James Van Der Beek revealed he made ‘almost nothing’ from star role in Dawson’s Creek

With the sad passing of actor James Van Der Beek, plenty of fans have been reflecting on his most well-known roles, especially Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek.

As Leery, an aspiring filmmaker, Van Der Beek was made one of the most recognisable faces of the late 90’s to early 2000’s television era — with shows like Dawson’s Creek being at the height of the teen TV boom.

News of the actor’s death this week following a year-and-a-half-long battle with colorectal cancer has prompted an outpouring of tributes from viewers who grew up watching the series and followed his career long after the show ended.

Many fans have been sharing memories of how Dawson’s Creek captured the awkwardness of growing up, with Van Der Beek’s performance often credited as the emotional anchor of the drama.

While the show’s legacy continues to live on through reruns and streaming, the actor previously opened up about a surprising reality behind his early success.

Early contracts often left young TV stars without long-term profits from reruns, and later streaming (Getty Images)

Despite starring in one of the most talked-about series of its time, Van Der Beek revealed, when talking with TODAY back in 2012, that he saw very little financial reward from the programme’s ongoing popularity.

Reflecting on the contract he signed at a young age, he explained: “There was no residual money…I was 20. It was a bad contract.

"I saw almost nothing from that."

The admission has resurfaced following his death, with fans shocked to learn that a leading star of such a beloved show did not benefit from the long-term success many assumed would follow.

When Dawson’s Creek first aired in 1998, streaming services and modern syndication deals were not yet part of standard television agreements, meaning younger actors often signed contracts that prioritised immediate exposure rather than future royalties.

At the time, Van Der Beek’s experience highlights how drastically the entertainment industry has changed in the years since the show wrapped in 2003.

James Van Der Beek leaves behind his wife Kimberly and their six children (Instagram/@vanderjames)

Today, residual payments and fair compensation remain major talking points for actors, particularly as older series find new audiences online.

This 14-year-old reveal feels all the more tragic, as Van Der Beek’s extended medical bills had been so high versus what money they had, his wife Kimberley - who he shared six children with - had to use a GoFundMe her friends set up to raise funds.

Thankfully, the GoFundMe has raised over $2 million. In a recent update on the fundraiser, ‘Friends of the Van Der Beek family’ wrote: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for showing up for James and his beautiful family.

"Your kindness has meant more than we can put into words. In the middle of deep grief, your support has been a light.

"It reminds us that love is real, that community is strong, and that James’s spirit continues to bring people together.”