He won a MTV video award for Varsity Blues (1999), and another for the best cameo with Scary Movie (2000).

His favourite city is New York

Brother-in-law of Jennifer McComb.

His favourite football team is Green Bay Packers.

James enjoys watching football on weekends and still plays football with his friends whenever he has the time.

There was a third story in Storytelling (2001) with Van Der Beek as a college student realizing his sexuality, which was subsequently cut out of the film.

Was roommates with Joshua Jackson during the first season of "Dawson's Creek" (1998).

His favourite group is the Dave Matthews Band and his favourite ice-cream is Vanilla.

Chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. [1998]

He started acting because a concussion stopped him from playing football.

Is a Dutch-American

His favourite movie is The Shawshank Redemption (1994).

Lives in New York City for most of the summer - when his show is on hiatus or when he is not shooting a film.

Has a brother Jared (1979) and a sister Julianne (1981)

He is the oldest of three children. His father is a cellular phone salesman and his mother runs a gymnastics studio.

Was identified as dyslexic in kindergarden and learned to read in a special class. Later became an honors student.

Was an English major at Drew University before leaving school to do "Dawson's Creek" (1998).

The necklace that he wore on "Dawson's Creek" (1998) was made by his mother.

Met his wife after her sister, Jennifer McComb, played a small guest-role in an episode of "Dawson's Creek." Jennifer kept in touch with the "Dawson's" crew and introduced James and Heather.

Oddly, the literal translation of his Dutch surname means 'from the creek'.

Shares a birthday with Freddie Prinze Jr. and Camryn Manheim.

His hobbies are: playing the guitar, sleeping, staying with his friends and playing sports.