James Van Der Beek: Biography, Career Highlights, Family Life & Health Update (2025)

James Van Der Beek: Biography, Career & Recent Life

Full name: James David Van Der Beek
Born: March 8, 1977, Cheshire, Connecticut, USA

James is the eldest of three children, born to Jim Van Der Beek, a former baseball pitcher and later a cellular-phone company executive, and Melinda Van Der Beek, a former Broadway dancer and gymnastic studio owner.
He grew up in Cheshire, Connecticut, engaged in sports including football and baseball. A concussion in his early teens limited his participation in sports, which shifted his attention more toward acting.
While still in high school, he performed in school productions like Grease, which cemented his interest in acting. His mother supported him in auditioning and looking for an agent in New York City.

His first professional major break came when he was cast in the off-Broadway play Finding the Sun at age 16.
James’ breakout role was Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek, the teen drama that aired from 1998 to 2003. This role brought him wide recognition for his portrayal of a thoughtful, often intense teenage character.
He also acted in films like Varsity Blues (1999), Texas Rangers (2001), and The Rules of Attraction (2002). These helped him move into more varied roles beyond teen shows.
Over the years, Van Der Beek appeared in many TV series, both starring and guest roles. Some notable ones: CSI: Cyber, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, One Tree Hill among others.
He has also shown range by playing fictionalized versions of himself, doing comedy and drama, and balancing family life alongside his work.

In 2003 he married actress Heather McComb; they divorced in 2010. Later that same year, he married Kimberly Brook.
Together, James and Kimberly have six children. The couple has spoken publicly about miscarriages and the joys and challenges of fatherhood.
In 2020, the family moved from Los Angeles to Texas, seeking a different pace of life and more space.

In August 2023, Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. He revealed the diagnosis publicly in November 2024, emphasizing that the cancer was localized and that he is taking steps in treatment.
He has remained active in his professional life when health permitted, and is also outspoken about how his health journey has shaped his perspectives.

Van Der Beek is often remembered for Dawson’s Creek, which became a cultural touchstone in the late 1990s and early 2000s for its emotional depth, youth themes, and character relationships.
His ability to transition between film and TV, drama and comedy, and to periodically play versions of himself, shows versatility.
His openness about health, family, and the challenges of life beyond fame adds to his resonance with fans who admire authenticity.