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Actor James Van Der Beek Shares Healing Journey After Family’s Pregnancy Loss

Photo from Kimberly Van Der Beek’s Instagram

Actor James Van Der Beek Shares Healing Journey After Family’s Pregnancy Loss

By Movieguide® Staff

Actor James Van Der Beek recently opened up about his family’s healing process after he and his wife, Kimberly, suffered two pregnancy losses.

The DAWSON’S CREEK alum took to Instagram and posted photos from a family road trip, the same trip they took after his wife’s first miscarriage in November 2019.

“Pic #1 we had just lost a baby 18 weeks into pregnancy and almost lost @vanderkimberly in the process,” Van Der Beek wrote. “I had a collaboration going south, rapidly. And I’d just been booted off a reality dancing competition I’d been favored to win. (I feel like three out of those four are fairly relatable 😂). So, last minute, we rented an #RV, and headed north.”

The father of six said the family had no real plan but hoped that the day-to-day travel would help them be present and maybe even begin the healing process.

“And thus began the process – not necessarily of healing – but of being present. Present to the pain. Present to the beauty around us. And present to the acceptance of being in a process I did not understand,” he wrote on the post.

In June 2020, tragedy struck the Van Der Beeks again after Kimberly lost her second baby at a little over 17 weeks.

The family decided to take the road trip once again, but with a new baby boy, Jeremiah, in addition to their five children: Olivia, 11, Joshua, 10, Annabel, 8, Emilia, 6, and Gwendolyn, 4.

“2 ½ years later, after another late-term pregnancy loss, after that project blew up completely, after we moved to a new state and got our own RV… we came back to that same spot. With a brand new baby boy 🌈🌈,” he said.

“Reflecting back on that first trip, I’m astounded by how much I didn’t know about the path to where I am now… and by how much peace I was able to feel in the midst of that darkness,” he said.

Van Der Beek also encouraged his followers: “Whatever you’re going through… if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, or even know where to look for it… I invite you to not underestimate the power of a little change of environment… and of taking the time to sit exactly where you’re at.”

“Healing comes at its own pace. Presence might just be a pre-requisite,” he concluded.

Movieguide® previously reported:

Van Der Beek said the loss of his son allowed him to open up his heart to accepting grace.

“And this might sound crazy to some… but I feel like that was his gift to me. That was one of the things his soul came here to unlock: He gave me access to grace. And I share this because we’re all going through something,” the actor wrote.

He and his wife, Kimberly, are already parents to five children, and have experienced multiple heartbreaking miscarriages.

However, the couple is focused on celebrating the family they do have.

“I can’t tell the future. I don’t know what’s going to happen. And I’m far from perfect. All I know is… I don’t think I’ll ever look back and wish I’d spent LESS time with my kids,” Van Der Beek said in September.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.