History of James Van Der Beek in Timeline
James Van Der Beek is an American actor best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the television series Dawson's Creek (1998-2003). He has also portrayed a fictionalized version of himself in Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (2012-2013), starred in CSI: Cyber (2015-2016) as FBI Agent Elijah Mundo, and appeared in the FX drama Pose (2018). Van Der Beek's career spans various television roles, highlighting his versatility as a performer.
1950: Birth of Melinda Weber
In 1950, Melinda Weber, who would later become James Van Der Beek's mother, was born. She worked as a dancer and gymnastics teacher.
March 8, 1977: James Van Der Beek's Birth
On March 8, 1977, James David Van Der Beek was born. He is an American actor known for his role as Dawson Leery in "Dawson's Creek".
1993: Off-Broadway Debut in Finding the Sun
In 1993, at the age of 16, James Van Der Beek made his professional debut off-Broadway in the New York premiere of Edward Albee's play "Finding the Sun" with the Signature Theatre Company, playing the role of "Fergus".
1995: Film Debut in Angus
In 1995, while still in high school, James Van Der Beek made his feature film debut as a sadistic bully in "Angus".
1996: Role in I Love You, I Love You Not
In 1996, while still in high school, James Van Der Beek shot a small role in the independent film "I Love You, I Love You Not".
1997: Auditioning for Dawson's Creek
In early 1997, James Van Der Beek auditioned for three television pilots, including "Dawson's Creek".
1997: Filming Cash Crop
In the spring of 1997, James Van Der Beek played a supporting role in the independent film "Cash Crop", which was originally titled "Harvest".
1998: Debut of Dawson's Creek and Varsity Blues
In 1998, James Van Der Beek gained recognition for his role as Dawson Leery on The WB's "Dawson's Creek", which aired from 1998 to 2003. In 1998, he also appeared in the film "Varsity Blues".
1998: Debut of Dawson's Creek
In 1998, James Van Der Beek won the title role of Dawson Leery in "Dawson's Creek", and the show's debut was a success.
1998: Varsity Blues Film Credit
In 1998, James Van Der Beek's film credits included "Varsity Blues".
1999: Starring in Varsity Blues
In 1999, James Van Der Beek starred in the teen football drama "Varsity Blues", which was a box office success, and he won an MTV Movie Award for his role.
2001: Texas Rangers Film Credit
In 2001, James Van Der Beek's film credits included "Texas Rangers".
2001: Release of Cash Crop
In 2001, the independent film "Cash Crop", in which James Van Der Beek played a supporting role, was released, having been originally shot in the spring of 1997 and originally titled "Harvest".
2002: Role in The Rules of Attraction
In 2002, James Van Der Beek played Sean Bateman in the film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel "The Rules of Attraction".
2002: The Rules of Attraction Film Credit
In 2002, James Van Der Beek's film credits included "The Rules of Attraction".
2003: Return to Off-Broadway
After "Dawson's Creek" ended in 2003, James Van Der Beek returned to off-Broadway in Lanford Wilson's "Rain Dance".
2003: End of Dawson's Creek
In 2003, "Dawson's Creek", where James Van Der Beek played Dawson Leery, ended its run.
2003: Appearance in Rain Dance
In 2003, James Van Der Beek appeared off-Broadway in the play "Rain Dance" briefly.
2003: Marriage to Heather McComb
In 2003, James Van Der Beek married actress Heather McComb.
2006: Appearance in The Plague
In 2006, James Van Der Beek appeared in the Direct-to-DVD thriller "The Plague".
2007: Guest Role on Criminal Minds
In 2007, James Van Der Beek guest-starred in a two-part episode of the series "Criminal Minds", playing a serial killer.
2008: Recurring Role on One Tree Hill
In 2008, James Van Der Beek began a recurring role on "One Tree Hill" as a filmmaker.
2008: Guest Appearance on How I Met Your Mother
In 2008, James Van Der Beek made a guest appearance on "How I Met Your Mother" as Simon, one of Robin Scherbatsky’s early boyfriends.
April 2009: Separation from Heather McComb
In April 2009, James Van Der Beek and actress Heather McComb separated.
2009: Portrayal of Anthony Steven Wright and Best Actor Award
In 2009, James Van Der Beek portrayed real life kidnapper Anthony Steven "Tony Zappa" Wright in the Lifetime network television film "Taken In Broad Daylight". In 2009, he also won Best Actor at the San Diego Film Festival for his role in "Formosa Betrayed".
2009: Formosa Betrayed Film Credit
In 2009, James Van Der Beek's film credits included "Formosa Betrayed".
January 5, 2010: Casting in Mercy
On January 5, 2010, it was confirmed that James Van Der Beek had been cast in a major recurring role on the television series "Mercy", playing Dr. Joe Briggs.
February 26, 2010: Theatrical Distribution of Formosa Betrayed
On February 26, 2010, "Formosa Betrayed", starring James Van Der Beek, was distributed theatrically in the United States.
August 1, 2010: Marriage to Kimberly Brook
On August 1, 2010, James Van Der Beek married business consultant Kimberly Brook in a small ceremony in Tel Aviv, Israel.
2010: Finalization of Divorce from Heather McComb
In 2010, James Van Der Beek's divorce from Heather McComb was finalized.
2011: Appearance in Kesha's Music Video and Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
In 2011, James Van Der Beek portrayed Kesha's nemesis in her music video for "Blow". He also portrayed a fictionalized version of himself on the television series "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23".
2012: Starring in Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23
In 2012, James Van Der Beek starred as a fictionalized version of himself on the ABC sitcom "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23".
2013: Labor Day Film Credit
In 2013, James Van Der Beek's film credits included "Labor Day".
2013: Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 End
In 2013, the ABC sitcom "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23", where James Van Der Beek played a fictionalized version of himself, ended.
2014: Birth of Daughter
In 2014, James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Brook welcomed one of their four daughters.
March 4, 2015: Debut on CSI: Cyber
On March 4, 2015, James Van Der Beek began his role as Senior Field Agent Elijah Mundo on "CSI: Cyber".
2015: Starring on CSI: Cyber
In 2015, James Van Der Beek starred on "CSI: Cyber" as FBI Agent Elijah Mundo.
2016: Birth of Daughter
In 2016, James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Brook welcomed one of their four daughters.
2016: End of role on CSI: Cyber
In 2016, James Van Der Beek's role as FBI Agent Elijah Mundo on "CSI: Cyber" concluded.
2017: Appearance in Carters Get Rich and Downsizing
In 2017, James Van Der Beek appeared in the British comedy series "Carters Get Rich" and made a cameo in the film "Downsizing". He also voices Boris Hauntley in the Disney Junior show "Vampirina".
2018: Birth of Daughter
In 2018, James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Brook welcomed one of their four daughters.
2018: Appearance on Pose
In 2018, James Van Der Beek appeared as Matt Bromley on the first season of the FX drama "Pose".
November 2019: Miscarriage
In November 2019, James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Brook suffered a miscarriage, a month after announcing her pregnancy.
2019: Cast in Pose
In 2019, James Van Der Beek was cast in the Emmy-nominated "Pose" as Matt Bromley on FX for one season.
September 2020: Move to Texas
In September 2020, James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Brook announced that they were leaving Los Angeles and moving to Texas.
2020: Bad Hair Film Credit
In 2020, James Van Der Beek's film credits included "Bad Hair".
2020: Death of Melinda Weber
In 2020, Melinda (née Weber), James Van Der Beek's mother who was a former dancer and gymnastics teacher, passed away.
November 22, 2021: Announcement on Instagram
On November 22, 2021, James Van Der Beek announced on Instagram that he and Kimberly Brook had waited five weeks to publicly announce the arrival of their sixth child and disclosed that she had suffered two miscarriages.
August 31, 2023: Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer
On August 31, 2023, James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
November 2024: Public Announcement of Cancer Diagnosis
In November 2024, James Van Der Beek publicly announced his colorectal cancer diagnosis, which he had received on August 31, 2023.
2025: Appearance on The Masked Singer
In 2025, James Van Der Beek competed on season thirteen of "The Masked Singer" as "Griffin" and was eliminated in the "Group B Finals: Grand Ole Opry Night".
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