Joshua Carter Jackson: He admits to being bad with women. His friends and family mean the world to him. He loves hockey, and is a devout follower of his hometown team, the Vancouver Canucks. He's not afraid to show his backside to just about anyone. In many ways, this former high school dropout is just a typical young man, trying to make a life for himself. He does differ from most guys in one very important way, though. He is an internationally known star, with a list of television, movie, and stage roles that would make any young actor green with envy. From his first parts in commercials at age nine, he has worked his way up the ladder of Hollywood fame, and is finally nearing the top. Josh refuses to see himself as a teen idol, though, and has managed to take his success with a grain of salt. A practical joker, this self-proclaimed class clown keeps his coworkers in stitches during down time on the set. When the cameras start rolling, though, he turns his full attention to the scene.

When the last scene of the day is finished, Josh packs up his dog Shumba, who is always faithfully by his side, and heads off in his leased Chevy Tahoe. If he happens to have a weekend off, he will likely head to the woods to go camping, or to his true home in Vancouver, Canada. In Vancouver, his birthplace, you will probably find him at his mom's house, or relaxing at Nat's New York Pizzeria, his childhood hangout. During the shooting of Dawson's Creek, the show that shot him into superstardom, he usually just goes home to his small rental house in Wilmington, NC. He prefers peace and quiet after a long day of shooting, though he and the rest of the cast sometimes head out to the Firebelly Lounge, a local bar, to have some fun. During the first year of shooting, when they knew only each other, the four original cast members became fast friends. When new actors arrived on the scene, they were quickly welcomed into the group, and they are now as close as a family.

Josh gravitated towards this family environment, particularly because of the turmoil in his own family during his formative years. When Josh was 5 years old, his father, John, abandoned his family, taking Josh's beloved dog with him. Obviously distraught by this, Josh later commented, "I was like, �Dad, are you kidding me? Not only are you breaking up my family, but you're taking my dog? You heartless bastard!" His mom, Fiona, took him and his sister, Ashleigh, from their home in California. After a whirlwind of moves, first to San Francisco, then to Ireland, and lastly Seattle, they finally returned to their original hometown of Vancouver. The divorce had recently become final, and 9 year old Josh remembers how people looked down on him because of it. "I felt ashamed when my parents divorced," he stated, noting that divorce was not as common in the mid 1980's, and was still seen as wrong by many. When asked to give his advice to kids whose parents were divorced, he commented, "You have to allow yourself to feel bad and to feel good and to feel like you've lost something. But you mustn't feel like you're cosmically f****d up. You're not to blame."

Since age nine, Josh has had no contact with his father, who lives on a ranch in Texas, and pays no child support. He has no plans to reunite with his father in the future. His mother, on the other hand, is his closest confidant. "My mother...knows me better than any other human being on the face of the planet," Josh offers. After working for the entertainment industry, in management, for several years, his mom is now his agent. When Josh first showed interest in acting, she tried to dissuade him, knowing firsthand how tough the industry is. She allowed him to go on his first audition, for a commercial, with hopes that he would be rejected, and would give up on acting. He did, however, get the part, and his acting career took off from there, though not without much heartache and disappointment. His mother and sister have never left his side, though, helping him through his many rough times, especially during his teenage years.

High school was a tough time for Josh. He did not feel like he fit in with the other students, and his teachers disliked him because he was constantly cracking jokes. "Yeah, I was just a pain in the arse, really - I was argumentative. I couldn't get into the day-to-day life. It took too much time, and there's too much to remember. I became exhausted trying to keep track of it, so I lived outside it all," Josh comments. He was also chronically truant, causing two schools in Vancouver, Kitsilano High School and Ideal High School, to expel him. "I've never been more ashamed of myself," Jackson states. In 1997, he decided to get his G.E.D., so that he could one day attend college. An avid reader of philosophy, he wants to learn as much as possible, and places little emphasis on grades.

College will have to wait, though, at least for now. Josh's character on "Dawson's Creek," Pacey Witter, is currently stealing the spotlight from the title character, Dawson (played by James Van Der Beek). Originally meant to be the sidekick with the side-stories, the character of Pacey was brought into the forefront in the 1999-2000 season. Pacey fell for Joey Potter (played by Katie Holmes), with whom he and Dawson had grown up. The gradual evolvement of their relationship, from childish bickering to a fiery couple, had "Creek" fans glued to their sets. Joey had originally been best friends with Dawson, then had become his girlfriend. When the characters broke up, many "Dawson and Joey" devotees eagerly waited a reunion. The pairing of Joey and Pacey threw them into an uproar, and many threatened to stop watching the show. There are now two very vocal, firmly-rooted camps of supporters. The "D/J-ers" pray for "soul mates" Dawson and Joey to get back together, and the "P/J-ers" are addicted to the storyline of Pacey's and Joey's love for each other as they mature into adulthood.

Rarely does a show cause such outrage among its fans, but this was not the first time the writers had been chastised for a storyline. Right out of the gate, "Dawson's" caused quite a media stir when they paired Pacey with his thirty-something teacher, Tamara Jacobs. Many watchdog groups, concerned with the morality of portraying such a relationship to an audience of wide-eyed teenagers, were up in arms. These groups exploded when 15 year old Pacey lost his virginity to Tamara, and were further outraged by a "Got Milk?" Ad featuring Josh. The quote below his picture read "I can't help it. Women of all ages look up to me. Why? I'm 6 foot 2. Thanks in part to milk. The calcium helps bones grow strong. Considering 15% of your adult height is added when you're a teenager, that's good to know. Especially if you want to impress, let's say, an older woman." Many groups called foul. They argued that the ads promoted statutory rape, and called for their immediate removal from print. The issue slowly faded away, however, when "Dawson's Creek" showed the consequences of the relationship between Pacey and Tamara. The relationship came to the attention of school officials, who conducted a full investigation. Pacey lied to the school board, claiming the relationship was all in his mind. However, Tamara was still forced out of town by the rumors, and they were torn apart. Closure came to the characters the following year, when Pacey realized that he was falling for a girl his own age. Pacey and "Andie McPhee," (played by Meredith Monroe), the new girl, hit it off immediately, as did Meredith and Josh, who share a penchant for practical jokes. Josh has even claimed that his scenes with Meredith were his favorite. Though Meredith left the show midway through the 2000-2001 season, she and Josh remain good friends. Her character's arrival shifted the focus back onto the pleasure and pain of normal teenage relationships, which many found to be more suitable for a show geared at the teenage market. Though much media attention has been given to the many risqu� topics, most fans agree that the show has always handled these situations tastefully, and showed strong consequences for all actions.

The show has had a strong four years, and the actors, including Josh, still have 2 years remaining on their contracts. The future of the show, however, has become doubtful, with the characters now leaving for separate colleges. Though it will likely run through the 2001-2002 season, many, including Josh, wonder if this season will be the end of the road for the "Creek." If the show should end, though, Josh will not have to look far for work. He has already started making his way in other venues of acting.

When he has time off from filming "Dawson's Creek," Josh is burning up the silver screen, with several new movies released in the past few years. This handsome, blue-eyed actor is stealing the hearts of females across the country with his charm and wit. Movie directors, however, have been interested in Josh since he was a baby. When he was not quite a year old, while on the set of "The Changeling" with his mother, Josh won his first part, as an extra. From then until age 11, though, Josh had only received roles in commercials and bit parts in television shows such as "MacGyver" and "Champs." He also had one starring stage role during this time, at age 10, as Charlie in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." On his 11th birthday, he earned his first minor speaking role in a movie, as "Tom" opposite Marg Helgenberger in "Crooked Hearts." Marg, then 29 years old, gave Josh his first on-screen kiss. Being a typical 11 year-old, though, Josh's favorite part of the movie was getting to say "bullsh*t."

One year later, Josh starred in the first of three "Mighty Ducks" movies. As shy Charlie Conway, he was the modest star of the team. Also starring Emilio Estevez, these movies became hits, and Josh started getting recognized by fans. The next movie he was in, "Digger," opened to less than rave reviews. Josh played the local boy who befriended the young Digger (played by Adam Hann-Byrd), and the movie centered on their friendship. Next, he played "Mark Baker" in the family movie, Andre. Mark was the boyfriend of the main character's sister.

Josh's next movie, "Magic in the Water," had some startling parallels to his own life. Josh's character, Josh Black, and Black's sister, Ashley, struggled to regain their father's attentions after a messy divorce. Jack Black, the father in the movie, started reconnecting with his children though, something Josh Jackson's father has never done. Of course, it took a confrontation with a magic, Oreo-loving, lake monster named Orky to turn Jack Black around, and such monsters are hard to find in real life.

The next part Josh received, in the modern "Romeo and Juliet" rewrite, "Ronnie and Julie," was his first somewhat adult role. In this made-for-television movie, he played "Ronnie Monroe", opposite Margot Finley's "Julie". By the movie's end, most females who watch it can't help but be smitten by Ronnie. This gained Josh some more
notoriety, and helped him win his next role, as "John Prince, Jr." in another television movie, "Robin of Locksley." In this movie, Josh helped to bring the legend of Robin Hood to life in a 20th century setting. For the first time, he played the bad guy, showing the world another
dimension in his acting.

This multitalented-talented actor's next role was in Scream 2, the sequel to the hugely popular horror movie. Though Josh had only a bit part, playing "Film Class Student #1", his performance is still widely remembered by audiences. It also caught the eye of the movie's director, Kevin Williamson, who asked Josh to audition for his new television show, "Dawson's Creek." First considered for the role of Dawson, Josh didn't quite fit the part. He then read for the part of Pacey. Williamson was planning on having Pacey be merely the unattractive sidekick to heartthrob, Dawson, and Josh was hardly unattractive. However, he soon realized that Josh was perfect for the part, and the new Pacey was born.

While filming "Dawson's Creek," Josh's movie career has blasted into warp speed. During his first year on the show, he received bit parts in "Apt Pupil," "Urban Legend," and "Cruel Intentions." His character in "Apt Pupil" was the best friend of a Nazi-obsessed high school student. This role was very small, though it did gain Josh more notoriety. In "Urban Legend," he had a larger part, until he was killed off not far into the movie. His character, "Damon", was unceremoniously hung, and in the middle of a big date no less. As "Blaine Tuttle" in Cruel Intentions, Josh had a tiny part, the last of such minuscule roles for the young actor. The following year, he starred in "The Skulls," as the main character, "Luke McNamara". Luke, a poor boy at a prestigious Ivy-League school, was talked into joining a secret, very dangerous, organization, called the Skulls. This movie was a success, and it catapulted Josh into superstardom.

No longer taking bit parts, or starring in television movies, Josh has gained starring roles in major motion pictures. After "The Skulls," he played "Beau Edson" in "Gossip." Beau was the victim of a rumor spread by three bored classmates. They claimed that Beau and his virginal girlfriend, "Naomi," had sex one night, while she was drunk. When Naomi pressed charges against Beau for date rape, his life spiraled out of control. A very aggressive, angry guy, Beau was a new type of character for Josh. He proved, once again, that he can play any role well.

He has two new movies coming out in the near future. In "Lone Star State of Mind," he has a starring role as "Earl Crest." His role in "The Safety of Objects," as the son of Glenn Close's character, is a smaller part. His character is in a coma throughout most of the movie, and Josh has joked that it was some of his best work. This sense of humor, which he carries over to many of his characters, is a large factor in his success. He has no shame, and is willing to do almost anything in the name of fun.

He is also a very open, honest young man, willing to discuss his family problems, his teenage turmoil, and most anything else. All of this changes, however, when he is asked about two things: his relationships with women, and his sister Ashleigh. He does draw the line between
his personal and public lives at these two subjects, leaving them firmly in the realm of private business. He doesn't believe that his fans need to know anything about his relationships, or even who he is currently dating. The only two people he admits to dating are his first love, an
unnamed classmate who he describes as "cute as a button," and Katie Holmes, though he claims they only dated shortly. He also keeps his relationships private out of respect for the women he dates. Growing up with only his mother and sister has taught him that women deserve respect, and has made him very comfortable around women. His reasoning for refusing to discuss Ashleigh, except for general references, is therefore quite obvious. He is a protective older brother, and he doesn't believe that Ashleigh's life should be disrupted any more than it already has been. He has too much respect and love for her to throw her into the spotlight. All that the public currently knows is that Ashleigh is around 16 years old. The way that he defends his sister's right to an uncomplicated life, as well as his right to a private life, is just another great facet of Josh's personality.

This personality has taken him to the top of the entertainment industry, along with much hard work and perseverance. His dedication to his work has turned many a director's head, and gained him immense respect with cast and crew alike. Though Josh has claimed that he often
has trouble remembering his lines, Katie Holmes and Meredith Monroe have both praised his high level of preparation, and the great example he sets for the rest of the cast. Kevin Williamson has even proclaimed Josh to be the next Tom Hanks. Rob Cohen, director of "The Skulls,"
seconded that notion. Josh, always modest, laughed at such statements. "Well, it's flattering, but I have a lot to learn from where I am now to be performing at the level Tom Hanks is performing," he countered. He realizes that he is not the best, and that he needs to be constantly bettering his acting, which can't be said about most actors today.

The level of conceit in Hollywood is threatening to flood the city, but Josh has somehow managed not to get soaked in it. He seems to truly love acting in and of itself. The fame isn't something he invited, or even really wanted. He is just a simple man, trying to overcome a lifetime of troubles. Acting seems to help him deal with his personal issues, and he has fun doing it. His coworkers enjoy his company, and he has their utmost respect. Audiences worldwide have become enamored with this unassuming young man, and his great disposition has won the hearts of many a teenage girl. With his marvelous temperament, work ethic, and talent, Joshua Jackson is on the road to a long and prosperous acting career.