James Van Der Beek is not allowing his current battle with cancer to affect his spirits — especially when it’s time for Halloween trick-or-treating with his children.
“Happy Halloween!!!!” James’ spouse, Kimberly Van Der Beek, expressed through Instagram early on Saturday, November 1, posting pictures of the family’s costumes from the night before.
James, 48, appeared stylish as the iconic Phantom of the Opera, complete with a tuxedo, white bowtie, and a matching half-face mask. Kimberly, 43, for her part, dressed as a fox, sporting a spiderweb design painted on her neck.
“Phantom and the Fox,” Kimberly posted on her Instagram Stories, sharing a selfie alongside her husband during the Friday, October 31, holiday.
The Van Der Beeks have six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4, each wearing unique costumes on Friday. Annabel and Emilia chose to dress as the Statue of Liberty and a witch, respectively, while Joshua wore a skeleton costume. Gwendolyn, for her part, stood out as Rumi from K-Pop Demon Hunters and Jeremiah dressed up as a sweet lime-green bear. (Olivia was not pictured in the family photos.)
After taking their charming pictures, James and Kimberly accompanied their children as they gathered sweets from neighboring homes.
James Van Der Beek and son Jeremiah. Courtesy of Kimberly Van Der Beek/ Instagram
“A trick-or-treat golf cart?! Don’t mind if we do,” Kimberly shared through her Stories, including a picture of James with Jeremiah in the front. “Thanks to my babe @odetteannable.”
James revealed in the fall of 2023 that he received a diagnosis of stage 3 colorectal cancer.
“I’ve been privately managing this diagnosis and working toward resolving it, thanks to the support of my amazing family,” the Dawson’s Creek alum shared with People in November 2023, also revealing he privately underwent a form of treatment that he did not disclose. “There’s room for optimism, and I’m feeling well.”
He added, “This experience has been an intensive course in mastering mind, body, and spirit. I thought, ‘This will either take me out of the body, or it’s going to show me how to truly live in it.’”
James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Van Der Beek. Courtesy of Kimberly Van Der Beek/ Instagram
As James dealt with his diagnosis, his father, James William, took action to assist his son during this difficult period.
“The manner in which you have been present when I’ve been struggling this year — without us needing to ask, without even expecting gratitude has been not just life-saving, but life-affirming,” James expressed in a January Instagram tribute to his father. “Moving to the ranch for the times I’m away getting treatment. Making lunches, lighting fires for @vanderkimberly, driving the children, even caring for the dogs and chickens, but it goes beyond that. I’m so impressed by how you’ve emotionally supported me as I’ve navigated everything that comes with cancer.”
He concluded, “I know it’s not your favorite thing, but especially since Mom passed away, you have repeatedly come through for me in ways that I didn’t even realize I needed. Thank you for being the best. I will honor my promise that we won’t ever ask you to change Jeremiah’s diapers.”
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