James Van Der Beek

Acting

James Van Der Beek

Born 8 March 1977 · Cheshire, Connecticut, USA · Died 11 February 2026 at 48

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

Highlights

How I Met Your Mother2005 · Series · Simon Tremblay
Criminal Minds2005 · Series · Tobias Hankel
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit1999 · Series · Sean Albert
Modern Family2009 · Series · Bo Johnson
Scary Movie2000 · Film · Dawson Leary (uncredited)
POSE2018 · Series · Matt

Filmography

Movies

28 films

The Gates2026 · Film · Jacob
Sidelined 2: Intercepted2025 · Film · Leroy Lahey
Sidelined: The QB and Me2025 · Film · Leroy Lahey
Bad Hair2021 · Film · Grant Madison
Downsizing2017 · Film · Anesthesiologist
Power/Rangers2015 · Film · Rocky DeSantos
Labor Day2013 · Film · Officer Treadwell
Backwards2012 · Film · Geoff
Salem Falls2011 · Film · Jack St. Bride
The Big Bang2011 · Film · Adam Nova
Inspired by Bret Easton Ellis2010 · Film · Sean Bateman
Formosa Betrayed2010 · Film · Jake Kelly
Mrs. Miracle2009 · Film · Seth Webster
Taken in Broad Daylight2009 · Film · Tony Zappa
Stolen2009 · Film · Diploma / Roggiani
Eye of the Beast2007 · Film · Dan Leland
Final Draft2007 · Film · Paul Twist
Robot Chicken: Star Wars2007 · Film · Bush's Aide (voice) (archive sound)
The Plague2006 · Film · Tom Russell
Standing Still2005 · Film · Simon
The Rules of Attraction2002 · Film · Sean Bateman
Texas Rangers2001 · Film · Lincoln Rogers Dunnison
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back2001 · Film · James Van Der Beek
Scary Movie2000 · Film · Dawson Leary (uncredited)
Harvest1999 · Film · James Peterson
Varsity Blues1999 · Film · Jonathan 'Mox' Moxon
I Love You, I Love You Not1996 · Film · Tony
Angus1995 · Film · Rick Sandford

Filmography

Series

28 shows

Overcompensating2025 · Series · Charlie
Walker2021 · Series · New Neighbour
Home Movie: The Princess Bride2020 · Series · Prince Humperdinck
POSE2018 · Series · Matt
Sea Oak2017 · Series · Mr. Frendt
Vampirina2017 · Series · Boris Hauntley (voice)
What Would Diplo Do?2017 · Series · Diplo
Room 1042017 · Series · Scott
CSI: Cyber2015 · Series · Elijah Mundo
Friends with Better Lives2014 · Series · Will Stokes
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 232012 · Series · James Van Der Beek
Franklin & Bash2011 · Series · Nathan
Modern Family2009 · Series · Bo Johnson
Mercy2009 · Series · Dr. Joe Briggs
The Forgotten2009 · Series · Judd Shaw
The Storm2009 · Series · Dr. Jonathan Kirk
Ugly Betty2006 · Series · Luke Carnes
Criminal Minds2005 · Series · Tobias Hankel
How I Met Your Mother2005 · Series · Simon Tremblay
Medium2005 · Series · Dylan Hoyt
One Tree Hill2003 · Series · Adam Reese
Law & Order: Criminal Intent2001 · Series · Rex Tamlyn
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit1999 · Series · Sean Albert
The Panel1998 · Series
Dawson's Creek1998 · Series · Dawson Leery
Aliens in the Family1996 · Series · Ethan
TFI Friday1996 · Series
Clarissa Explains It All1991 · Series · Paulie