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Key moments and achievements from James Van Der Beek's life.
James was born
· Austin, Texas, U.S.
Career Milestone
At age 17, while still a student at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, Van Der Beek made his feature film debut as Rick Sandford in Angus (1995). He had started acting at 13 after a football injury kept him off the field, leading him to take the lead in a school production of Grease.
Career Milestone
At age 17, while still a student at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, Van Der Beek made his feature film debut as Rick Sandford in Angus (1995). He had started acting at 13 after a football injury kept him off the field, leading him to take the lead in a school production of Grease.
Career Milestone
In early 1997, Van Der Beek won the title role of Dawson Leery on the WB series Dawson's Creek. The show's 1998 debut became a breakout success that helped establish the network, running for six seasons and 128 episodes and becoming syndicated worldwide.
Career Milestone
In early 1997, Van Der Beek won the title role of Dawson Leery on the WB series Dawson's Creek. The show's 1998 debut became a breakout success that helped establish the network, running for six seasons and 128 episodes and becoming syndicated worldwide.
Career Achievement
In 1999, Van Der Beek starred in the teen football drama Varsity Blues, which held the number-one spot at the U.S. box office for its first two weeks. The role earned him an MTV Movie Award for Best Male Breakthrough Performance and expanded his audience beyond television.
Career Achievement
In 1999, Van Der Beek starred in the teen football drama Varsity Blues, which held the number-one spot at the U.S. box office for its first two weeks. The role earned him an MTV Movie Award for Best Male Breakthrough Performance and expanded his audience beyond television.
Won Award
Van Der Beek received the MTV Movie Award for Best Male Breakthrough Performance for his starring role in Varsity Blues. The award cemented his status as one of the most recognizable young actors of the late 1990s.
Won Award
Van Der Beek received the MTV Movie Award for Best Male Breakthrough Performance for his starring role in Varsity Blues. The award cemented his status as one of the most recognizable young actors of the late 1990s.
Career Achievement
After Dawson's Creek ended in 2003, Van Der Beek continued working steadily in both film and television. He appeared on shows including Criminal Minds, Ugly Betty, How I Met Your Mother, One Tree Hill, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, demonstrating his range as an actor.
Career Achievement
After Dawson's Creek ended in 2003, Van Der Beek continued working steadily in both film and television. He appeared on shows including Criminal Minds, Ugly Betty, How I Met Your Mother, One Tree Hill, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, demonstrating his range as an actor.
James Van Der Beek passed away
