Tragically, beloved actor James Van Der Beek, known for playing relatable, nice guys, has passed away at the age of 48. Van Der Beek was first diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023, and has been battling it ever since. He leaves behind six children and his wife, Kimberly Brook.
Without a doubt, Van Der Beek is most associated with the titular role in the era-defining teen drama, Dawson’s Creek, which aired primarily on The WB. For younger Gen Xers and elder millennials, Dawson’s Creek was a touchstone of introspection, longing, and what it means to for young men to become adults. For that contribution to pop culture alone, Van Der Beek’s talent will be remembered forever.
Here’s a quick guide to where to stream the best James Van Der Beek TV shows and movies.
Varsity Blues (1999)
As anyone who was young-ish in the late 1990s can tell you, Dawson’s Creek changed the way we thought about teen dramas on TV. While Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson are all brilliant in the show, Van Der Beek’s Dawson was the beating heart of this show. It may have been corny, even for its time, but today, it’s hard to imagine a world in which Dawson’s Creek never existed.
All six seasons Dawson’s Creekstream on Tubi.
Castle in the Sky (2003)