James Van Der Beek, born on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, is an American actor best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the television series “Dawson’s Creek” (1998–2003). He is the son of Melinda, a former Broadway dancer and gymnastics teacher, and Jim Van Der Beek, a cellular phone company executive. He has Dutch, German, English, Scots-Irish, and French ancestry.
Van Der Beek began his acting career in the mid-1990s, with notable film roles in “Varsity Blues” (1999) and “Scary Movie” (2000). He also portrayed a fictionalized version of himself in the sitcom “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23” (2012–2013) and starred as FBI Agent Elijah Mundo in “CSI: Cyber” (2015–2016).
In November 2024, Van Der Beek was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. Reflecting on his 48th birthday, he described the past year as the hardest of his life, emphasizing how the illness forced him to confront his mortality and reassess his roles within his family.
He expressed feelings of inadequacy due to his inability to fulfill his duties as a provider during treatment. Despite these challenges, he found strength in self-love and the unwavering support of his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.
Van Der Beek’s journey through illness has shed light on his resilience and deep commitment to his family, inspiring many with his openness and optimism.