- - Rumer Willis Says She Wanted to Model Her Parenting Style After James Van Der Beek in Emotional Tribute

Kayla GrantFebruary 14, 2026 at 12:08 AM

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Rumer Willis and James Van Der Beek

Amanda Edwards/Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Rumer Willis is reflecting on James Van Der Beek's role in her life

The 37-year-old actress and daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore shared a touching tribute on Instagram for the Dancing with the Stars alum after his death

The doting mom opened up about her special connection with Van Der Beek and how she always knew she wanted to model her future parenting style after him

Rumer Willis is reflecting on James Van Der Beek's role in her life.

The 37-year-old actress and daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore shared a touching tribute on Instagram for the Dancing with the Stars alum after his death. The doting mom opened up about her special connection with Van Der Beek and how she always knew she wanted to model her future parenting style after him.

"I’ve known James since I was 15. And I was so stuck by how kind he was to me," she began her heartfelt tribute. "That is who he has always been, and I was always grateful for that because as a young teenager running around a house with a bunch of my mom‘s adult friends, it was easy to feel invisible. But I didn’t truly understand the depths and the gift of who James was until I was an adult."

"Kim and I had become friends instantly gravitating to each other like some magnetic pull and I was graciously welcomed into this beautiful and warm family. The love that comes off of them is a tangible energy," Willis continued. "I had never in my life been witness to such a beautiful example of a loving marriage and what true partnership looks like. And to watch Kim and James seamlessly flow off of each other while parenting this gorgeous group of the most lovely children I had ever met. I was in heaven. I knew I wanted to model my future relationship and parenting from them."

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She went on to recall memories of being at his ranch house and talking about her life and hopes of motherhood.

"I loved coming down to the ranch and sitting for hours chatting about life and my hopes of becoming a mother one day," the My Divorce Party star said. "And I was lucky enough to come back while I was pregnant with Lou and the year after when she was born, each time filling in more color of the future I hoped to paint for myself by seeing the example they set."

Willis, who is mom to daughter Louetta "Lou," 2, then shares her favorite memory with Van Der Beek, noting how it was "one of the most beautiful moments" she had ever seen.

"But it was during one of these visits that I had my favorite moment I was able to witness that speaks to exactly who James is and always will be," Willis recalled. "One of his beautiful girls had come up to him to ask him something, I couldn’t even tell you what it was now, she was a bit sad and working through something and the way that James listened and held space for her and answered so thoughtfully and with such care and vulnerability was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever seen from a father to a daughter."

"I didn’t realize that there were men in the world like that," she concluded. "That would show up like that for you even in such small moments and I am forever grateful for that and all of the long conversations over dinner tables. The wisdom shared, the laughter. Thank you James. For raising the bar in more ways than I can count. I’m so grateful to know and love your beautiful tribe. I will miss you dearly."

James Van Der Beek and his family

James Van Der Beek/Instagram

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Van Der Beek was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023 and shared that diagnosis with PEOPLE in November 2024. "I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family," he said at the time. “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good."

The Dawson's Creek alum died at 48 on Wednesday, Feb. 11, following his journey with stage 3 colorectal cancer. He often spoke about his love for his six children — daughters Gwendolyn, 7, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, and Olivia, 15, and sons Jeremiah, 4, and Joshua, 13 — who he shared with wife Kimberly Van Der Beek.

On Feb. 11, Kimberly announced the news of her husband's death in an Instagram post, saying he had "passed peacefully this morning." "He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," the mom of six wrote.

She continued asking for "peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend," as she promised that there is "much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”