How a random EW magazine turned James Van Der Beek into a ’90s hair icon with Brad Pitt inspiration.

Ever wonder where Dawson Leery got that iconic floppy hairdo? Turns out, James Van Der Beek’s signature ’90s look wasn’t planned at all.

In a hilarious twist of fate, an Entertainment Weekly magazine featuring Brad Pitt became the unexpected style inspiration that would define a generation of teen TV.

The Haircut Scramble

The mad dash for a proper TV-ready haircut nearly derailed Van Der Beek’s debut.

During a recent ATX TV Festival panel, the actor spilled the beans about his pre-Dawson look, which he jokingly described as “pubescent Jesus.”

Creator Kevin Williamson’s assistant swooped in with a last-minute salon appointment that changed television history.

From Magazine to Cultural Phenomenon

A random EW magazine at the salon featuring Brad Pitt in “The Devil’s Own” caught their desperate eyes.

“Alright, give him that,” they decided on the spot, never guessing this split-second choice would become one of TV’s most recognizable hairstyles.

Van Der Beek laughed while recounting how this rushed decision created Dawson’s season 1 signature look.

Keeping Dad Life Separate

Despite his fondness for the show that launched his career, Van Der Beek draws a firm parenting line.

The actor, who recently opened up about his cancer battle, refuses to let his six children watch him “pretend to go through puberty” on screen.

He values the show but believes some things are better kept separate from family viewing.

A Legacy That Shaped a Generation

Dawson’s Creek didn’t just launch careers—it defined formative moments for countless viewers.

As Michelle Williams beautifully explained during the show’s 20th reunion, “When something affects you while growing up, it stays in there forever.”

The well-intentioned series touched hearts by capturing the vulnerability and confusion of teenage years with unusual eloquence.