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 footwear of Dawson Leery on “Dawson’s Creek.”
To make the second much more highly effective, Olivia sang the present’s theme track onstage at a charity reunion occasion, and Van Der Beek admitted in a heartfelt social media put up that he was “left in awe.”
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Olivia’s Huge Second Onstage
The particular night time occurred on September 22 at New York Metropolis’s Richard Rodgers Theatre, the place the solid of “Dawson’s Creek” reunited for a charity occasion benefiting F Most cancers.
The night included a stay studying of the pilot episode and a efficiency of Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Wish to Wait,” the present’s well-known theme track.
Taking middle stage in a shiny crimson 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 on account of sickness, watching his daughter step into the highlight was an unforgettable second.
“To observe you stand there in that crimson gown, so confidently taking middle stage amidst all these individuals I’ve identified 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 Publish
In his tribute, James Van Der Beek mirrored on the emotional weight of Olivia turning 15.
“My oldest turned 15 right this moment. Identical 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 yr, he has realized that her maturity may be very actual.
“As I’ve watched you speed up into so many huge choices, soar into so many actions, price range your time, do your homework and your hair (which, from my viewpoint, appear to require roughly the identical period of time & focus)… the much less I feel the parent-proof factor is a joke,” he continued.
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The 48-year-old shared an instance from a latest college sporting occasion, the place Olivia by accident gave him the mistaken ticket data.
As an alternative of getting upset or deflecting blame, she calmly took duty.
“You instantly took duty. Instructed me it was your first time doing all of it. Apologized succinctly, then did what you can to repair it. I used to be extra happy with the way you dealt with the mess-up than for those who’d accomplished 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 mother or father and as somebody who has grown up within the highlight himself.
He praised her means to steadiness actions, friendships, and tasks whereas nonetheless embracing her artistic aspect.
The “Texas Rangers” star inspired her to proceed taking dangers, even when issues don’t at all times go completely.
“Hold taking huge swings. Danger imperfection. Be true to who you’re. As a result of, whereas solely YOU will know precisely who your most genuine self might be, as somebody who’s identified you your entire life… I can assure you’re going to like her,” he added.
Van Der Beek ended the put up with a easy however heartfelt birthday message, “Joyful birthday, kiddo. I like you.”
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Van Der Beek Says The Reunion Was Humbling
In it, he advised 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 stay 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 solid 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 additional weight given his latest well being struggles.
In November 2024, the actor revealed he had been recognized with stage 3 colorectal most cancers at simply 46 years previous.
He admitted the analysis 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 existence,” he advised 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 continued, he lastly sought medical recommendation and discovered the reality. Since then, he has undergone remedy and stays cautiously optimistic.
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“I’m in a spot of therapeutic, my vitality ranges are nice,” he mentioned. Whereas he didn’t declare himself in remission, he mentioned he felt good and was centered on staying constructive. “I’ve so much to stay for,” he shared.
