Beeks also have their own private barn. Here’s a glimpse of their home.
What James’s House Looks Like Outside
In December 2020, the exterior of the house appeared in an Instagram post by James. His wife was seen riding a four-wheeler with one of their children, with wooden buildings visible in the background.
On August 1, 2021, which was also James and Kimberly’s 11th wedding anniversary, their family graced the cover of “Austin Life” magazine, showcasing their new home. By Mother’s Day 2023, the couple had welcomed their sixth child!
The star honored his wife by sharing several Instagram pictures of her pregnancy and their youngest child at their new Texas house.
In June of that year, she shared part of the stunning outdoor living space, which includes their swimming pool.
James Van Der Beek with one of his children at the Texas home in a post from June 3, 2023 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
One photo showed her husband tossing one of their children into the air by the pool.
In 2024, on James’s birthday, which coincided with International Women’s Day, Kimberly celebrated him by sharing various photos of the two of them.
Kimberly and James Van Der Beek in a post from March 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
One of the photos captured them posing together outdoors.
James Van Der Beek and his children at his Texas home on April 5, 2024 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
In April, fans got a glimpse of Texas sunsets through Kimberly’s post, which also showcased the children riding their bikes on the property.
The family also enjoys long walks on the property, as seen in a Father’s Day post in 2024 dedicated to the father of six.
James Van Der Beek walking with his children on June 17, 2024 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
Embracing her country roots, Kimberly began gardening and raising three Heritage Welsummers chicks on the land.
During spring, the ranch came alive with vibrant flowers.
The family’s dogs also thrived on the property, growing bigger by the day.
The Van Der Beek children even got to play with their neighbors’ horses.
For Halloween each year, James and his children dress up and pose outdoors to showcase their costumes.
And on some evenings, the family gathers around a fire to spend quality time together.
Besides the pool, the backyard also features a tram overlooking the Pedernales River.
The grounds also include caretaker quarters and guest cabins, while the main house has a wooden deck, spa, and built-in barbecue. Now, let’s take a look inside.
What James’s House Looks Like Inside
Over the years, James and Kimberly have shared glimpses of the home’s interior on Instagram.
For instance, in March 2021, the actor posted photos in the kitchen, and the brick-walled bathroom appeared in a 2023 Mother’s Day post.
Kimberly Van Der Beek and her baby in the bathroom of her Texas home in a post uploaded on May 14, 2023 | Source: Intagram/vanderjames
When Kimberly celebrated her youngest child’s birthday in October 2024, she shared several images showcasing the interior of their Texas home.
In one post, a little girl was seen in what appeared to be a sitting area.
The star’s wife mentioned that their new location offered warm winds, walks on the driveway, and the chance to feed kitchen scraps to their chickens.
One photo also showed James and Kimberly’s bedroom.
Based on various posts, it seems they have a bookshelf as well.
One of the Van Der Beek children playing with a dog in a post uploaded on June 7, 2021 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
Wood is a dominant feature throughout the property, even appearing in one of their toilets.
The house includes a mudroom, and James shared some 2023 renovations.
Renovations on the Van Der Beek Texas home on May 10, 2023 | Source: Instagram/vanderjames
Renovations on the Van Der Beek Texas home on May 10, 2023 | Source: Instagram/vanderjames
Renovations on the Van Der Beek Texas home on May 10, 2023 | Source: Instagram/vanderjames
One highlight of their Texas life, as Kimberly shared, was, “I’ll tell you a secret: This cost less than it cost to live in Beverly Hills.”
Kimberly Van Der Beek in her Texas home on April 14, 2022 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
James Van Der Beek speaking in his Texas home on April 14, 2022 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
Their 5,149-square-foot Mediterranean-style home has five bedrooms and 3,134 square feet of living space.
Inside the Van Der Beek home in Texas on January 2, 2021 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
Inside the Van Der Beek home in Texas on January 2, 2021 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
Inside the Van Der Beek home in Texas on January 2, 2021 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
Inside the Van Der Beek home in Texas on January 2, 2021 | Source: Instagram/vanderkimberly
The floor plan includes a spacious living room and three additional bedrooms.
According to the previous listing, it’s ideal for those looking to “channel your ‘hippie cowboy.'” hopes that the fresh country air helps James Van Der Beek in his healing journey.
