James Van Der Beek
Bio
James Van Der Beek rose to global fame as the brooding, introspective teenager Dawson Leery on the hit WB series Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003), a role that made him a defining face of late 1990s and early 2000s teen dramas. Born in Cheshire, Connecticut, he began acting professionally as a child in New York theater and independent films before landing his breakthrough role. Van Der Beek’s portrayal of an aspiring filmmaker navigating small-town life and complex relationships earned him a Teen Choice Award and widespread recognition, even as he later became a good-natured target for the show’s famously verbose dialogue.
Demonstrating range beyond teen angst, he starred in the sports drama Varsity Blues (1999) as injured quarterback Jonathan “Mox” Moxon, and appeared in the ensemble cast of The Rules of Attraction (2002). He later skewered his own heartthrob image in a memorable cameo on *Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23* (2012–2013), where he played a hilarious, fictionalized version of himself. Other notable work includes CSI: Cyber, the indie drama The Plague, and a recurring role on Pose. In recent years, Van Der Beek has pivoted to podcasting and family-focused content, co-hosting the podcast We Are Your Parents with his wife, Kimberly. He remains a beloved figure for his self-aware humor and willingness to embrace his legacy while continuing to evolve as an artist.
Accomplishments
2012-2013 - Series: Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
Genre: Sitcom / Comedy
Co-stars: Krysten Ritter, Dreama Walker
Brief Description: In a brilliant act of self-parody, Van Der Beek played a fictionalized, egotistical, and hilarious version of himself. The role earned critical praise for his sharp comedic timing, allowing him to deconstruct his "Dawson" heartthrob image and showcasing a completely new side of his acting talent before the show developed a cult following.
1998-2003 - Series: Dawson's Creek
Genre: Teen Drama
Co-stars: Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson
Brief Description: Van Der Beek rose to global fame playing the title role of Dawson Leery, an introspective and film-obsessed teenager navigating the complexities of friendship, family, and first love in the small town of Capeside. The series was a breakout success that helped establish The WB network and made him a defining icon of late 1990s/early 2000s television.
1999 - Movie: Varsity Blues
Genre: Sports Drama
Co-stars: Jon Voight, Paul Walker, Scott Caan, Ali Larter
Brief Description: Starring as injured backup quarterback Jonathan "Mox" Moxon, Van Der Beek led this high-school football film to box office success, holding the number-one spot for its first two weeks. His performance earned him an MTV Movie Award for Best Male Breakthrough Performance and solidified his status as a leading man in teen cinema.
News
Heather McComb, James Van Der Beek's Ex-Wife, Remarries
Just over three months after Van Der Beek's death from colorectal cancer on February 11, 2026, at age 48, his first wife, actress Heather McComb, married actor Scott Michael Campbell.
