Dawsons Creek start James Van Der Beek is just starting his career in the limelight. At the age of 24, he has become the heartthrob of teen's across the country. He landed the lead role in Dawsons Creek thanks to the guidance of Kevin Williamson. When James went to the audition, his first attempt was a failure due to nervousness. The show's creator Kevin Williamson, though, took the time to talk to him and calm him down. His second reading knocked their socks off and he was immediately given the lead. The success of Dawsons creek has boosted James' film career. He recently got a role in the movie Varsity Blues. As a former football player himself, he could relate well to his character in the movie. Some early works of James' include Angus (1995), and I Love You... I Love You Not (1996).

Though new to the world as a star, James Van Der Beek has been acting since the age of 13. When James was 13 his world was filled with school, family, and football. A accident on the field lead him to be sidelined from football for a year. To fill his suddenly "free" time, James turned to acting. He managed to land the lead in a local production of "Grease" which hooked him. He convinced his mother, a former dancer, to allow him to attend audition's in New York. Even so, it wasn't until Dawsons Creek that he managed to hit the big times.

James was born March 8, 1977 in Chesire, Connecticut to Jim and Melinda Van Der Beek. Jim is a telephone executive and his mother owns a gymnastics studio. James is the oldest of three children. He has a brother Jared who achieved notoriety in his hometown as a High School football player. James also has a sister Juliana. James a former athletic jock, received a scholarship to attend Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. He was pursuing a degree in English with a Sociology minor. Though James put his degree on hold to join Dawsons Creek, he intends to complete it eventually.

James' notoriety came with the success of Dawsons Creek. His stardom has brought him to the attention of producers and directors alike. It won't be surprising as the young James broadens his resume through film and television. It was fate that began his career in acting, otherwise who knows what the former football player might have done.