James Van Der Beek is celebrating a milestone that has left him feeling deeply emotional as a father and an actor.
His oldest daughter, Olivia, simply turned 15, marking the identical age he was portraying when he first stepped into the sneakers of Dawson Leery on “Dawson’s Creek.”
To make the second much more highly effective, Olivia sang the present’s theme tune onstage at a charity reunion occasion, and Van Der Beek admitted in a heartfelt social media publish that he was “left in awe.”
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Olivia’s Large Second Onstage
The particular night time occurred on September 22 at New York Metropolis’s Richard Rodgers Theatre, the place the forged of “Dawson’s Creek” reunited for a charity occasion benefiting F Most cancers.
The night included a dwell studying of the pilot episode and a efficiency of Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Wish to Wait,” the present’s well-known theme tune.
Taking heart stage in a shiny purple gown, Olivia carried out the ballad with confidence in entrance of the present’s stars, followers, and her household.
For James Van Der Beek, who couldn’t attend the occasion resulting from sickness, watching his daughter step into the highlight was an unforgettable second.
“To observe you stand there in that purple gown, so confidently taking heart stage amidst all these folks I’ve recognized so lengthy and cherish so deeply… I’m simply left in awe,” he wrote in an Instagram post.
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Van Der Beek’s Emotional Birthday Submit
In his tribute, James Van Der Beek mirrored on the emotional weight of Olivia turning 15.
“My oldest turned 15 immediately. Similar age that Dawson was within the pilot,” he started.
From there, the actor opened up about how he has seen his daughter develop in ways in which proceed to shock him.
He admitted that he used to joke that Olivia was “parent-proof,” however over the previous 12 months, he has realized that her maturity could be very actual.
“As I’ve watched you speed up into so many massive choices, bounce into so many actions, finances your time, do your homework and your hair (which, from my standpoint, appear to require roughly the identical period of time & focus)… the much less I believe the parent-proof factor is a joke,” he continued.
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The 48-year-old shared an instance from a current college sporting occasion, the place Olivia by accident gave him the flawed ticket info.
As an alternative of getting upset or deflecting blame, she calmly took accountability.
“You instantly took accountability. Informed me it was your first time doing all of it. Apologized succinctly, then did what you possibly can to repair it. I used to be extra pleased with the way you dealt with the mess-up than in the event you’d carried out all of it completely the beginning,” the proud dad famous.
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James Van Der Beek Left Speechless By His Daughter
Van Der Beek admitted that Olivia’s poise and maturity left him speechless, each as a mum or dad and as somebody who has grown up within the highlight himself.
He praised her potential to stability actions, friendships, and tasks whereas nonetheless embracing her artistic facet.
The “Texas Rangers” star inspired her to proceed taking dangers, even when issues don’t at all times go completely.
“Maintain taking massive swings. Threat imperfection. Be true to who you’re. As a result of, whereas solely YOU will know precisely who your most genuine self will likely be, as somebody who’s recognized you your entire life… I can assure you’re going to like her,” he added.
Van Der Beek ended the publish with a easy however heartfelt birthday message, “Joyful birthday, kiddo. I really like you.”
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Van Der Beek Says The Reunion Was Humbling
In it, he instructed followers how a lot he had been wanting ahead to the occasion, calling it “humbling” to see the continued assist for the present.
To fill his function within the dwell studying, Lin-Manuel Miranda stepped in to play Dawson Leery, a casting selection Van Der Beek joked his children would “take into account an improve.”
In the meantime, his spouse Kimberly and their kids attended the reunion in individual and joined the forged onstage for a bunch efficiency of “I Don’t Wish to Wait.”
The night time was each a celebration of “Dawson’s Creek” and a fundraiser in honor of Van Der Beek.
James Van Der Beek’s Battle With Most cancers Provides Deeper That means
For Van Der Beek, the occasion and Olivia’s efficiency carried further weight given his current well being struggles.
In November 2024, the actor revealed he had been recognized with stage 3 colorectal most cancers at simply 46 years outdated.
He admitted the prognosis got here as a shock since he had no household historical past and had at all times lived an lively, wholesome way of life.
“I’d at all times related most cancers with age and with unhealthy, sedentary life,” he instructed PEOPLE. “However I used to be in superb cardiovascular form. I attempted to eat wholesome — or so far as I knew it on the time.”
When digestive signs persevered, he lastly sought medical recommendation and discovered the reality. Since then, he has undergone therapy and stays cautiously optimistic.
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“I’m in a spot of therapeutic, my power ranges are nice,” he mentioned. Whereas he didn’t declare himself in remission, he mentioned he felt good and was targeted on staying constructive. “I’ve lots to dwell for,” he shared.
