Biography
Van Der Beek was born in Cheshire, Connecticut to James Van Der Beek (a cellular phone company account manager and former pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers) and Melinda (a gymnastics studio owner and former Broadway dancer); he has a brother, Jared (born 1979) and a sister, Juliana (born 1981). Van Der Beek attended Cheshire Academy (a private school), where he played football, although he suffered a concussion which prevented him from continuing his interest in the game. He was identified as being dyslexic during his childhood, but became an honors student in his school.
He began acting at age 13, playing Danny Zuko in his school's performance of Grease. Van Der Beek began auditioning in New York City at age 16 and appeared in the off-Broadway play Finding the Sun, as well as in the play Shenandoah in 1994. Later, he was given a scholarship to attend Drew University, where he was an English major and participated in an all-male a cappella group, 36 Madison Avenue.
Career
Van Der Beek started his film career with a supporting role in the teen-oriented movie Angus in 1995. However, he did not gain wide renown until 1998, when he was cast in the lead role of Dawson Leery on the television series Dawson's Creek. He stopped attending college in order to film the series, but plans to return in order to complete his degree.
The series was a big success among its intended teenage audience, and Van Der Beek became a well known teen idol.
In 1999, Van Der beek appeared in the film Varsity Blues, as a player on a Texas high school football team. The film was considered successful, grossing $52 million. He subsequently appeared in "Texas Rangers" and The Rules of Attraction, both of which performed poorly at the box office.
In 1998, Van Der Beek was chosen as one of People Magazine's "50 most beautiful people in the world".
Personal life
Van Der Beek married actress Heather McComb in July 2003; he lives primarily in New York City.
He enjoys playing the guitar and participating in sports; his favorite football team is the Green Bay Packers.
Selected filmography
2002 - The Rules of Attraction - Sean Bateman
2001 - Texas Rangers - Lincoln Rogers Dunnison
1999 - Varsity Blues - Jonathon 'Mox' Moxon
Awards
Van Der Beek has won the following awards:
the 1999 MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Male Performance (for Varsity Blues)
the 2001 MTV Movie Award for Best Cameo in a Movie (for Scary Movie)
He was also nominated for the 2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor - Newcomer (for Varsity Blues)
Interviews
collection of interviews at :James Van Der Beek Online
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:
James Van Der Beek
