Biography - James Van Der Beek

Who is James Van Der Beek?

James Van Der Beek is an actor by profession and American by nationality. He is best known for starring as Dawson Leery in the TV series Dawson's Creek.

James Van Der Beek – Bio, Age, Parents, Siblings

James Van Der Beek’s birth took place on 8 March 1977 in Cheshire, Connecticut, USA. He was born as James David Van Der Beek Jr. to his mother Melinda Van Der Beek, a former Broadway dancer and gymnastics teacher, and his father James William Van Der Beek, a cellular phone company executive and former professional baseball pitcher. 

He is not the only child of his parents and has two younger siblings- sister Juliana Van Der Beek and brother Jared Van Der Beek.

Education, Ethnicity

For education, James Van Der Beek attended Cheshire Academy and went on to study at Drew University on an academic scholarship. But he dropped out to pursue a career in acting.

His ethnicity includes Dutch, German, and English.

James Van Der Beek – Girlfriend, Wife, Children, Divorce

James Van Der Beek married his longtime girlfriend Heather McComb on 5 July 2003. They were married until their separation, followed by divorce on 3 June 2010. 

He went on to date and marry business consultant Kimberly Brook on August 1, 2010. He and his wife have six children together- four daughters and two sons. 

His daughters are named Olivia Van Der Beek (born September 25, 2010), Emilia Van Der Beek (born March 23, 2016), Annabel Leah Van Der Beek (born January 25, 2014), Gwendolyn Van Der Beek (born June 15, 2018) and his son Joshua Van Der Beek (born March 13, 2012). 

In September 2018 Kimberly Brook revealed that she has suffered three miscarriages in her life. Currently, the couple is living without rumors of extra-marital affairs or divorce.

The couple shared their happy news on 8 October 2019 via social media that Brook was pregnant with the couple's sixth child. On November 18, 2019, Brook's husband revealed that they had suffered a life-threatening miscarriage. He further revealed that they had suffered miscarriages before but had not suffered one late in pregnancy. Their baby was due in April 2020.

After two miscarriages, they welcomed their son Jeremiah Van Der Beek in October 2021.

Currently, the married couple is living without rumors of extra-marital affairs or divorce.

Also read: Mary-Margaret Humes - Actress of Dawson's Creek 

James Van Der Beek – Career

Early Career

James Van Der Beek was 15 years old when he asked his mother to take him to New York City so that he could get an agent. A year later, in 1993, he made his professional debut off-Broadway in Edward Albee's play Finding the Sun. 

Van Der Beek continued to portray minor roles in films Angus (1995), I Love You, I Love You Not (1996), and in the TV series As the World Turns (1995). His breakthrough role came in 1998 with the series Dawson's Creek as Dawson Leery and in the 2000 film Varsity Blues.

Series, Films

Over the years, James Van Der Beek has starred in films Texas Rangers (2001), The Rules of Attraction (2002), The Plague (2006), Stolen (2009), Labor Day (2013), Power/Rangers (2015), Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019).

He has also portrayed roles in TV series Criminal Minds (2007), One Tree Hill (2008-2009), Mercy (2010), Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (2012-2013), Friends with Better Lives (2014), Vampirina (2017-present). Van Der Beek competed in season 28 of Dancing with the Stars.

Also read: Sasha Alexander - Actress of Dawson's Creek 

Co-stars

James Van Der Beek starred in Vampirina alongside Wanda Sykes, Mitchell Whitfield, Patti LuPone, and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

James Van Der Beek – Awards, Nominations

James Van Der Beek has been nominated for three Teen Choice Awards, and Blockbuster Entertainment Awards and has won two MTV Movie Awards, one Teen Choice Award, one San Diego Film Festival, and one NewNowNext Award.

James Van Der Beek – Net Worth, Salary

His net worth is estimated to be around $8 million while his annual salary is under review.

James Van Der Beek – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

On social media, Van Der Beek is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with almost a million followers. 

Also read: Ben Gerrard - Actor of Wolf Creek 2