James Van Der Beek, the American actor best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the hit TV series Dawson’s Creek, has become an unexpected internet sensation in recent years. While Van Der Beek has remained active in Hollywood, his career has been overshadowed by his newfound status as a meme.
The first James Van Der Beek meme appeared in 2010, when a still image of the actor crying from an episode of Dawson’s Creek was used as a reaction image on 4chan. From there, the meme took on a life of its own, with variations of the crying image being used to express sadness, disappointment, and even joy.
Table of Contents
The Many Faces of James Van Der Memes
Over the years, James Van Der Beek has become the face of many popular memes. Some of the most notable include:
The Crying Dawson Meme
As previously mentioned, the crying Dawson meme is perhaps the most famous of all James Van Der Beek memes. The image of Van Der Beek shedding a tear has been used in countless ways, from expressing sadness over a breakup to commiserating over a tough day at work.
The Awkward Smile Meme
Another popular James Van Der Beek meme is the awkward smile meme. This meme typically features a still image of Van Der Beek from Dawson’s Creek in which he is smiling awkwardly. The image is often used to convey discomfort or unease in a particular situation.
The Thumbs Up Meme
A more recent addition to the James Van Der Beek meme canon is the thumbs up meme. This meme features a GIF of Van Der Beek giving a thumbs up while wearing a suit and tie. The image is often used to convey approval or support for something.
James Van Der Beek Responds to His Memes
Despite the fact that he has become a meme, James Van Der Beek has taken it all in stride. In fact, he has even embraced his newfound status as a pop culture icon.
In an interview with The Guardian, Van Der Beek said, “I think it’s hilarious. I mean, what are you going to do? I’d much rather be in on the joke than not.”
Van Der Beek has also taken to social media to share his own James Van Der Beek memes. In one tweet, he shared a GIF of himself crying with the caption, “When you realize you’re a meme.”
The Future of James Van Der Memes
While it’s impossible to predict the future of internet memes, it’s safe to say that James Van Der Beek will continue to be a pop culture fixture for years to come. Whether he likes it or not, his crying face will continue to be used to express a wide range of emotions.
As one fan put it, “James Van Der Beek will always be a part of the internet. His memes will never die.”
Love him or hate him, James Van Der Beek has cemented his place in internet history as one of the most recognizable and beloved memes of all time.
