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The WB had a hit with 'Dawson's Creek.' The teen drama ran from 1998 to 2003, and followed a group of precocious New England teens. Shockingly, most of the kids from the show became Hollywood heavy-hitters, but of course, there are a few cast members who didn't fare so well. Find out what Dawson and Joey are doing now, and we dare you not to hum the theme song as you click through! Ah, Paula Cole. (Warner Bros.)![The Kids of the Creek]()
Though they were supposed to be high schoolers, many of the cast were actually much older... like in their 30s! (We're looking at you, Meredith Monroe.) Who could forget the cutesy, elevated language and dating dilemmas? (Warners Bros.)![James_Van_Der_Beek_Then]()
Van Der Beek led the show as the lead character, lovestruck movie buff Dawson Leery. He got his start with a bit part in 1995 flick ‘Angus.’ During ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ the actor starred in the 1999 hit teen movie ‘Varsity Blues’ as well as 2002’s ‘The Rules of Attraction.’ James was chosen as one of ‘People’ Magazine’s Most Beautiful People and appeared in movies like ‘Texas Rangers,’ ‘Scary Movie,’ and ‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.’ (Warner Bros.)![James_Van_Der_Beek_Now_jio]()
When ‘Dawson’s Creek’ ended, Van Der Beek returned to theater, but has made TV appearances on shows like ‘Ugly Betty,’ ‘Criminal Minds,’ ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘Medium.’ The actor starred in Lifetime movie ‘Taken In Broad Daylight’ and will next appear in political thriller ‘Formosa Betrayed.’ James recently landed a recurring role on the medical drama ‘Mercy.’ Now 32, Van Der Beek recently filed for divorce from his wife of six years. (AP)![Katie_Holmes_Then]()
After appearing in her first film, ‘The Ice Storm,’ Holmes was cast as tomboy Josephine “Joey” Potter, object of Dawson’s affections. During the ‘Dawson' period, Katie starred in teen thrillers like ‘Disturbing Behavior,’ ‘Abandon,’ and ‘Teaching Mrs. Tingle.’ She also did serious films like ‘Wonder Boys’ and ‘Pieces of April.’ The actress was declared one of ‘People’ Magazine’s Most Beautiful People in 2003 and was engaged to actor Chris Klein from 2003 to 2005. (They broke up just weeks before she took up with you-know-who.) (Warner Bros.)![Katie_Holmes_Now_sdfd]()
What has Katie been up to? Two words: Tom Cruise. Holmes began her highly publicized relationship with the wacky super star in 2005, joining the Church of Scientology. The next year, she gave birth to daughter Suri and wed Cruise, 16 years her senior, in Italy. Films since she's been with Tom include ‘Thank You for Smoking,’ ‘Batman Begins,’ and ‘Mad Money.’ In 2007 the actress completed the New York Marathon. The next year, Holmes made her Broadway debut with ‘All My Sons.’ This year, expect to see Mrs. Cruise, 31, in ‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark’ and ‘The Romantics,’ which she also executive-produced. (AP)![Joshua_Jackson_Then_kjlis]()
Jackson portrayed troubled yet sensitive Pacey Witter. He came to the show a child star, having acted in ‘The Mighty Ducks’ film series. During the show’s run, Jackson appeared in ‘The Skulls,’ ‘The Safety of Objects,’ and ‘The Laramie Project,’ and had a cameo in ‘Ocean’s Eleven.’ He also guested on ‘The Simpsons,’ voicing a character in 2000. Jackson dated Katie Holmes during the early years of ‘Dawson’s Creek.’ In real life. (Warner Bros.)![Joshua_Jackson_Now_dsf]()
Jackson's films since ‘Dawson’s Creek’ include ‘Shutter’ and ‘Bobby.’ The actor made his stage debut on London's West End in 2005. Now 31, the actor is back in the big leagues, starring in the hit series ‘Fringe,’ and dating Diane Kruger. (REUTERS)![Michelle_Williams_Then]()
After dropping out of high school and emancipating herself from her parents, Williams left her home in San Diego and joined the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ cast as bad girl Jen Lindley. Before the show, Williams had appeared on series like ‘Baywatch,’ ‘Home Improvement’ and ‘Step By Step.’ During her ‘Dawson’s’ run, the actress appeared in movies like ‘Prozac Nation,’ ‘The Station Agent,’ and ‘Dick.’ (Warner Bros.)![Michelle_Williams_Now_juiouio]()
Williams really broke out on the big screen with the critically-acclaimed 2005 film ‘Brokeback Mountain.’ She earned an Oscar nomination, from the film, and also a boyfriend; Michelle met Heath Ledger on the ‘Brokeback’ set and had a baby with the late actor in 2005. (‘Dawson’s Creek’ co-star Busy Philipps is her daughter’s godmother.) Now a bona fide star, the 29 year-old has appeared in movies like ‘Wendy and Lucy’ and ‘Deception,’ and can be seen this year in ‘Blue Valentine’ and ‘Shutter Island.’ (AP)![Kerr_Smith_Then]()
Smith tackled a progressive role on the show: gay football player Jack McPhee. Though he played a 16 year-old character, Smith was actually 26! Before ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ the actor starred in ‘As the World Turns.’ (Warner Bros.)![Kerr_Smith_Now_kjoi]()
Smith was the last person to be pranked on the MTV series ‘Punk’d.’ He’s appeared on shows like ‘CSI:NY.’ Now 37, the actor currently stars in the CW series ‘Life Unexpected.’ After six years of marriage, Smith filed for divorce from his wife last year.![Meredith_Monroe_Then]()
Monroe was cast as Jack’s crazy teenage sister, Andie McPhee, and was a regular on series 2 and 3 and continued to appear until the season finale (when she was 36!). (Warner Bros.)![Meredith_Monroe_Now_kjk]()
Now 41, Monroe is a recurring guest star on ‘Criminal Minds.’ She’s also guested on shows like ‘The Mentalist’ and ‘The Deep End.’ The actress was married in 1999.![Busy Philipps Then]()
Phillips joined the cast for seasons 5 and 6 as Jen’s roommate Audrey Liddell. She first appeared onscreen in cult series ‘Freaks and Geeks.’ (Warner Bros.)![Busy_Philipps_Now_kjkl]()
Philipps currently co-stars with Courteney Cox Arquette in the hit series ‘Cougar Town.’ Other TV credits include ‘Love, Inc.’ and ‘E.R.’ The actress has appeared in movies like ‘Made of Honor’ and ‘White Chicks.’ Philipps, 30, is married and welcomed her first child in 2008. (AP)![Mary_Beth_Peil_Then]()
Peil got her showbiz start in the 1960s touring with an opera company. The Broadway star was Evelyn “Grams” Ryan, who provided guidance for granddaughter Jen. (Warner Bros.)![Mary_Beth_Peil_Now_jklk]()
Now 69, the actress currently stars in CBS series ‘The Good Wife.’ (CBS)![John_Wesley_Shipp_Then]()
Before playing Dawson’s cheesy dad Mitch Leery, Shipp was known for his soap opera roles, like that of Kelly Nelson on ‘Guiding Light.’ He also had roles on ‘Santa Barbara,’ ‘One Life to Live,’ and ‘As the World Turns.’ The actor earned two Emmys for his work on daytime dramas. He also played the title role in series ‘The Flash’ and had a role in NBC series ‘Sisters.’ Mr. Leery was killed off during season five. (Warner Bros.)![John_Wesley_Shipp_Now_kjlk]()
Now 55, Shipp has guested on shows like ‘The Closer.’ He’s reportedly filming an upcoming movie called ‘Daddy’s Girl.’![Mary-Margaret Humes Then]()
The former Miss Florida was cast as Dawson’s mom, newscaster Gail Leery. Before ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ she appeared in the Mel Brooks film ‘History of the World, Part I.’ (Warner Bros.)![Mary-Margaret Humes Now]()
Now 55, Humes is married. She’s appeared in TV movies like ‘Motocrossed’ and ‘Dying to Dance’ and has guested on TV series ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Touched By An Angel.’![Nina_Repeta_Then]()
Repeta played Joey’s older sister and guardian, Bess Potter. The North Carolina native attended college with ‘Dawson’s Creek’ creator Kevin Williamson. Her first appearance was in the 1994 film ‘Radioland Murders.’ Repeta appeared in 2002 movie ‘The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood’ (Warner Bros.)![Nina_Repeta_Now_kjo]()
Since ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ Repeta hasn’t been seen on screen much, but she did guest on ‘Palmetto Point.’ The actress, 42, is married and welcomed her first child in 2008.Then/Now: The Cast of 'Dawson's Creek'
What're those precocious kids from the Creek up to now?
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- Then/Now: The Cast of 'Dawson's Creek'
