Person

James Van Der Beek

Acting · 1977–2026 · 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.

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  Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

  Sean Albert

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  Criminal Minds

  Tobias Hankel

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  The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

  Self

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  Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

  Self - Guest

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  Modern Family

  Bo Johnson

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  Late Night with Seth Meyers

  Self

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  One Tree Hill

  Adam Reese

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  How I Met Your Mother

  Simon Tremblay

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  Saturday Night Live

  Self - Host

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  Law & Order: Criminal Intent

  Rex Tamlyn

• 2026The GatesJacob
• 2025Sidelined 2: InterceptedLeroy Lahey
• 2025OvercompensatingCharlie
• 2025Devil May CryIn Memory Of
• 2025Sidelined: The QB and MeLeroy Lahey
• 2024The Real Full MontySelf
• 2022The Jennifer Hudson ShowSelf
• 2021Bad HairGrant Madison
• 2021Fast FoodiesSelf
• 2021WalkerNew Neighbour
• 2020All-Time Favorite NFL Players Named by Celebrities, Players, and CoachesSelf
• 2020Home Movie: The Princess BridePrince Humperdinck
• 2020The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVUSelf
• 2019Jay and Silent Bob RebootSelf
• 2019Under A Rock with Tig NotaroSelf - Guest
• 2019The Masked SingerSelf - Griffin
• 2018POSEMatt
• 2018What the FitSelf
• 2018The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHaleSelf - Guest
• 2017DownsizingAnesthesiologist
• 2017Sea OakMr. Frendt
• 2017Drop the MicSelf
• 2017VampirinaBoris Hauntley (voice)
• 2017What Would Diplo Do?Diplo
• 2017Room 104Scott
• 2016The $100,000 PyramidSelf
• 2016Match GameSelf - Panelist
• 2015The Late Late Show with James CordenSelf
• 2015CSI: CyberElijah Mundo
• 2014Friends with Better LivesWill Stokes
• 2014Late Night with Seth MeyersSelf
• 2014The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonSelf
• 2013Labor DayOfficer Treadwell
• 2013The Magic BraceletJoe
• 2012BackwardsGeoff
• 2012The Eric Andre ShowSelf
• 2012Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23James Van Der Beek
• 2011Salem FallsJack St. Bride
• 2011Franklin & BashNathan
• 2011The Big BangAdam Nova
• 2011DILF KhakisSelf
• 2011Van Der Week: Behind the ScenesSelf
• 2011VandermemesSelf
• 2011Asshole for HireSelf
• 2010Inspired by Bret Easton EllisSean Bateman
• 2010Formosa BetrayedJake Kelly
• 2009Mrs. MiracleSeth Webster
• 2009Taken in Broad DaylightTony Zappa
• 2009StolenDiploma / Roggiani
• 2009Modern FamilyBo Johnson
• 2009MercyDr. Joe Briggs
• 2009The ForgottenJudd Shaw
• 2009The StormDr. Jonathan Kirk
• 2009Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenSelf - Guest
• 2008Free RadioSelf
• 2007Eye of the BeastDan Leland
• 2007Final DraftPaul Twist
• 2007Robot Chicken: Star WarsBush's Aide (voice) (archive sound)
• 2006Ugly BettyLuke Carnes
• 2006The PlagueTom Russell
• 2006Danny Roane: First Time DirectorSelf
• 2005Criminal MindsTobias Hankel
• 2005How I Met Your MotherSimon Tremblay
• 2005Dancing with the StarsSelf - Contestant
• 2005MediumDylan Hoyt
• 2005Standing StillSimon
• 2004Oh, What a Lovely Tea PartySelf
• 2004The SoupSelf
• 2003Dawson's Creek - The Series Finale (Extended Cut)Dawson Leery
• 2003One Tree HillAdam Reese
• 2003Jimmy Kimmel Live!Self
• 2002The Rules of AttractionSean Bateman
• 2002CMT Music AwardsSelf - Presenter
• 2001Texas RangersLincoln Rogers Dunnison
• 2001Law & Order: Criminal IntentRex Tamlyn
• 2001Jay and Silent Bob Strike BackJames Van Der Beek (uncredited)
• 2000Scary MovieDawson Leary (uncredited)
• 1999Law & Order: Special Victims UnitSean Albert
• 1999Teen Choice AwardsSelf
• 1999HarvestJames Peterson
• 1999Varsity BluesJonathan 'Mox' Moxon
• 1998The Panel
• 1998Dawson's CreekDawson Leery
• 1997EP Daily
• 1997The ViewSelf
• 1996I Love You, I Love You NotTony
• 1996Aliens in the FamilyEthan
• 1995AngusRick Sandford
• 1992The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
• 1991Clarissa Explains It AllPaulie
• 1975Saturday Night LiveSelf - Host