James Van Der Beek
Known for acting · Born 8 March 1977 · Died 11 February 2026 · aged 48 · Cheshire, Connecticut, USA
95 credits
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
Dawson's Creek
1998
Vampirina
2017
CSI: Cyber
2015
The Rules of Attraction
2002
Varsity Blues
1999
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
2012
Texas Rangers
2001
Mrs. Miracle
2009
POSE
2018
The Plague
2006
Sidelined: The QB and Me
2025
Friends with Better Lives
2014
Acting (93)
2026The GatesJacobFilm
20261 in 2Film
2025Sidelined: The QB and MeLeroy LaheyFilm
2025Sidelined 2: InterceptedLeroy LaheyFilm
2025OvercompensatingCharlie · 2 episodesSeries
2024The Real Full MontySelfFilm
2022The Jennifer Hudson ShowSelfSeries
2021WalkerNew NeighbourSeries
2021Bad HairGrant MadisonFilm
2021Fast FoodiesSelfSeries
2020Home Movie: The Princess BridePrince HumperdinckSeries
2020The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVUSelfFilm
2020All-Time Favorite NFL Players Named by Celebrities, Players, and CoachesSelfFilm
2019Jay and Silent Bob RebootSelfFilm
2019The Masked SingerSelf - Griffin · 3 episodesSeries
2019Under A Rock with Tig NotaroSelf - GuestSeries
2018POSEMatt · 8 episodesSeries
2018The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHaleSelf - GuestSeries
2018What the FitSelfSeries
2017DownsizingAnesthesiologistFilm
2017Room 104ScottSeries
2017VampirinaBoris Hauntley (voice) · 147 episodesSeries
2017Drop the MicSelfSeries
2017What Would Diplo Do?Diplo · 5 episodesSeries
2017Sea OakMr. FrendtSeries
2016Match GameSelf - Panelist · 4 episodesSeries
2016The $100,000 PyramidSelfSeries
2015CSI: CyberElijah Mundo · 31 episodesSeries
2015The Late Late Show with James CordenSelf · 2 episodesSeries
2014The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonSelfSeries
2014Late Night with Seth MeyersSelfSeries
2014Friends with Better LivesWill Stokes · 13 episodesSeries
2013Labor DayOfficer TreadwellFilm
2013The Magic BraceletJoeFilm
2012Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23James Van Der Beek · 18 episodesSeries
2012The Eric Andre ShowSelfSeries
2012BackwardsGeoffFilm
2011The Big BangAdam NovaFilm
2011Franklin & BashNathanSeries
2011Salem FallsJack St. BrideFilm
2011DILF KhakisSelfFilm
2011Van Der Week: Behind the ScenesSelfFilm
2011VandermemesSelfFilm
2011Asshole for HireSelfFilm
2010ConanSelfSeries
2010Formosa BetrayedJake KellyFilm
2010Inspired by Bret Easton EllisSean BatemanFilm
2009Modern FamilyBo JohnsonSeries
2009StolenDiploma / RoggianiFilm
2009Mrs. MiracleSeth WebsterFilm
2009Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenSelf - Guest · 2 episodesSeries
2009Taken in Broad DaylightTony ZappaFilm
2009The ForgottenJudd ShawSeries
2009MercyDr. Joe Briggs · 22 episodesSeries
2009The StormDr. Jonathan Kirk · 2 episodesSeries
2008Free RadioSelfSeries
2007Robot Chicken: Star WarsBush's Aide (voice) (archive sound)Film
2007Eye of the BeastDan LelandFilm
2007Final DraftPaul TwistFilm
2006Ugly BettyLuke CarnesSeries
2006The PlagueTom RussellFilm
2006Danny Roane: First Time DirectorSelfFilm
2005How I Met Your MotherSimon Tremblay · 3 episodesSeries
2005Criminal MindsTobias Hankel · 2 episodesSeries
2005MediumDylan HoytSeries
2005Dancing with the StarsSelf - Contestant · 10 episodesSeries
2005Standing StillSimonFilm
2004The SoupSelf · 2 episodesSeries
2004Oh, What a Lovely Tea PartySelfFilm
2003One Tree HillAdam Reese · 4 episodesSeries
2003Jimmy Kimmel Live!SelfSeries
2002The Rules of AttractionSean BatemanFilm
2002CMT Music AwardsSelf - PresenterSeries
2001Jay and Silent Bob Strike BackJames Van Der BeekFilm
2001Law & Order: Criminal IntentRex TamlynSeries
2001Texas RangersLincoln Rogers DunnisonFilm
2000Scary MovieDawson Leary (uncredited)Film
1999Law & Order: Special Victims UnitSean AlbertSeries
1999Varsity BluesJonathan 'Mox' MoxonFilm
1999Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary SpecialSelfFilm
1999Teen Choice AwardsSelfSeries
1999HarvestJames PetersonFilm
1998Dawson's CreekDawson Leery · 128 episodesSeries
1998The PanelSeries
1997The ViewSelfSeries
1997EP DailySeries
1996I Love You, I Love You NotTonyFilm
1996TFI FridaySeries
1996Aliens in the FamilyEthanSeries
1995AngusRick SandfordFilm
1992The Tonight Show with Jay LenoSeries
1991Clarissa Explains It AllPaulieSeries
1975Saturday Night LiveSelf - HostSeries
Crew (1)
2025Devil May CryIn Memory OfSeries
Production (1)
2017What Would Diplo Do?Executive Producer, Writer, CreatorSeries