James Van Der Beek’s nine-year-old daughter, Emilia, shared a moving video tribute to her father on what would have been his 49th birthday, March 8. The young girl opened up about her grief process following the actor’s death last month.
Emilia’s Emotional Video Message
In the self-recorded video, Emilia sat outside wearing an oversized trucker cap she took from her father to keep his memory close. She explained that the hat still carries his scent, helping her feel connected to him.
Addressing viewers directly, Emilia confirmed her father’s passing and offered tips for others coping with loss. “The number one thing for somebody’s passing is to talk to them and let your emotions out,” she said. “If you miss them, you can cry. You can talk to them. I talk to my dad every day.”
She shared her daily routine: “I start with a sentence, and I say, ‘Hi, Dad. I miss you and I love you so much, and I’ll never stop loving you.’ I just tell him about my day, how I’m feeling.”
Emilia emphasized feeling loved ones in one’s heart. “You have to feel them in your heart, because they’re in your heart. They’re watching over you. They’re a part of your body and in a good place,” she stated. “I know that my dad’s in a good place. He’s not in pain anymore. He’s in heaven above the clouds with God and the Lord.”
Guidance on Grief and Miracles
The girl encouraged embracing mixed emotions. “It is okay to be happy they’re in a good place but still be sad because you miss them,” she noted. “Everybody has different emotions in their body, and they express it in different ways.”
Recalling her father’s words, Emilia said, “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. Miracles can still happen, just later on in life, and they’ll keep coming.”
She thanked supporters, including those who contributed to a GoFundMe campaign aiding the family.
Family’s Tribute and Background
Kimberly Van Der Beek, married to the actor since 2010 and mother of their six children, shared Emilia’s video on Instagram. “Emilia asked me if she could make a video to post today, walked outside and came back with this,” she wrote. The mother expressed a desire to watch family videos of James with the children and thanked everyone for their support.
Addressing her late husband, Kimberly added, “James… We will celebrate March 8th every day for the rest of our lives.”
The couple’s children include Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah. Emilia is the fourth child.
James Van Der Beek passed away at age 48 on February 11 at his Austin, Texas home after fighting cancer. He disclosed the diagnosis in late 2024, stemming from a routine colonoscopy the previous year.
