James Van Der Beek was born James William Van Der Beek, Jr. on March 8, 1977 in Cheshire, Connecticut. He is the oldest of three children born to Jim Van Der Beek, who is a corporate executive, and Melinda Van Der Beek, who is a gymnastics studio owner and former Broadway dancer. Originally a budding football player, James turned to acting when his football career came to an end following a concussion he suffered at age 13. He won the part of Danny Zuko in a children’s production of Grease and he hasn’t looked back since. He debuted on the big screen via the 1995 feature film, Angus but his biggest film role to date came in 1999 when he starred in Varsity Blues. His signature role however, remains as the title character, Dawson Leery in the coming of age series, Dawson’s Creek.
Dawson Leery, played by James Van Der Beek on Dawson’s Creek, was an aspiring filmmaker who idolized Steven Spielberg. Despite a brief romantic dalliance with his childhood best friend, Joey, Dawson was forced to accept that they were better off with their friendship. After his father’s untimely death, he went on to pursue his lifelong ambition to make movies.
(Photo courtesy of Andrew Eccles)