James Van Der Beek
Acting

James Van Der Beek

Born 8 March 1977 · Cheshire, Connecticut, USA · Died 11 February 2026

James Van Der Beek (March 8, 1977 – February 11, 2026) was an American actor best known for his role as Dawson Leary on the television series Dawson's Creek.

Known for

How I Met Your Mother
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Downsizing
Criminal Minds
Modern Family
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Labor Day
The Rules of Attraction
One Tree Hill
Dawson's Creek
POSE
Medium
The Gates
Sidelined: The QB and Me
Sidelined 2: Intercepted
Bad Hair
Downsizing
Power/Rangers
Labor Day
Backwards
The Big Bang
Salem Falls
Formosa Betrayed
Inspired by Bret Easton Ellis
Stolen
Taken in Broad Daylight
Mrs. Miracle
Final Draft
Eye of the Beast
The Plague
Standing Still
The Rules of Attraction
Texas Rangers
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Varsity Blues
Harvest
I Love You, I Love You Not
Angus
James Van Der Beek · Midrow