James William Van Der Beek, Jr. was born on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, USA as the oldest of three children to father Jim Van Der Beek, a cellular-phone company executive and mother Melinda Van Der Beek, a gymnastics studio owner and former Broadway dancer. James has a brother named Jared who was born in 1979 and a sister named Juliana who was born in 1981. James started acting at 13 after suffering a concussion playing football that prevented him from playing for a year on doctor's orders. He landed the role of Danny Zuko in his school production of "Grease." After that, the acting bug sank in and the next three years he spent time doing local theater. Around 16, he and his mother went to New York City to find an agent and possible auditions. A year later, he was cast in an off-Broadway play called "Finding the Sun." After doing another play called "Shenandoah" in 1994, James received an academic scholarship to Drew University in NJ, where he was working towards obtaining a major in English with a minor in sociology and also at that time he won the role of Rick Sanford in the movie Angus. In 1996, he won a very small supporting role in I Love You, I Love You Not which starred Claire Danes. After that film his acting career was at a dead end and he decided to continue with his schooling and eventually made the Dean's list. The college experience soon became old for James, so he took some time off to travel and when he returned he auditioned for a role in Dawson's Creek. He won the lead in the show, and his life changed forever. Though James has taken a hiatus from his college studies to shoot the series, he still plans to finish his degree. He has also been seen starring in several hit films over the past couple of years like Varsity Blues and Texas Rangers.
Texas Rangers (2001): $3,000,000
Varsity Blues (1999): $200,000

Was an English major at Drew University before leaving school to do Dawson's Creek. Was roommates with Joshua Jackson during the first season of Dawson's Creek. He is the oldest of three children. His father is a cellular phone salesman and his mother runs a gymnastics studio. Chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. [1998] He started acting because a concussion stopped him from playing football. Was identified as dyslexic in kindergarden and learned to read in a special class. Later became an honors student. Has a brother Jared (1979) and a sister Julianne (1981) His favourite city is New York His favourite group is the Dave Matthews Band and his favourite ice-cream is Vanilla. He won a MTV video award for Varsity Blues, and another for the best cameo with Scary Movie. His favourite football team is Green Bay Packers. His hobbies are: playing the guitar, sleeping, staying with his friends and playing sports. His favourite movie is The Shawshank Redemption. Lives in New York City for most of the summer - when his show is on hiatus or when he is not shooting a film. James enjoys watching football on weekends and still plays football with his friends whenever he has the time. The necklace that he wore on Dawson's Creek was made by his mother. Is a Dutch-American Oddly, the literal translation of his Dutch surname means 'from the creek'. Brother-in-law of Jennifer McComb. Shares a birthday with Freddie Prinze Jr. and Camryn Manheim. Met his wife after her sister, Jennifer McComb, played a small guest-role in an episode of "Dawson's Creek." Jennifer kept in touch with the "Dawson's" crew and introduced James and Heather.