James Van Der Beek

Biography

James Van Der Beek (March 8, 1977 – February 11, 2026) was an American actor best known for his role as Dawson Leary on the television series Dawson's Creek.

Known For

Scary Movie

as Dawson Leary (uncredited)

How I Met Your Mother

as Simon Tremblay

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

as Sean Albert

Downsizing

as Anesthesiologist

Criminal Minds

as Tobias Hankel

Modern Family

as Bo Johnson

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

as James Van Der Beek (uncredited)

Labor Day

as Officer Treadwell

Dawson's Creek

as Dawson Leery

The Rules of Attraction

as Sean Bateman