James Van Der Beek

Known for

Acting

Born

March 8, 1977

Birthplace

Cheshire, Connecticut, USA

Died

February 11, 2026 (aged 48)

Biography

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.

Best known work

Scary Movie

2000

How I Met Your Mother

2005

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

1999

Downsizing

2017

Criminal Minds

2005

Modern Family

2009

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

2001

Labor Day

2013

The Rules of Attraction

2002

Dawson's Creek

1998

Filmography

2026
1 in 2
2026
The Gates
as Jacob
2025
Sidelined 2: Intercepted
as Leroy Lahey
2025
OvercompensatingTV
as Charlie (2 episodes)
2025
Devil May CryTV
In Memory Of
2025
Sidelined: The QB and Me
as Leroy Lahey
2024
The Real Full Monty
as Self
2022
The Jennifer Hudson ShowTV
as Self (1 episode)
2021
Bad Hair
as Grant Madison
2021
Fast FoodiesTV
as Self (1 episode)
2021
WalkerTV
as New Neighbour (1 episode)
2020
All-Time Favorite NFL Players Named by Celebrities, Players, and Coaches
as Self
2020
Home Movie: The Princess BrideTV
as Prince Humperdinck (1 episode)
2020
The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU
as Self
2019
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot
as Self
2019
Under A Rock with Tig NotaroTV
as Self - Guest (1 episode)
2019
The Masked SingerTV
as Self - Griffin (3 episodes)
2018
POSETV
as Matt (8 episodes)
2018
What the FitTV
as Self (1 episode)
2018
The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHaleTV
as Self - Guest (1 episode)
2017
Downsizing
as Anesthesiologist
2017
Sea OakTV
as Mr. Frendt (1 episode)
2017
Drop the MicTV
as Self (1 episode)
2017
VampirinaTV
as Boris Hauntley (voice) (147 episodes)
2017
What Would Diplo Do?TV
as Diplo (5 episodes), Writer, Executive Producer, Creator