In an emotional farewell to the late James Van Der Beek, actress June Diane Raphael has reflected on her profound experience working with him on the upcoming series, Elle. This new instalment serves as a prequel to the iconic Legally Blonde franchise and will sadly stand as Van Der Beek’s final onscreen portrayal following his passing in February at the age of 48, after battling colorectal cancer.
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Raphael, aged 46, spoke candidly about the significance of their collaboration and shared experiences during the filming process. In an interview with PEOPLE, she remarked, “I consider my time with James the most meaningful time I’ve spent in my career.” Her deep appreciation is evident, revealing the honour she felt in sharing the screen with someone she regarded so highly.
Describing Van Der Beek as “charming,” Raphael explained that he was not only easy to work with but also maintained a warm and engaging atmosphere on set. “There’s an ease about him that I found really amazing,” she noted, emphasising his innate friendliness and collaborative spirit throughout their time together.
One of the most poignant aspects Raphael took from her experience was Van Der Beek’s deep-seated love for his family. The actor was a devoted father to six children—Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 10, Gwendolyn, 7, and two sons, Joshua, 14, and Jeremiah, 4—with his wife Kimberly. “Whenever there’s a spare moment and they call, ‘Cut,’ he was just always talking about his family, and his kids, and how much he adored them,” she shared, illustrating how family remained at the forefront of his thoughts, even during the busy days of filming.
Raphael, who herself is a mother of two sons with husband Paul Scheer, found common ground with Van Der Beek through their shared parental experiences. “We connected on that level so immediately,” she explained, adding that it was touching how he spoke fondly of his wife and children, underscoring his dedication to family life.
A particularly memorable moment for Raphael occurred when Van Der Beek brought two of his daughters to visit the set. She recalled, “I know how careful and judicious so many actors are about what sets they’ll bring their kids onto. So the fact that he did that a few times meant the world to me.” This gesture highlighted the environment he cultivated while working, which was not only professional but also familial and welcoming for his children.
“It was really cool for them to see their dad work,” Raphael added. This experience undoubtedly created lasting memories for the young girls and illustrated the importance Van Der Beek placed on family involvement in his life and career.
Following the recent premiere of Elle in New York City, Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, took to social media to share insights from her daughters’ visits to the set. She praised the production team, stating, “They treated the kiddos beautifully,” reflecting her gratitude for the kindness shown to her family.
Furthermore, Kimberly expressed how proud her husband was of his role in Elle, magnified by the excitement of his daughters who looked forward to seeing him in this new project. “He was so proud of this role, especially because his daughters were so looking forward to watching it!” she concluded, a testament to the importance of the moment within their family’s journey.
Elle is set to premiere on July 1 on Prime Video, marking a heartfelt continuation of Van Der Beek’s legacy in the television industry. His impactful career, paired with his deep family connections, will undoubtedly be remembered by fans, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Raphael’s sentiments encapsulate the spirit of a man whose presence extended beyond the screen, leaving behind cherished memories and lessons for those he touched.