James Van Der Beek in a red suit and a bowtie at the 71st Emmy Awards. He's against a yellow background.

Notable People

Inside James Van Der Beek’s Most Iconic Roles and the Project He Finished Last

James Van Der Beek died in February 2026, and we're looking back at his most memorable film and TV roles. Here's a trip down memory lane -- plus, his final role.

by Lauren Weiler

Published on February 11, 2026

3 min read

James Van Der Beek’s name became synonymous with late‑90s and early‑2000s television. And he left an indelible mark on pop culture with his breakout role as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek. Over nearly three decades, Van Der Beek expanded his range beyond his teen idol beginnings with memorable turns in films. And he had self‑aware performances in comedies and dramas across television. On Feb. 11, 2026, at the age of 48, Van Der Beek died following a battle with colorectal cancer. Now, we’re taking a look at his most iconic roles — and the project he finished last.

James Van Der Beek is well-known for his role as Dawson Leery in ‘Dawson’s Creek’

James Van Der Beek’s breakthrough came in 1998 as Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek. The coming‑of‑age drama created by Kevin Williamson became one of The WB’s defining series of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The show followed a group of teenagers in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts. Together, they navigated the trials of adolescence with emotional honesty and articulate dialogue that was rare to see on television at the time.

Van Der Beek’s portrayal of Dawson, a sensitive, aspiring filmmaker with big dreams, resonated deeply with audiences. And he quickly became a household name and a teen idol. He played the role until 2003.

Fans adored Van Der Beek’s portrayal of Dawson for his vulnerability and earnestness. The series didn’t shy away from challenging subjects, either. Dawson’s Creek covered personal loss and relationship issues. And Dawson’s introspective voice often served as the emotional center of those stories. The show helped launch the careers of its ensemble cast.

He played Jonathan ‘Mox’ Moxon on ‘Varsity Blues’ in 1999

James Van Der Beek expanded his early career beyond television with a prominent film role in the 1999 coming‑of‑age sports drama Varsity Blues. He played Jonathan “Mox” Moxon, an academically gifted backup quarterback thrust into the spotlight of Texas high school football culture. In the film, Mox finds himself balancing the expectations of a football‑obsessed community with his own aspirations of attending an Ivy League university.

Varsity Blues became a cultural touchstone for its blend of sports drama and adolescent angst. Mox struggled against a domineering coach and small‑town expectations. And this offered audiences a window into a world where athletic success was often valued above personal goals.

The famous actor took on a darker role in ‘The Rules of Attraction’

In the 2002 black comedy‑drama The Rules of Attraction, James Van Der Beek turned away from his teen heartthrob image by portraying Sean Bateman. Sean was a morally ambiguous college student who dealt drugs and became entangled in a hedonistic lifestyle. The film positions Sean as the younger brother of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho.

The Rules of Attraction was only a modest box‑office performer upon release. However, it later developed a cult following for its raw, satirical take on college life. Fans also loved it for Van Der Beek’s willingness to embrace a darker, edgier role that contrasted sharply with his earlier sensitive characters.

James Van Der Beek parodied himself in ‘Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23’ in 2012

In the ABC sitcom Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, James Van Der Beek took a self‑aware turn by playing a fictionalized, exaggerated version of himself. He leaned into a caricature of a Hollywood actor whose fame from Dawson’s Creek had waned, using it shamelessly to pick up women and promote fake business ventures.

This portrayal allowed Van Der Beek to subvert his earlier teen‑idol image and embrace comedy. His role poked fun at celebrity culture while showcasing sharp comic timing and a willingness to parody himself.

He played an FBI Special Agent in ‘CSI: Cyber’ from 2015 to 2016

In CSI: Cyber, James Van Der Beek took on a very different kind of television role as FBI Special Agent Elijah Mundo. Van Der Beek’s Mundo was positioned as a former military man with battlefield forensics expertise who could bridge the gap between traditional law enforcement and investigations into hacking and cyberterrorism. While the show itself received mixed critical responses and lasted two seasons, his casting demonstrated his willingness to expand into procedural dramas.

James Van Der Beek was cast in the ‘Legally Blonde’ prequel, ‘Elle,’ which will release in 2026

In what would become one of his final screen appearances, James Van Der Beek was cast in the Legally Blonde prequel series Elle. The film will explore the teenage years of the beloved Elle Woods character, originally made famous in the Legally Blonde films.

In Elle, Van Der Beek takes on the role of Dean Wilson, the school district superintendent and a mayoral candidate.

“So, this is exciting … I’m going back to work for a bit,” the actor posted to Instagram on May 15, 2025. “Super excited to join this awesome cast in such a fun project. Almost as excited as my wife and girls are that I’m doing this.”

The series is scheduled for a summer 2026 premiere on Prime Video.