See James Van Der Beek's Life and Career in Photos as the Actor Celebrates His 48th Birthday Today

Mar. 15, 2025

James Van Der Beek.Photo:Michael Buckner/Deadline/Penske Media via Getty

Michael Buckner/Deadline/Penske Media via Getty

And beyond his résumé, Van Der Beek has also had a jam packed personal life as well — welcoming six children with his wifeKimberly, who he wed in 2010.

From young adult fame to his recent journey with cancer, take a look back at Van Der Beek’s life and career in photos as the actor celebrates his 48th birthday on March 8, 2025.

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James Van Der Beek’s Early Days

James Van Der Beek in 1997.Judie Burstein/Globe Photos/ZUMAPRESS.com/Alamy

Judie Burstein/Globe Photos/ZUMAPRESS.com/Alamy

James Van Der Beek was born on March 8, 1977 in Connecticut. Becoming an actor wasn’t on his radar as a kid, instead, he hoped to be an athlete, he toldABC News.

02of 14James Van Der Beek’s First RolesJames Van Der Beek and Ariana Richards in ‘Angus.'.Francois Duhamel/New Line Cinema/Courtesy EverettThat year he’d also land his first movie role for the 1995 filmAngus,which he appeared in withKathy Batesand Ariana Richards (above.)

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James Van Der Beek’s First Roles

James Van Der Beek and Ariana Richards in ‘Angus.'.Francois Duhamel/New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett

Francois Duhamel/New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett

That year he’d also land his first movie role for the 1995 filmAngus,which he appeared in withKathy Batesand Ariana Richards (above.)

03of 14James Van Der Beek’s Breakout RoleJames Van Der Beek on Dawson’s Creek.GettyEverything changed when, at 20-years-old, the actor — who at that point had appeared on a few episodes ofAs the World Turnsas well as an off-Broadway production ofFinding the Sunin New York City — booked the role of Dawson Leery onDawson’s Creek.

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James Van Der Beek’s Breakout Role

James Van Der Beek on Dawson’s Creek.Getty

Getty

Everything changed when, at 20-years-old, the actor — who at that point had appeared on a few episodes ofAs the World Turnsas well as an off-Broadway production ofFinding the Sunin New York City — booked the role of Dawson Leery onDawson’s Creek.

04of 14James Van Der Beek on ‘Dawson’s Creek’Katie Holmes (Joey Potter), James Van Der Beek (Dawson Leery), Michelle Williams (Jennifer Lindley) and Joshua Jackson in ‘Dawson’s Creek.'.Getty ImagesThe show, which aired from 1998 to 2003, also starred a slew of other up-and-comers includingKatie Holmes,Michelle WilliamsandJoshua Jackson— all seen here on set.Adjusting to the newfound fame from the hit teen drama was an adjustment, Van Der Beektold PEOPLE years later.“Getting recognized is something that took me a long time… I had a big learning curve on it,” he revealed.

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James Van Der Beek on ‘Dawson’s Creek’

Katie Holmes (Joey Potter), James Van Der Beek (Dawson Leery), Michelle Williams (Jennifer Lindley) and Joshua Jackson in ‘Dawson’s Creek.'.Getty Images

Getty Images

The show, which aired from 1998 to 2003, also starred a slew of other up-and-comers includingKatie Holmes,Michelle WilliamsandJoshua Jackson— all seen here on set.

Adjusting to the newfound fame from the hit teen drama was an adjustment, Van Der Beektold PEOPLE years later.

“Getting recognized is something that took me a long time… I had a big learning curve on it,” he revealed.

05of 14James Van Der Beek in ‘Varsity Blues’Ron Lester, Scott Caan, James Van Der Beek, Paul Walker and Eliel Swinton in ‘Varsity Blues.'.Deana Newcomb/ParamountAmid his time on the show, Van Der Beek also stepped back into film with a leading role in 1999’sVarsity Bluesalongside Jon Voight andPaul Walker.

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James Van Der Beek in ‘Varsity Blues’

Ron Lester, Scott Caan, James Van Der Beek, Paul Walker and Eliel Swinton in ‘Varsity Blues.'.Deana Newcomb/Paramount

Deana Newcomb/Paramount

Amid his time on the show, Van Der Beek also stepped back into film with a leading role in 1999’sVarsity Bluesalongside Jon Voight andPaul Walker.

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James Van Der Beek’s Awards

Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty

07of 14James Van Der Beek in ‘The Rules of Attraction’Kate Bosworth and James Van Der Beek in ‘The Rules of Attraction.'.Lynn Alston/LionsgateIn 2002 Van Der Beek was back in film — this time as a college freshman — inThe Rules of Attractionwith the likes of Ian Somerhalder,Jessica BielandKate Bosworth(seen here with Van Der Beek in the film.)

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James Van Der Beek in ‘The Rules of Attraction’

Kate Bosworth and James Van Der Beek in ‘The Rules of Attraction.'.Lynn Alston/Lionsgate

Lynn Alston/Lionsgate

In 2002 Van Der Beek was back in film — this time as a college freshman — inThe Rules of Attractionwith the likes of Ian Somerhalder,Jessica BielandKate Bosworth(seen here with Van Der Beek in the film.)

08of 14James Van Der Beek on StageJeff Daniels, Randolph Mantooth and James Van Der Beek.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagicAsDawson’s Creekcame to an end in 2003, Van Der Beek returned to his theater roots and appeared in an Off-Broadway production ofRain Dancewith Randolph Mantooth (seen here along with Jeff Daniels, who was also involved in the production.)

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James Van Der Beek on Stage

Jeff Daniels, Randolph Mantooth and James Van Der Beek.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

AsDawson’s Creekcame to an end in 2003, Van Der Beek returned to his theater roots and appeared in an Off-Broadway production ofRain Dancewith Randolph Mantooth (seen here along with Jeff Daniels, who was also involved in the production.)

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James Van Der Beek Marries Kimberly Brook

James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Van Der Beek on their wedding day.James Van Der Beek Instagram

James Van Der Beek Instagram

“We’ve gone through success, tragedy, joy, stress, triumph, uncertainty, and through it all… these have been the best years of my life. Every moment. Because I have the BEST adventure partner,” he wrote in ananniversary post on Instagramback in 2023.

“Our life is CRAZY right now. We might be crazier. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

10of 14James Van Der Beek on ‘Dancing with the Stars’Emma Slater and James Van Der Beek on ‘Dancing with the Stars.'.Eric McCandless/ABC via GettyVan Der Beek joined the cast ofDancing with the Starsin 2019, competing with partnerEmma Slater. He made it far in the competition — getting eliminated just  one week ahead of the finale.

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James Van Der Beek on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Emma Slater and James Van Der Beek on ‘Dancing with the Stars.'.Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty

Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty

Van Der Beek joined the cast ofDancing with the Starsin 2019, competing with partnerEmma Slater. He made it far in the competition — getting eliminated just  one week ahead of the finale.

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James Van Der Beek as a Dad of 6!

James Van Der Beek with his six kids.James Van Der Beek/Instagram

James Van Der Beek/Instagram

In addition to his accomplishments as an actor and performer,Van Der Beek is also a dad six times over, welcoming his first child, Olivia, with Kimberly weeks after tying the knot.

12of 14James Van Der Beek’s Recent RolesJames Van Der Beek and Patricia Arquette in ‘CSI: Cyber.'.Sonja Flemming/CBSOver the last decade Van Der Beek has continued to act appearing in shows likeDon’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23from 2012 to 2013, some episodes ofHow I Met Your Mother, a recurring role inCSI: Cyberand in 2018 played Matt Bromley onPose.From 2017 to 2021 he lent his voice to the animated seriesVampirinaand last year appeared in the Tubi original movieSidelined: The QB and Me.

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James Van Der Beek’s Recent Roles

James Van Der Beek and Patricia Arquette in ‘CSI: Cyber.'.Sonja Flemming/CBS

Sonja Flemming/CBS

Over the last decade Van Der Beek has continued to act appearing in shows likeDon’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23from 2012 to 2013, some episodes ofHow I Met Your Mother, a recurring role inCSI: Cyberand in 2018 played Matt Bromley onPose.

From 2017 to 2021 he lent his voice to the animated seriesVampirinaand last year appeared in the Tubi original movieSidelined: The QB and Me.

13of 14James Van Der Beek’s HealthJames Van Der Beek on the cover of PEOPLE in November 2024.Peter YangIn 2024, Van Der Beek revealed he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at 46, after noticing changes in his bowel movements in the summer of 2023.“This has been a crash course in the mastery of mind, body, and spirit,” heexplained to PEOPLE in a November 2024 cover story, though declined to share details about his specific treatment plan. “I thought, ‘This is either going to take me out of the body, or it’s going to teach me how to truly live in it.’”

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James Van Der Beek’s Health

James Van Der Beek on the cover of PEOPLE in November 2024.Peter Yang

Peter Yang

In 2024, Van Der Beek revealed he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at 46, after noticing changes in his bowel movements in the summer of 2023.

“This has been a crash course in the mastery of mind, body, and spirit,” heexplained to PEOPLE in a November 2024 cover story, though declined to share details about his specific treatment plan. “I thought, ‘This is either going to take me out of the body, or it’s going to teach me how to truly live in it.’”

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James Van Der Beek Today

In late 2024, Van Der Beek joinedAnthony Anderson,Taye Diggs,Chris Jones,Tyler PoseyandBruno Toniolito perform inThe Real Full Montyspecial on Fox which sought to raise awareness for prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer testing and research.

Whenspeaking to PEOPLEfor the November cover, Van Der Beek said he didn’t want to discuss the stages of recovery or remission.

“I’m very cautiously optimistic. I’m in a place of healing, my energy levels are great,” he said. “When I’ve been out of the woods completely for what feels like a responsible amount of time, I’ll circle back and let you know.”

Adding, “I have a lot to live for.”

source: people.com