Emilia Van Der Beek, the nine-year-old daughter of the late actor James Van Der Beek, opened up about her grief in a heartfelt video tribute shared on what would have been her father’s 49th birthday on March 8.
Touching Birthday Message
Filmed outdoors while wearing an oversized trucker cap she took from her father to remember him, Emilia addressed the loss directly. “I know that my dad’s in a good place. He’s not in pain anymore,” she said, offering tips for others coping with similar heartbreak.
James Van Der Beek passed away at age 48 on February 11 at his home in Austin, Texas, following a battle with cancer. He disclosed the diagnosis in late 2024, stemming from a routine colonoscopy the previous year.
Advice on Processing Grief
Emilia encouraged speaking to lost loved ones daily. “Hi, Dad. I miss you and I love you so much, and I’ll never stop loving you,” she shared as her usual greeting. She described telling him about her day and emotions, while confiding in her family.
“You have to feel them in your heart, because they’re in your heart. They’re watching over you,” Emilia explained. “They’re a part of your body and in a good place… He’s in heaven above the clouds with God and the Lord.”
She stressed allowing emotions to flow: cry if needed, and recognize that joy in their peace coexists with sadness. “Everybody has different emotions in their body, and they express it in different ways,” she noted, urging others not to let anyone dictate their feelings.
Family Reflections and Support
Kimberly Van Der Beek, married to James since 2010 and mother to their six children—Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah—posted the video on Instagram. “Emilia asked me if she could make a video to post today, walked outside and came back with this,” she wrote.
Kimberly added that the family watches videos of James together and expressed gratitude for the support, including donations to a GoFundMe campaign aiding them. Addressing her late husband, she vowed, “James… We will celebrate March 8th every day for the rest of our lives.”
Emilia also recalled her father’s words: “Something my dad told me was if this doesn’t work out the way he wanted it to… I still have to believe in miracles.” She cherishes his hat, which “smells like him,” and thanked supporters who prayed and contributed funds.
