James Van Der Beek Biography

Fast Facts

• Briefly studied at Drew University before landing the lead on "Dawson's Creek"
• Quote: "I love New York City․ Everyone is busy with their own lives - and no one is interested in some Hollywood celebrity walking past in downtown Manhattan․Thats why it's my favorite city․ You can do what you want without attracting a crowd of curious onlookers․"
• Quote: "I'm not about to talk about what's romantic in my life - I figure if you talk about it once - then that's an open invitation for everyone to dig into your personal life even further․ So, I just keep my private life to myself․ If people want to write anything about me, then can go ahead and do whatever they want․ But they won't get a comment out of me, that's for sure․ It's a free country and I can keep my mouth shut whenever I want!"
• After begging his mother to help him find an agent to become an actor, he would land his first professional gig as a teen doing stage work in New York City
• Landed the lead role on WB's "Dawson's Creek" which would eventually run for six seasons in 1997, his most well-known role to date
• Continued to pursue stage work following the end of "Dawson's Creek" in 2003 while also auditioning for various television spots as well
• His Dutch ancestry translates his surname into 'from the creek' oddly enough
• Participated in the filming of Ke$ha's music video for "Blow"