James Van Der Beek became a ’90s heartthrob in Dawson’s Creek – but his legacy extends far beyond that

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Since the sad news about James Van Der Beek, people have been talking a lot about Dawson’s Creek. The show was truly groundbreaking for television in the ’90s, and it paved the way for many of the teen dramas we enjoy today. It’s easy to think of countless shows that likely wouldn’t exist without Dawson’s Creek leading the charge.

A lot of things came together to make this show a success, but the actors were truly the driving force behind its six-season run. It’s not surprising that so many of them, like Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams, went on to achieve even bigger things in their careers.

Dawson’s Creek wouldn’t have existed without Kevin Williamson, and Williamson wouldn’t have had the opportunity without Joshua Jackson. They were essential to each other’s success.

At just 20 years old, Van Der Beek landed a career-defining role and quickly became a teen idol. He was part of a popular love triangle that continues to spark debate among fans, who still passionately argue whether they were ‘Team Dawson’ or ‘Team Pacey’.

That’s only a small glimpse of all the excitement and gossip that filled this town over the years. The local teens were constantly analyzing every little thing – their feelings, what happened each day – just like teenagers do.

When people think of Dawson’s Creek today, they often remember the over-the-top drama and the many internet memes it inspired – even Van Der Beek jokingly called them ‘Vandermemes.’ But it’s important to remember the skillful and heartfelt performance Van Der Beek gave. Whether Dawson was caught in a love triangle with Pacey or grieving his father in the powerful episode ‘The Last Goodbye,’ Van Der Beek showed real talent beneath the character’s youthful appeal.

It’s a classic Hollywood worry – becoming instantly known for one role and being forever defined by it. But after hearing about Van Der Beek’s recent passing, I’ve noticed something interesting: fans aren’t just remembering him as Dawson. They’re celebrating a whole range of characters he brought to life, which is really heartwarming to see.

After his time on Dawson’s Creek, Van der Beek intentionally took on roles that challenged his wholesome image, creating much more layered characters. One early example was in the 2003 film The Rules of Attraction, where he played Sean Bateman, the brother of the infamous Patrick Bateman. This was unexpected for fans of his earlier work, but he continued to prove he wasn’t just trying to shock audiences with these new, complex roles.

Van Der Beek continued to embrace comedic and unexpected roles, appearing in shows like Robot Chicken and the film Jay & Silent Bob Reboot. He even played a villainous character in the first season of Ryan Murphy and Steven Canals’ Pose. Fans might also recall his appearance in Kesha’s “Blow” music video, where she playfully calls him “James Van Der Douche.”

Van Der Beek was upset that Kesha was spreading false rumors about him. Their argument escalated into a laser gun fight, which ended with Van Der Beek’s head being displayed as a trophy on Kesha’s wall.

Van Der Beek never took himself too seriously – even when the rest of the world did.

A major reason James Van Der Beek excelled in his role on Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 was his ability to play a heightened, fictionalized version of himself. Many consider this to be his most memorable performance.

This portrayal of Van Der Beek was intentionally unlikeable, and that was the joke. Playing against Krysten Ritter’s character, he cleverly satirized celebrity culture, all while acknowledging his own lasting association with a single role. The performance was incredibly entertaining and played a big part in turning this low-key sitcom into a beloved classic – at least for those who watched it when it originally aired in the early 2010s.

Van Der Beek didn’t simply play along with the joke; he brought his own unique sense of humor and personality to the role, making it truly his own and going beyond expectations.

Van Der Beek once told Buzzfeed that this type of humor was actually a lifesaver for him while he was starring in Dawson’s Creek.

I’d usually only tell jokes like these to close friends. Becoming famous at 20 just doesn’t feel real. I was always the person who, if we couldn’t get a table at a restaurant, would jokingly ask my friends if the hostess knew who I thought I was.

Throughout the show, there was a recurring joke that the other actors disliked him, but in reality, that wasn’t the case at all.

Many celebrities paid tribute after his death, but Katie Holmes’s message stood out. It perfectly captured what people loved about Van Der Beek.

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Holmes beautifully described sharing imaginative space as something special. It’s about connecting with another person’s creativity and feeling safe to express yourself honestly with them.

It’s been a true joy to witness his creativity. Van Der Beek clearly possessed both skill and talent, whether he was portraying emotional scenes as Dawson or delivering comedic performances like his role in Apartment 23. However, beyond that, he brought a unique intelligence to everything he did – a quality that may not have been fully appreciated initially, but has become even more apparent since his cancer diagnosis.

While Van Der Beek was a TV pioneer, people will likely remember him most for his unwavering positivity and kindness, judging by the heartfelt tributes shared this week.

His impact will continue to be felt, both in his work and how he’s remembered, just as strongly as when he first appeared as the young, hopeful filmmaker, Dawson Leery, so many years ago.

Authors

David OpieFreelance Writer

David Opie is a freelance journalist who covers TV and film for various online publications like TopMob, Indiewire, and Empire. He’s a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ representation, often speaking on panels and promoting queer stories. Beyond that, he loves comics, animation, and horror—and he’s particularly hoping to see a Buffy the Vampire Slayerthemed challenge on RuPaul’s Drag Race*. Before his current work, he was a Deputy TV Editor at Digital Spy and holds a degree in Psychology.

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2026-02-13 21:35