Dad's Heartfelt Tribute to Daughter & Father on Joint Birthday

Actor James Van Der Beek recently celebrated a unique family milestone, marking the joint birthday of his daughter Annabel and his father. Annabel turned 12 years old on Sunday, January 25th, sharing her special day with her paternal grandfather, who also bears the name James.

Van Der Beek posted a touching tribute on Instagram, accompanied by photos of Annabel with him and her grandfather. He initially noted their apparent differences but recognized their shared qualities as they've grown. He praised their open, warm, loving, and gentle hearts, noting their care and dedication to loved ones.

The actor further highlighted their shared creativity, originality, and excellent sense of humor. He marveled at their ability to remain tender and genuinely good in a challenging world. Van Der Beek concluded his message by expressing profound gratitude for their presence in his life, stating the world is improved by them.

Van Der Beek, 48, and his wife Kimberly are parents to six children: Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, and Jeremiah. He previously spoke to PEOPLE in 2013 about how fatherhood transformed him, leading to a willing trade-off of personal time for family. Kimberly also shared in 2019 how their large family life meant simpler date nights at home.

This family support became particularly crucial in November 2024, when Van Der Beek privately dealt with a colorectal cancer diagnosis. He announced at the time that he was taking steps to resolve the illness, with strong support from his family, and expressed optimism about his health journey.