Date of Birth

8 March 1977, Cheshire, Connecticut, USA

Birth Name

James William Van Der Beek Jr.

Nickname

Baby James, Beek

Height

6' (1.83 m)

Mini Biography

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 (1995). In 1996, he won a very small supporting role in I Love You, I Love You Not (1996) 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" (1998). 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 (1999) and Texas Rangers (2001).

Spouse

Heather McComb (5 July 2003 - present)

Trivia

Was an English major at Drew University before leaving school to do "Dawson's Creek" (1998).

Was roommates with Joshua Jackson during the first season of "Dawson's Creek" (1998).

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 Movie Award for Varsity Blues (1999), and another for the best cameo with Scary Movie (2000).

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 (1994).

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" (1998) 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.

There was a third story in Storytelling (2001) with Van Der Beek as a college student realizing his sexuality, which was subsequently cut out of the film.

Personal Quotes

"I love New York City. Everyone is busy with their own lives - and no one is interested in some Hollywood celebrity walking past in downtown Manhattan.Thats why it's my favorite city. You can do what you want without attracting a crowd of curious onlookers".

"I'm not about to talk about what's romantic in my life - I figure if you talk about it once - then that's an open invitation for everyone to dig into your personal life even further. So, I just keep my private life to myself. If people want to write anything about me, then can go ahead and do whatever they want. But they won't get a comment out of me, that's for sure. It's a free country and I can keep my mouth shut whenever I want"!

[Talking about shooting a TV show] "Sometimes it can be really stressful. But that's where it's important to have a close cast working together. On our show - Michelle, Katie, Josh and I get along really well. We all started together - and we back each other whenever we have any problems with the writers. So if there's unity amongst the cast then that reduces the level of stress and tension that can work its way into a long running show".

Salary

Texas Rangers (2001) $3,000,000 Varsity Blues (1999) $200,000

Where Are They Now

(June 2003) In off-Broadway play Rain Dance and filming _Standing Still (2003/II)_.

~ Updated: 2008-12-04 ~