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TelevisionJames Van Der Beek Celebrates 25 Years of ‘Dawson’ Series
The actor shares how his life has changed in a post published on January 20.
James Van Der Beek and 2020.
imago images/MediaPunch
“Twenty-five years ago today…my life changed. Not gradually, not day by day… instantly,” James Van Der Beek wrote on Instagram on January 20. It was on that day, in 1998, that the series that revealed him, “Dawson” (“Dawson’s Creek”) began broadcasting on The WB network in the United States. The story of Dawson Leary, a 15-year-old teenager, and his friends from Capeside also launched the careers of Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams or Joshua Jackson.
James Van Der Beek, who is now 45 and father of six children, recalled how he landed the lead role of “Dawson.” “It was the culmination of 5 years of auditions, hundreds of hours on stage, thousands of hours of travelling, preparing, dreaming, hoping, hearing ‘no’ and inventing reasons to continue. But the change happened overnight,” he says.
“The truth is, I didn’t know what to do with fame for a long time”
“There was a life before becoming famous… and a life after. Both have their advantages, both have their obstacles”, continues James Van Der Beek who remembers not having boasted to his family of having won what he had yet so expected. “The long-buried traumas didn’t go away – they now lived closer to the surface,” he says.
If the actor recognizes that he had some “nice” moments, he admits: “The truth is that I did not know what to do with fame for a long time … because it took me time. time to realize it wasn’t really about me.” But things have changed. While he felt like it created a strange separation with people, now “it connects me in a way that I really appreciate,” he wrote again.
James Van Der Beek concludes his post by saying “thank you to everyone I met following this strange and wild rocket ride, and to my traveling companions who were attached to my side… it’s good of you to know. I’m glad to see you all so well. Happy birthday, buddies.”
Katie Holmes tribute
Katie Holmes, who played Joey, also celebrated “Dawson’s” birthday with a photo of the cast and creative team and a message: “Happy 25th!!!!! I loved growing up with everyone and living very beautiful moments! Thank you to all Dawson’s Creek fans.” The snap was originally posted by Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mother, Gail.
Kerr Smith (Jack) shared in a post: “So many great memories.”
