Although Van was born in San Luis Obispo, California, he spent a couple of years living with his family in South Korea, and then finally settled in Leesville, Louisiana. While growing up in a small town, Van spent most of his time playing sports, mostly football. While in middle school he watched a performance of "Little Shop Of Horrors" and was blown away. When he reached high school, he was playing Football in the fall and being involved in the school's musical in the spring. He changed his major in his first semester of college from journalism to theatre, deciding to pursue a degree in acting.