What is James Van Der Beek's Net Worth and Salary?
James Van Der Beek is an American actor with a net worth of $8 million. He is best known for his role as Dawson Leery in Dawson's Creek, but has a wide array of credits in both film and television.
Securing a lead role in a hit show is a game-changer in the television industry. For James Van Der Beek, landing the lead role in Dawson's Creek was a transformative experience. He had been acting since his teens, primarily in theater, and by the time he started college, he had already appeared in major regional productions. He dropped out of school to focus on his acting career, and his first major job was Dawson's Creek. The show was a massive success, launching the careers of co-stars like Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams. The series concluded after six seasons.
After Dawson's Creek, James appeared in various straight-to-DVD films and guest-starred on numerous television shows. Recently, he has taken on recurring roles in popular series such as Criminal Minds and How I Met Your Mother, as well as co-starring in the short-lived but acclaimed series Don't Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.
Early Life
James David Van Der Beek was born on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut. His father was a former professional baseball pitcher who later became a cell phone company executive, and his mother was a professional dancer and gymnastics teacher. The surname "Van Der Beek" is Dutch and roughly translates to "from the creek."
At age 15, James persuaded his mother to take him to New York City to chase his acting dreams. He quickly found success in stage productions, booking roles in off-Broadway plays such as Finding the Sun and Rain Dance.
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Career
James' career began in high school with roles in films like Angus and I Love You, I Love You Not. He also continued his stage work, appearing in productions such as Shenandoah and My Marriage to Ernest Borgnine. He briefly attended Drew University before dropping out to pursue acting full-time, leading to a role in the movie Cash Crop.
In 1997, James auditioned for Dawson's Creek and landed a major role. The show was approved and ran successfully for six seasons. His success on television catapulted him to fame, leading to roles in films like Varsity Blues and other major productions such as Texas Rangers, Scary Movie, and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. In 2002, he starred in the cult favorite The Rules of Attraction.
James continued his career with roles in straight-to-DVD films and appearances on shows like Ugly Betty, How I Met Your Mother, and Criminal Minds. In 2008, he landed a recurring role on One Tree Hill and subsequently appeared on Medium.
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James' role in the independent film Formosa Betrayed garnered further attention, and he experienced a career resurgence with a recurring role in the series Mercy. He gained further recognition by playing himself in the Netflix series Don't Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.
In 2015, he secured a recurring role as Agent Elijah Mundo in CSI: Cyber and created his own series, What Would Diplo Do?, in which he also stars. James has also lent his voice to the Disney Junior show Vampirina and competed in Dancing with the Stars.
Personal Life
In 2003, James married Heather McComb, but the marriage ended in 2009. Divorce paperwork from 2010 revealed that he was earning approximately $50,000 per month during this period, equivalent to about $600,000 per year. James later married business consultant Kimberly Brook in August 2010, with whom he has five children. While they announced a sixth pregnancy, it tragically ended in a miscarriage in 2019.
Real Estate
In 2005, James purchased a property in Valley Village for $1.26 million, which he turned into a rental property, leasing it out for $5,000 per month. The four-bedroom home, featuring an extensive outdoor area with a pool, was sold in 2014 for $1.15 million, resulting in a small loss on the initial investment.
