James Van Der Beek rose to fame in the late ’90s as the star of Dawson’s Creek, becoming a household name and teen icon. Since then, he’s continued to work steadily in both film and television, showing his range and longevity as an actor in Hollywood.
With a career spanning decades, many fans are curious about James Van Der Beek’s net worth. Let’s take a closer look at how he’s earned his money and built a lasting presence in the entertainment industry.
What is James Van der beek’s Net Worth?
James Van der Beek is an American actor with an estimated net worth of $8 million, according to Marca. He made most of his fortune from acting, earning big paychecks from Dawson’s Creek and other television and film projects. During the peak of Dawson’s Creek, Van Der Beek was reportedly earning $100,000 per episode, making him one of the highest-paid young actors of his time.
Even though he never reached the A-list heights of some of his peers, Van Der Beek has continued working steadily in Hollywood, ensuring financial stability for himself and his family. His smart career choices, combined with real estate investments and brand collaborations, have helped him maintain his wealth over the years.
James Van Der Beek’s Early Life and Family Background
James Van Der Beek was born on March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut. His mother, Melinda, was a dancer and gymnastics teacher. His father, James William Van Der Beek, worked as a cellular phone company executive and played minor league baseball.
He has Dutch, German, English, Scots-Irish, and French roots. His last name, Van Der Beek, means “from the creek” in Dutch.
James Van Der Beek’s Rise to Fame and Career Highlights
James Van Der Beek started acting in middle school. He played Reuben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. At 15, he asked his mom to help him get an acting agent in New York City. By 16, he made his professional debut in the play Finding the Sun.
At 17, he performed in the musical Shenandoah and made his film debut in Angus 1995. He also shot a small role in I Love You, I Love You Not 1996. He went to Drew University but left when Dawson’s Creek was picked up.
In 1997, he auditioned for Dawson’s Creek and won the role of Dawson Leery. The show became very popular, running for six seasons. He also starred in Varsity Blues 1999, which was a big hit at the box office. He won an MTV Movie Award for his role.
James Van Der Beek appeared in movies like Texas Rangers, Scary Movie, and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. In 2002, he played Sean Bateman in The Rules of Attraction. Though the film didn’t do well at first, it gained a cult following later.
In 2006, he appeared in The Plague, a movie produced by Clive Barker. After Dawson’s Creek ended, he returned to theater and also appeared in Ugly Betty and Criminal Minds. In 2008, he had a recurring role on One Tree Hill.
He acted in the TV movie Taken In Broad Daylight 2009 and won Best Actor at the San Diego Film Festival for Formosa Betrayed. Van Der Beek was also in the series Mercy 2010, playing Dr. Joe Briggs.
In 2011, he appeared in Kesha’s music video for Blow. He also played a version of himself in Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, a show that ran for two seasons.
In 2015, he joined CSI: Cyber. He made a cameo in Downsizing 2017 and voiced Boris Hauntley in Vampirina.
Van Der Beek co-created and starred in What Would Diplo Do? 2017. The show received good reviews for its writing and his performance.
In 2019, he joined Pose as Matt Bromley. He also appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2019, where he finished in fifth place.
In 2025, he competed on The Masked Singer as “Griffin” but was eliminated during the “Group B Finals”.
Family members include his wife Kimberly, and his professional life has been filled with TV shows, movies, and music videos.
James Van Der Beek’s Family Life and Move to Texas
James Van Der Beek was married to actress Heather McComb from 2003 until they separated in April 2009. He filed for divorce later that year, and it was finalized in 2010.
On August 1, 2010, Van Der Beek married Kimberly Brook in a small ceremony in Tel Aviv, Israel. They have six children: four daughters and two sons. Their first daughter was born in 2010, followed by more children in 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Van Der Beek and Brook faced a tough time when they had a miscarriage in 2019. They later shared that Brook had suffered two miscarriages at 17 weeks or later. In 2021, Van Der Beek announced on Instagram the birth of their sixth child.
In 2020, they decided to leave Los Angeles and move to Texas. Van Der Beek is known for his roles in movies like Varsity Blues and his music interests, including albums like The Soundtrack of Your Life.
James Van Der Beek Reveals Colorectal Cancer Battle
On August 31, 2023, James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He didn’t tell the public about his diagnosis until November 2024.
He shared that he had been dealing with the illness privately and was taking steps to get better. He had the support of his family during this time.
James Van Der Beek’s Real Estate
In 2005, James Van Der Beek bought a house in Valley Village for $1.26 million. The house was 3,000 square feet and had four bedrooms. He rented it out for $5,000 per month. The home also had a large outdoor area with a pool. He sold it in 2014 for $1.15 million.
In 2013, he bought a bigger house in Beverly Hills for $2.5 million. The house was 3,134 square feet. When he and his family moved to Austin, Texas, in 2020, he rented the Beverly Hills house for $12,000 per month. Now, the house is worth around $4 million.
In Austin, the Van Der Beeks live on a 36-acre ranch that they rent.
FAQs
How much is James Van Der Beek worth in 2025?
As of 2025, James Van Der Beek’s estimated net worth is around $8 million, earned through his work in television, film, and brand endorsements.
What is James Van Der Beek best known for?
James Van Der Beek is best known for playing Dawson Leery in the hit teen drama Dawson’s Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003 and became a cultural phenomenon.
What are the main sources of income for James Van Der Beek?
Van Der Beek’s income comes from acting, reality TV appearances, voice work, and writing, as well as licensing and streaming royalties from Dawson’s Creek and other projects.
Is James Van Der Beek still acting in 2025?
Yes, James Van Der Beek continues to act in independent films, guest TV roles, and voiceover work, while also focusing on family life and creative ventures outside Hollywood.
How does James Van Der Beek’s net worth compare to other Dawson’s Creek cast members?
His net worth is modest compared to co-stars like Katie Holmes, but he has maintained a steady career and diversified income sources post-Dawson’s Creek.
