James Van Der Beek
Acting·March 8, 1977·† February 11, 2026 — 48 years old·Cheshire, Connecticut, USA
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
Scary Movie
2000·6.4
How I Met Your Mother
2005·8.1
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999·8.0
Downsizing
2017·5.4
Criminal Minds
2005·8.3
Modern Family
2009·7.9
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
2001·6.4
Labor Day
2013·7.1
POSE
2018·8.3
The Rules of Attraction
2002·6.2
Dawson's Creek
1998·7.3
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot
2019·5.7
Filmography · 91
2026The GatesJacob2025Sidelined 2: InterceptedLeroy Lahey2025OvercompensatingTVCharlie2025Devil May CryTVIn Memory Of2025Sidelined: The QB and MeLeroy Lahey2024The Real Full MontySelf2022The Jennifer Hudson ShowTVSelf2021Bad HairGrant Madison2021Fast FoodiesTVSelf2021WalkerTVNew Neighbour2020All-Time Favorite NFL Players Named by Celebrities, Players, and CoachesSelf2020Home Movie: The Princess BrideTVPrince Humperdinck2020The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVUSelf2019Jay and Silent Bob RebootSelf2019Under A Rock with Tig NotaroTVSelf - Guest2019The Masked SingerTVSelf - Griffin2018POSETVMatt2018What the FitTVSelf2018The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHaleTVSelf - Guest2017DownsizingAnesthesiologist2017Sea OakTVMr. Frendt2017Drop the MicTVSelf2017VampirinaTVBoris Hauntley (voice)2017What Would Diplo Do?TVDiplo · Writer · Executive Producer · Creator2017Room 104TVScott2016The $100,000 PyramidTVSelf2016Match GameTVSelf - Panelist2015The Late Late Show with James CordenTVSelf2015CSI: CyberTVElijah Mundo2014Friends with Better LivesTVWill Stokes2014Late Night with Seth MeyersTVSelf2014The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonTVSelf2013Labor DayOfficer Treadwell2013The Magic BraceletJoe2012BackwardsGeoff2012The Eric Andre ShowTVSelf2012Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23TVJames Van Der Beek2011Salem FallsJack St. Bride2011Franklin & BashTVNathan2011The Big BangAdam Nova2011DILF KhakisSelf2011Van Der Week: Behind the ScenesSelf2011VandermemesSelf2011Asshole for HireSelf2010Inspired by Bret Easton EllisSean Bateman2010Formosa BetrayedJake Kelly2009Mrs. MiracleSeth Webster2009Taken in Broad DaylightTony Zappa2009StolenDiploma / Roggiani2009Modern FamilyTVBo Johnson2009MercyTVDr. Joe Briggs2009The ForgottenTVJudd Shaw2009The StormTVDr. Jonathan Kirk2009Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenTVSelf - Guest2008Free RadioTVSelf2007Eye of the BeastDan Leland2007Final DraftPaul Twist2007Robot Chicken: Star WarsBush's Aide (voice) (archive sound)2006Ugly BettyTVLuke Carnes2006The PlagueTom Russell2006Danny Roane: First Time DirectorSelf2005Criminal MindsTVTobias Hankel2005How I Met Your MotherTVSimon Tremblay2005Dancing with the StarsTVSelf - Contestant2005MediumTVDylan Hoyt2005Standing StillSimon2004Oh, What a Lovely Tea PartySelf2004The SoupTVSelf2003Dawson's Creek - The Series Finale (Extended Cut)Dawson Leery2003One Tree HillTVAdam Reese2003Jimmy Kimmel Live!TVSelf2002The Rules of AttractionSean Bateman2002CMT Music AwardsTVSelf - Presenter2001Texas RangersLincoln Rogers Dunnison2001Law & Order: Criminal IntentTVRex Tamlyn2001Jay and Silent Bob Strike BackJames Van Der Beek (uncredited)2000Scary MovieDawson Leary (uncredited)1999Law & Order: Special Victims UnitTVSean Albert1999Teen Choice AwardsTVSelf1999HarvestJames Peterson1999Varsity BluesJonathan 'Mox' Moxon1998The PanelTV1998Dawson's CreekTVDawson Leery1997EP DailyTV1997The ViewTVSelf1996I Love You, I Love You NotTony1996Aliens in the FamilyTVEthan1995AngusRick Sandford1992The Tonight Show with Jay LenoTV1991Clarissa Explains It AllTVPaulie1975Saturday Night LiveTVSelf - Host