James Van Der Beek

American actor (1977–2026). James David Van Der Beek was best known for his portrayal of Dawson Leery on The WB's coming-of-age drama Dawson's Creek (1998–2003). He also starred as a fictionalized version of himself in the cult ABC sitcom Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23. Van Der Beek passed away in early 2026, and tributes from his Dawson's Creek co-stars Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams helped drive over 5 million page views.