James Van Der Beek (born James David Van Der Beek Jr. on March 8, 1977 in Cheshire, Connecticut) is an actor who is well-known for his lead role on the 1998-2003 WB network series Dawson's Creek. He guest-starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in the episode "Father Dearest" as Sean Albert, and on Law & Order: Criminal Intent in the episode "To the Boy in the Blue Knit Cap" as Rex Tamlyn.