James Van Der Beek, who died on Wednesday at 48, seemed to understand early on that his lasting legacy in Hollywood would be the title character of “Dawson’s Creek.” His portrayal of the sensitive, lovelorn teen in the talky, groundbreaking show was instantly lovable, and it made him famous. And if the role was hard to entirely shed as his career went on, Van Der Beek generally displayed a healthy sense of humor about his fate and the industry. He also found ways to subvert his all-American persona.
Van Der Beek announced in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, but he continued working. In 2025, he appeared on “The Masked Singer,” where he discussed his “tough year.” He also filmed a role in the “Legally Blonde” prequel series “Elle,” which is set to premiere this summer.
Here is a list of where to stream some of his most memorable and surprising work.
‘Dawson’s Creek’ (1998-2003)
Van Der Beek played the high schooler Dawson Leery with wide eyes and a motor mouth. Dawson is obsessed with Steven Spielberg and probably destined to be with the girl next door, the equally verbose Joey (Katie Holmes).
With its soapy plots, quippy writing and beautiful people, “Dawson’s Creek” became a phenomenon. But while many actors seem desperate to distance themselves from their most famous roles, Van Der Beek appeared willing to embrace and even laugh at it. In 2000, he made a cameo in “Scary Movie” as Dawson, peeking his head through a window and realizing he’s on the wrong set. When a GIF of him, as Dawson, crying in a pivotal scene in the series went viral, he made a Funny or Die video advertising a website with other Vandermemes.
And though Dawson himself may have been less exciting than his more dangerous friend Pacey (Joshua Jackson), Van Der Beek’s earnest performance is the main reason the show works so well.
Stream it on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and Tubi.
‘Varsity Blues’ (1999)
Van Der Beek’s first major movie role following the debut of “Dawson’s” came in the high school football drama “Varsity Blues.” Once again, Van Der Beek is cast as a smart, noble student, this time with a Texan drawl. His character, a quarterback nicknamed Mox, dreams of academic achievement but has to step up to lead his team and face off against a toxic coach, played by Jon Voight.
Van Der Beek told The Ringer that the production initially wanted him to play Lance (Paul Walker), the first-string quarterback who gets injured. But he was determined to be Mox. “I’m the guy who sits on the sideline and reads a book,” he said. “That’s me. I knew how this guy handled everything.”
Stream it on Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
‘The Rules of Attraction’ (2002)
In Roger Avary’s adaptation of the Bret Easton Ellis novel “The Rules of Attraction,” Van Der Beek finally got a chance to swerve. In the sordid, college-set story, he plays the intense and snarling Sean Bateman, who describes himself as an “emotional vampire.”
Avary was initially skeptical of casting Van Der Beek in the part, but he quickly realized the actor could handle the often upsetting material. “I realized that beneath the innocence and clean-cut charisma, James has this capacity for iciness and a welling intensity,” Avary told The New York Times. Van Der Beek said in a 2011 interview with Vanity Fair that doing the movie “was almost like an exorcism” after playing Dawson. While it didn’t change his career trajectory as much as he might have hoped, this rarely tapped darkness was put to use again in his turn as a businessman in the first season of the FX series “Pose.”
Stream it on Amazon, Fandango at Home, Tubi and Pluto TV.
‘Don’t Trust the B—— in Apartment 23’ (2012-2014)
Van Der Beek’s propensity for self parody was well established by the time he took a regular role playing himself in the underrated ABC sitcom “Don’t Trust the B—— in Apartment 23.” He’d already showed up as himself in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” alongside another former teen star, Jason Biggs. But in “Don’t Trust the B,” he got to expand on that goofy side.
The series follows a naïve Midwestern girl (Dreama Walker) who moves in with the title character, Chloe (Krysten Ritter), a fun but mean wild child who happens to be best friends with James Van Der Beek. This James is vain but willing to get involved in Chloe’s mischief. Van Der Beek seems to have a great time mocking and twisting his persona.
Rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV and Fandango at Home.
‘What Would Diplo Do?’ (2017)
Van Der Beek played the DJ and music producer Diplo in “What Would Diplo Do?,” a short lived Viceland comedy. In an interview with The New York Times, Van Der Beek explained how he got into character: “Being around him was the biggest thing. An impression is more about energy than anything else.”
It’s all a big joke, but it succeeds because Van Der Beek takes it seriously. Whether he’s playing Dawson or Diplo, a bookish quarterback or a purveyor of memes, Van Der Beek always fully commits.
Stream it on Tubi.
The post Where to Stream James Van Der Beek’s Best Performances appeared first on New York Times.
