 Much like the character he portrays, James Van Der Beek's dedication and talent surfaced at an early age. A mild concussion sidelined his school football career, and instead Van Der Beek found himself playing the lead role in a local children's theater production of "Grease." He fell in love with the theater and continued to perform locally. Football resurfaced later, however, when he starred last year in the film "Varsity Blues" as a Texas college football player. The film was a hit and Van Der Beek's performance cemented his reputation in the world of film as well as television.
"Dawson reminds me of myself when I was 16," says Van Der Beek. I grew up in a small New England town and vacationed on Cape Cod, where the show takes place, and we both come from loving, supportive homes. We also look alike," jokes the 22-year-old actor.
Says Van Der Beek, "Dawson is a burgeoning filmmaker, whose over-active imagination and idealism sometimes make him oblivious. He's a bit of an innocent and is frequently off in his own little world, all of which I can definitely relate to."
When Van Der Beek was 16, his mother, noting his intense interest in performing, offered to support his aspirations by accompanying him on daily six-hour round trips into New York City, to test the waters. At 17, Van Der Beek was cast in the off-Broadway play "Finding the Sun," written and directed by Edward Albee. Juggling the long commute for rehearsals and performances during the play's limited three-month run while attending high school, Van Der Beek credits the play as the defining experience for him as an actor - and he still managed to finish the school year second in his class.
After his off-Broadway debut, he went on to star in "Shenandoah" at the Goodspeed Opera House. His first screen performance occurred in the 1995 feature film "Angus" as an arrogant jock. In addition to "Varsity Blues," Van Der Beek also appeared in the earlier films, "I Love You...I Love You Not" (Miramax) with Claire Danes and the independent feature "Harvest." During his most recent hiatus from DAWSON'S CREEK, Van Der Beek filmed a starring role in the upcoming western, "Texas Rangers."
An excellent student, Van Der Beek received an academic scholarship to attend Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, where he majored in English and Sociology and made the Dean's List prior to beginning work in Wilmington, North Carolina on DAWSON'S CREEK.
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