James Van Der Beek: Actor, Father, and Health Advocate

James Van Der Beek is an American actor known for roles on the television shows Dawson's Creek and CSI: Cyber. He is also a husband, father of six, and an advocate for mental health awareness.

Early Life

James Van Der Beek was born on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut. He began acting at a young age, appearing in school plays and community theater productions. After graduating from high school, he attended Drew University, where he studied English.

Van Der Beek dropped out of college to pursue acting full-time. He moved to Los Angeles and soon landed his first major role as Dawson Leery on the teen drama Dawson's Creek. The show ran for six seasons and made Van Der Beek a household name.

After Dawson's Creek ended, Van Der Beek continued to work in television and film. Most recently, he has been working on CSI: Cyber and Taken in Broad Daylight.

Mental Health Advocate

Van Der Beek is passionate about mental health awareness. He has spoken out about his struggles with anxiety and depression, and he has worked to raise awareness of these issues. In 2016, he helped to launch the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Seize the Awkward campaign, which aims to encourage people to talk about mental health and suicide prevention.

Family Life

Van Der Beek has been married to Kimberly Brook since 2010. They have six children together: three boys and three girls.