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Tag: james-van-der-beek

  • ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Actor James Van Der Beek Dead at 48

    James Van Der Beek in 'Dawson's Creek'. Photo: Sony Pictures Television.
    James Van Der Beek in ‘Dawson’s Creek’. Photo: Sony Pictures Television.

    Preview:

    • James Van Der Beek has died at the age of 48.
    • He was best known for his breakout role as Dawson Leery on the hit teen drama ‘Dawson’s Creek.’
    • In later years, he became known for his self-aware comedic roles and candid reflections on fame, family, and faith.

    James Van Der Beek, the actor who rose to fame as earnest aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery on the late-1990s teen drama ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ has died at the age of 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer.

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    Van Der Beek’s family put out a statement:

    “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”

    Catherine O’Hara, Beloved Comedy Icon from ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘Home Alone,’ Dies at 71

    James Van Der Beek: Early Life and Career

    (L to R) Kerr Smith, Katie Holmes, James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams in 'Dawson's Creek'. Photo: Sony Pictures Television.
    (L to R) Kerr Smith, Katie Holmes, James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams in ‘Dawson’s Creek’. Photo: Sony Pictures Television.

    Born March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, James David Van Der Beek discovered acting at a young age and pursued it with determination. After performing in regional theater and landing small television roles, he moved to New York to study and audition, eventually making his film debut in the 1995 drama ‘Angus.’

    His big break came in 1998 when he was cast as Dawson Leery on The WB’s ‘Dawson’s Creek.’ The series, which ran for six seasons, became a cultural touchstone of its era, and Van Der Beek’s portrayal of the sensitive, Spielberg-obsessed teen made him a household name almost overnight.

    James Van Der Beek: in Film and Television

    (L to R) James Van Der Beek and Jon Voight in 'Varsity Blues.' Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) James Van Der Beek and Jon Voight in ‘Varsity Blues.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    While starring on ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ Van Der Beek successfully transitioned to the big screen, most notably in the football drama ‘Varsity Blues’ (1999), where his performance — and a now-iconic line reading — cemented his place in late-’90s pop culture.

    He went on to appear in films including ‘The Rules of Attraction’ (2002), showcasing a darker edge.

    On later television series, he demonstrated a willingness to poke fun at his teen idol image with a recurring role as an exaggerated version of himself on the ABC comedy ‘Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23,’ earning praise for his comedic timing and self-awareness.

    Van Der Beek later competed on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ appeared in series such as ‘CSI: Cyber’ and ‘Pose,’ and continued to work steadily in both independent films and television projects.

    James Van Der Beek: Offscreen

    James Van Der Beek in 'Mrs. Miracle'. Photo: Hallmark Television.
    James Van Der Beek in ‘Mrs. Miracle’. Photo: Hallmark Television.

    Off camera, Van Der Beek was known as a devoted husband and father. He frequently shared glimpses of family life and spoke candidly about personal growth, spirituality, and the lessons he learned from both success and adversity.

    After publicly revealing his colorectal cancer diagnosis, he used his platform to raise awareness and encourage others to prioritize their health, approaching the subject with honesty and vulnerability. Friends and colleagues often described him as gracious, introspective, and deeply committed to those he loved.

    James Van Der Beek in 'Mrs. Miracle'. Photo: Hallmark Television.
    James Van Der Beek in ‘Mrs. Miracle’. Photo: Hallmark Television.

    Selected Movies & TV Shows Featuring James Van Der Beek:

    Buy James Van Der Beek Movies and TV on Amazon

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  • ‘Pose’ Renewed For Season 2 on FX

    ‘Pose’ Renewed For Season 2 on FX

    If you were worried that “Pose” (which is about to air its Season 1 finale) would end on a cliff-hanger, it’s all good: The Ryan Murphy-produced series was just renewed for a second season.

    “Ryan Murphy has once again revolutionized television with ‘Pose,’ an incredibly engaging story of creativity, courage, compassion, love and family at a pivotal time in our culture,” said FX chief John Landgraf about the series. It’s set in the NYC trans community in the ’80s and stars the most trans actors in TV history.

    Murphy, who has also brought us TV hits “Glee,” “American Horror Story,” and  most recently the Emmy-nominated “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” calls the series “the highlight of my career.”

    Murphy co-created the show with Brad Falchuk and Steven Canals. Canals and Silas Howard serve as co-executive producers, with Janet Mock, Our Lady J, and Erica Kay as producers.

    Landgraf added, “As television critics have universally acknowledged, there is simply nothing like ‘Pose’ on TV, so effortlessly excelling on every creative level and earning a place in television history for its infectiously inclusive spirit.” He said he was happy that the ” the incredible cast and crew to [will be able to] continue this groundbreaking journey that is ‘Pose.’”

    The series stars include Mj Rodriguez as Blanca, Dominique Jackson as Mother of the rival House of Abundance, and Billy Porter as MC Pray Tell. Murphy regular Evan Peters stars as rising Trump employee Stan who falls for the trans Angel (Indya Moore). Kate Mara costars as Stan’s wife, Patty,  and James Van Der Beek as his unscrupulous boss.

    [Via Deadline]

     

  • Check Out the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Cast’s Beautiful 20th Anniversary Reunion Photos

    We didn’t wanna wait, for our liiiiiives to be over to see the “Dawson’s Creek” cast together again. Thankfully, Entertainment Weekly gathered the main cast members for a special magazine spread in honor of the 1998-2003 show’s 20th anniversary.

    (The official 20th anniversary was in January, and you may recall that James Van Der Beek honored the milestone on social media.)

    Katie Holmes (Joey Potter), James Van Der Beek (Dawson Leery), Joshua Jackson (Pacey Witter), Michelle Williams (Jen Lindley), Busy Phillips (Audrey Liddell), Kerr Smith (Jack McPhee), Meredith Monroe (Andie McPhee), and Mary Beth Peil (Evelyn “Grams” Ryan) talked to EW for the cover story and reunion video.

    Of course, since reboots and revivals are all the rage these days, EW had to ask if the stars — at least those whose characters are still alive, sorry Jen — would be willing to return for more. Sounds like they’re not really into the idea:

    Katie Holmes: “What I love about this show is that it existed at a time pre-social media, pre-internet, and it was nostalgic when we were shooting it. So I really like it where it is, to be honest.”

    Show creator Kevin Williamson: “Dawson’s Creek was me expressing myself at that point in time. And here I am, at another age, at another point in time. I don’t know what I could emotionally bring to the table. I can’t wait for someone else to do it. I don’t think it’s going to be me. But I’ll be happy to watch it.”

    Fair enough. Do you think someone else should spearhead a “Dawson’s Creek” reboot, or leave it alone?

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  • James Van Der Beek: ‘I’ve Had My Ass Grabbed by Older, Powerful Men’

    2017 iHeartRadio Music Festival - Night 1 - Backstage“Dawson’s Creek” alum James Van Der Beek is the latest star to reveal personal stories of sexual harassment.

    Van Der Beek has been tweeting support of the many women speaking out against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. He later added some of his own experiences with powerful men abusing their protected positions of authority:

    The past several days have seen wave after wave of Hollywood star sharing similar stories — including Gwyenth Paltrow and Cara Delevingne against Weinstein, and actor/former football player Terry Crews against an unnamed Hollywood exec. Their stories have prompted fans to also open up with their own stories of harassment/abuse from the people in their own lives and past workplaces.

    Hopefully this is all leading to a massive culture change in Hollywood, Washington, and beyond. Most of us were taught these lessons as kids, but maybe they bear repeating — keep your hands to yourself, and treat others with respect.

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  • James Van Der Beek Laughs Through ‘Dawson’s Creek’-Centric Interview

    Dawson’s Creek.”

    On yesterday’s show, co-hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby of ITV’s “This Morning” began the segment with a clip from the ’90s series, and a rundown of what the other stars have been up to.

    Van Der Beek was a bit thrown by the retro intro. The now-40-year old — who was there to talk about his new British sitcom, “Carters Get Rich” — noted, “I have been on television the last 20 years, just wanted to let you know.”

    When asked if he thought he’d still be discussing the show so many years later, he laughed. “No. I could not have imagined I’d be sitting across from a picture from 20 years ago,” he said, pointing to the photo of himself and the rest of the “Creek” crew on the screen behind him.

    The hosts continued to dwell on all things “Dawson,” and Van Der Beek, who admitted he never watched his own show, finally gave in, saying he’s very grateful for the series that launched his career: “It changed my life. It was a huge opportunity,” he said. “I learned how to be on camera. I learned how to deal with celebrity. I learned how to deal with all kinds of things. It was a huge, huge break.”

    He then invited them to ask him any lingering questions about the WB show, but they agreed to focus on his new project instead.

    The duo promised that next time he’s on, they’ll drop all the “Dawson’s Creek” stuff, but as they were such big fans, they couldn’t resist for his very first visit. Willoughby said, “We’re all very excited about it. ‘Dawson’s Creek’ was a part of my childhood.”

    Among the TV shows the actor has starred on since “Dawson’s Creek”: “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23,” and “CSI: Cyber.”

    [Via Huffington Post]

  • Famous TV Shows That Launched Stars’ Careers

    Freaks and GeeksEvery famous actor has one performance that served as a breakout role, and for many, that role was in a television series. Inviting the actors into your home on a daily or weekly basis is one of the most magical things about television. So you feel invested in those moments you see a star being born. From low-rated shows that only ran a season to ratings behemoths that remained popular for more than a decade, these series launched the careers of some beloved stars.

    ‘Friends’ (1994 – 2004)

    It’s easy to forget that the cast of “Friends” were all unknowns at the start. Family Ties,” and a handful of movie roles. Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer were all working actors but none had yet found a project that took off. Everything changed when the six of them sat on that orange velvet couch at Central Perk, drinking oversized lattes. Despite some spectacularly awful 1990s fashion and those distinctive haircuts, “Friends” doesn’t feel dated and remains one of the classic sitcoms of all time. The cast has not stopped working since the show went off the air, proving they will always be there for us.

    ‘My So-Called Life’ (1994 – 1995)

    Critically beloved and tragically canceled after one season, “My So-Called Life” launched the careers of Homeland,” while Leto, among other achievements, won every Supporting Acting award possible for his work in “Dallas Buyers Club.”

    ‘Freaks and Geeks’ (1999 – 2000)

    Cult classic “Freaks and Geeks” was a veritable talent farm, launching the careers of Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jason Segel, and Busy Phillips. It was also created by Paul Feig (“Bridesmaids“) and executive produced by a little-known guy named Judd Apatow. So how exactly did this dramedy last for a mere 15 episodes on NBC? That’s one of television’s most enduring mysteries.

    ‘ER’ (1994 – 2009)

    Best known for stints on “The Facts of Life” and “Roseanne,” ER.” It’s a perfect example of the right actor being cast in the right role at the right time. Clooney brought an immense amount of charm to the role, and Doug became the quintessential bad boy with a heart of gold. His chemistry with co-star Julianna Margulies was electric, making Doug and Carol Hathaway one of the iconic TV couples of the ’90s. And don’t forget — he brought the Caesar haircut back. Clooney left “ER” in 1999 to pursue movies, but returned as a guest star several times, proving that he never forgot where he came from.

    Lest you think Clooney and Margulies were the only stars to emerge from County General, don’t forget that Noah Wyle, Ming-Na, Alex Kingston, and Maura Tierney all had breakout roles on “ER” as well, making it a destination show for dramatic talent in the ’90s.

    ‘Dawson’s Creek’ (1998 – 2003)

    Dawson’s Creek.” Holmes even famously delayed her audition so she could star as Lola in her high school’s production of “Damn Yankees.” While the entire cast delivers fantastic performances, the one to watch is future three-time Oscar nominee Williams. Her portrayal of the troubled Jen Lindley displays a maturity well beyond her 15 years.

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  • CBS Cancels ‘CSI: Cyber,’ Ending the 16-Year ‘CSI’ Franchise Run

    csi, csi: cyber, cyber, canceled, cbs, franchiseIt’s officially the end of an era at CBS, with the network canceling its latest — and last remaining — “CSI” property, “CSI: Cyber,” bringing the once-revered franchise to an end.

    “CSI: Cyber” ran for two abbreviated season on CBS, though it was never able to achieve the heights of its parent series, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” which exploded onto the scene in 2000 and was once the most-watched program on television, peaking at more than 26 million viewers in its heyday. In contrast, “Cyber” — the third spinoff of the franchise, following “CSI: Miami” and “CSI: New York” — scored only a fraction of those numbers throughout its short run, pulling in 10.46 million sets of eyeballs at the beginning of its first season, and starting its second with just 6.79 million viewers.

    According to Deadline, “Cyber” was hurt by its season two Sunday night timeslot, which frequently clashed with NFL games, though it performed better this spring when it was moved back to its original spot on Wednesdays. But even though it was produced in-house by CBS Television Studios, and made the network money thanks to international sales, it ultimately underperformed for The Eye (which is used to big numbers thanks to successful comedies like “The Big Bang Theory”), and was axed as a result.

    The original “CSI” ended its 15-season run in 2015. Star Ted Danson, who joined the veteran drama in its later years, moved over to “Cyber” for season two, though he had already planned on leaving the series following its sophomore outing, and will star in the NBC comedy pilot “The Good Place.”

    “Cyber,” which first premiered in the 2015 midseason, also starred then-newly-minted Oscar winner Patricia Arquette and James Van Der Beek. Its season (and series) finale aired back in March.

    [via: Deadline]

    Photo credit: Randee St. Nicholas/CBS

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  • Katie Holmes Gets Help to Reveal the Best Kisser on ‘Dawson’s Creek’

    Someone needs to cast “The Late Late Show.” When Katie Holmes tried to dodge a question on “Dawson’s Creek” kissers, the “Deadpool” star stepped in to save her by offering his own answer.

    First, James Corden asked Katie about her first on-screen kiss. Here’s her answer:

    “I was 18 and it was on ‘Dawson’s Creek.’ It was a guest star. It’s so awkward, because with a first kiss in life, if it doesn’t go well, you’re kind of like ‘Oh, I’ve got to go home’ … and you don’t have to deal with that person. But on screen, you’re probably going to have lunch, you probably have to work with them tomorrow. So it’s a little bit awkward.”

    However, she said that particular kiss was good. James then wanted to know the BEST kisser on “Dawson’s Creek” — James Van Der Beek‘s Dawson or Joshua Jackson‘s Pacey.

    Katie said she couldn’t answer Pacey vs. Dawson, and wanted to know what James thought. James said it would be The Beek, “Because I would get straight up in his grill.” On that note, Ryan Reynolds jumped in to say, “I went to high school with Josh, and I can tell you right now, he’s a terrific kisser.” James asked Katie if that’s true. She laughed and said, “If he [Ryan] says so, you know…”

    James accepted that answer as canon, so it’s official: Pacey > Dawson. And since Katie did date Josh in real life, it’s probably what she wanted to say.


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  • ’90s Heartthrobs: Where Are They Now?

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    By Rebecca Silverstein, Wonderwall

    Admit it — you had pictures of Justin Timberlake in your locker and “Mrs. Leonardo DiCaprio” doodled in your binder in the ’90s. And while we know what’s happened to JT and Leo over the past two decades, where are those other studs we so cutely crushed on?

    Two mega-popular heartthrobs of the decade, James Van Der Beek and Freddie Prinze Jr., have birthdays on March 8th. Let’s celebrate them by taking a look at where some of our favorite hotties of the ’90s are now.Additional contributions by Moviefone editor Alana Altmann

  • 6 ‘CSI’ Spinoffs We Wish Existed

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    “CSI: Cyber” premieres tonight on CBS, starring Academy Award winner Patricia Arquette as a CyberPsycholigist solving internet crimes for the FBI. We’ve all seen our share of procedural spinoffs over the years — new ones in different cities with previously unheard-of specific department focuses pop up every TV season. Honestly, we thought this installment was called “CSI: Cyborg” when we first read it incorrectly (wishful thinking), which appealed to us just a tad more than the lawless goings-on of the deep, dark web. And that got us thinking about alternate “CSI” spinoffs we wish existed. Check out what we came up with.