Joshua Jackson, Scott Speedman and More Iconic Actors From WB Shows: Where Are They Now?

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Joshua Jackson, Scott Speedman and More Iconic Actors From WB Shows: Where Are They Now?

The WB was a teenager’s dream network before it became The CW in 2006, giving fans a ton of new crushes from all of its hit series. From Summerland and Supernatural to What I Like About You and Charmed, The WB was all about bringing the hottest actors to the forefront, and fans won’t soon forget the men who graced their TV screens on the channel. Joshua Jackson, who played Pacey Witter on Dawson’s Creek for six seasons, knows fans are still interested in what happened to his character years after the show ended. Milo Ventimiglia, meanwhile, was part of a WB love triangle when he portrayed Jess Mariano on Gilmore Girls in the early 2000s. Barry Watson, who played Matt Camden on 7th Heaven, had women swooning over him from afar and on set. Scroll down for a trip down memory lane — and to see where the most memorable WB men are now:

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Joshua Jackson, Scott Speedman and More Iconic Actors From WB Shows: Where Are They Now?

The WB was a teenager’s dream network before it became The CW in 2006, giving fans a ton of new crushes from all of its hit series. From Summerland and Supernatural to What I Like About You and Charmed, The WB was all about bringing the hottest actors to the forefront, and fans won’t soon forget the men who graced their TV screens on the channel. Joshua Jackson, who played Pacey Witter on Dawson’s Creek for six seasons, knows fans are still interested in what happened to his character years after the show ended. Milo Ventimiglia, meanwhile, was part of a WB love triangle when he portrayed Jess Mariano on Gilmore Girls in the early 2000s. Barry Watson, who played Matt Camden on 7th Heaven, had women swooning over him from afar and on set. Scroll down for a trip down memory lane — and to see where the most memorable WB men are now:

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Joshua Jackson

The Mighty Ducks star Joshua Jackson propelled to super stardom as Pacey Witter on Dawson’s Creek. The WB series ran from 1998 to 2003, but fans are still talking about whether Pacey should’ve ended up with Joey (Holmes) or if Dawson (James Van Der Beek) was her perfect mate. During the show’s run, he also appeared in Cruel Intentions, The Skulls and Lone Star State of Mind. The Canada native has since starred on Fringe, The Affair, Little Fires Everywhere and Dr. Death. Jackson made his stage debut in 2016’s Smart People and later appeared in A Life in the Theatre and Children of a Lesser God.

The actor dated Diane Kruger for 10 years from 2006 to 2016. He began dating Jodie Turner-Smith in 2018. Us confirmed in December 2019 that the pair secretly tied the knot earlier that year. They welcomed their first child, a daughter, in April 2020.

Turner-Smith filed for divorce in October 2023 after four years of marriage. 

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James Van Der Beek

James Van Der Beek portrayed Dawson’s Creek’s lead character, Dawson Leery, from 1998 to 2003. Van Der Beek went on to star on Mercy, Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23, Friends With Better Lives, CSI: Cyber, What Would Diplo Do? (which he also wrote and produced) and Pose. He’s started playing Boris on Vampirina in 2017. Van Der Beek competed on Dancing With the Stars in 2019, coming in fifth place.

The Varsity Blues star was married to Heather McComb from 2003 to 2009. He moved on with Kimberly Van Der Beek, whom he wed in 2010. The pair welcomed five children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, between 2010 and 2018. The couple secretly welcomed their sixth child, son Jeremiah, in 2021.

James revealed in 2024 that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. His family announced his death at the age of 48 two years later.

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Scott Speedman

Scott Speedman played Ben Covington, the boy Felicity (Keri Russell) followed to college, on Felicity from 1998 to 2002. The actor went on to star in the Underworld franchise as Michael and appeared in Good Neighbours, Citizen Gangster, The Vow, The Monster, Run This Town and Best Sellers. His TV hits include Last Resort, Animal Kingdom, You and Grey’s Anatomy. Speedman will play RJ Decker on ABC’s new crime show, RJ Decker, premiering in March 2026.

The London-born actor has been dating Lindsay Rae Hoffman since 2017. They welcomed their first child, daughter Pfeiffer Lucia, in October 2021.

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Scott Foley

Kansas native Scott Foley played Felicity’s (Keri Russell) other love interest, the good guy Noel Crane, on the series of the same name from 1998 to 2002. Foley has since continued to find success on TV with roles on A.U.S.A., Scrubs, The Unit, Grey’s Anatomy, True Blood, The Goodwin Games, Scandal and Whiskey Cavalier. He’s been playing Nick Blackburn on The Big Leap since 2021. Foley is also an accomplished director and producer, working on a few episodes of Scandal and producing Whiskey Cavalier and The Big Leap.

Foley was married to Jennifer Garner, whom he met when she guest-starred on Felicity, from 2000 to 2003. He wed Marika Dominczyk in 2007 and they share three children: Malina, Keller and Konrad.

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Tom Welling

Tom Welling landed the role of Clark Kent on Smallville in 2001, one year after making his acting debut in the short film Angela Via: Picture Perfect. He portrayed the hero-in-training on the series, which ran on both The WB and later The CW, from 2001 to 2011. Welling served as an executive producer on the hit show from 2009 to 2011. The New York native appeared in Parkland, Draft Day and The Choice before returning to TV in 2017 as Marcus Pierce on Lucifer. He then played Vincent Corbo on Professionals in 2020, which he also executive produced.

The Cheaper by the Dozen actor was married to Jamie White from 2002 to 2015. He found love again with Jessica Rose Lee. The couple welcomed their first child, son Thomson Wylde, in January 2019, tying the knot in November of that year. They later welcomed son Rocklin Von in June 2021.

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Chad Michael Murray

Chad Michael Murray portrayed high school basketball player Lucas Scott on One Tree Hill from 2003 to 2009. He returned for one episode in 2012 following his initial exit. The actor, who appeared on The WB’s Gilmore Girls as Tristan Dugray and Dawson’s Creek as Charlie Todd, was a fixture on the network for years. He later starred on Chosen, Texas Rising, Agent Carter, Sun Records, Star and Riverdale. The New York native’s film hits include Write Before Christmas, Survive the Night, Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman and Angel Falls Christmas. He has also worked as producer.

The Cinderella Story star was briefly married to OTH costar Sophia Bush from 2005 to 2006. He wed his Chosen costar Sarah Roemer in 2015. They share three children, a son and two daughters, whom they welcomed in 2015, 2017 and 2023, respectively.

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James Lafferty

James Lafferty gained fame as Lucas’ half-brother, Nathan Scott, on One Tree Hill. He appeared on the series, which ran on both The WB and The CW, from 2003 to 2012. The California native has since starred on Crisis, Underground, The Haunting of Hill House, The Right Stuff and Everyone Is Doing Great. Lafferty began his directing career with OTH and later worked on The Royals and Hulu’s Everyone Is Doing Great, which he cowrote with former OTH costar Stephen Colletti. The actors are also both executive producers on the project.

The Small Town Crime actor proposed to actress Alexandra Park, whom he met in 2015 while directing The Royals, in September 2020. The real-life partners play a married couple on Everyone Is Doing Great. Us exclusively revealed in May 2022 that the duo exchanged vows in Hawaii with former costars from both OTH and The Royals in attendance.

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Jensen Ackles

Texas native Jensen Ackles appeared on two WB shows, Dawson’s Creek as C.J. and Smallville as Jason Teague, before landing the role of Dean Winchester on Supernatural in 2005. He played the dreamy protector and older brother of Sam (Jared Padalecki) until the series’ 2020 finale. During his time on the show, he also starred in My Bloody Valentine and Buddy Games and voiced Batman/Bruce Wayne in the video Batman: The Long Halloween. Ackles played Soldier Boy in Amazon Prime’s The Boys series and is a recurring character on Tracker. Outside of acting, the star is a co-owner of Family Business Beer Company in Dripping Springs, Texas.

Ackles married One Tree Hill alum Danneel Harris in May 2010. They share three children — daughter Justice and twins Arrow and Zeppelin — and work together with her family at the brewery.

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Jared Padalecki

Jared Padalecki broke into Hollywood as Rory Gilmore’s (Alexis Bledel) first love, Dean Forester, on Gilmore Girls. He continued his success — and dreamboat status — with the network by playing Sam Winchester on Supernatural from 2005 to 2020. The Texas native appeared in House of Wax, Cry Wolf and Friday the 13th while filming the hit series. He has been playing Cordell Walker on Walker since 2021. He also serves as an executive producer on the project. Padalecki opened the ‘90s-themed bar Stereotype in Austin, Texas, in 2018.

The People’s Choice Award winner has been married to actress Genevieve Cortese since 2010. The couple, who reside in Texas, share three children, sons Thomas and Austin and daughter Odette.

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Ryan Kwanten

Ryan Kwanten made a splash on American TV with his role as Jay Robertson on Summerland. Kwanten played the handsome surfer from 2004 to 2005. The Australia native then appeared in Dead Silence, Not Suitable for Children, Flight 7500, Reach Me, The Hurricane Heist and Kill Chain. Kwanten also starred on TV’s True Blood (as Jason Stackhouse), Apollo Gauntlet, The Oath, Sacred Lies and Them.

The Replica Luxury Handbag and Away alum has been dating Ashley Sisino since 2014.

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Jesse McCartney

Jesse McCartney portrayed Bradin Westerly, the oldest of three children who moved in with their aunt after their parents died, on Summerland. The actor’s TV career took off after the leading role and he later appeared on Greek, Army Wives, Young & Hungry and Young Justice as well as voiced Theordore in the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies. The New York native competed on The Masked Singer in 2020. Musically, McCartney has released five studio albums, including 2021’s New Stage.

Us confirmed in September 2019 that McCartney got engaged to actress Katie Peterson after dating for seven years. They tied the knot in October 2021. McCartney and Peterson welcomed their first baby, son Archer, in May 2025.

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Gregory Smith

Gregory Smith made his acting debut in the ‘90s, but it wasn’t until he began playing Ephram Brown on The WB’s Everwood in 2002 that he became a major hit with viewers. He played Dr. Andrew “Andy” Brown’s (Treat Williams) eldest child, who fell for Amy Abbott (Emily VanCamp) after moving to Colorado for four seasons. The Canada native has since starred in Conception, Dream House and episodes of Working the Engels. He portrayed Officer Dov Epstein on Rookie Blue from 2010 to 2015. Smith stepped behind the camera shortly after the series ended working as a director on Saving Hope, Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and God Friended Me. He has been a supervising producer on Superman and Lois since 2021.

Smith married actress Taylor McKay in 2018. Their first child, son Harry, was born in January 2021.

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Chris Pratt

Chris Pratt’s first TV role was playing Amy’s (Emily VanCamp) handsome big brother, Bright Abbott, on Everwood from 2002 to 2006. He then had a recurring role as Ché on The O.C. before starring on Parks and Recreation as Andy Dwyer from 2009 to 2015. The Minnesota native’s movie roles include Bride Wars, Moneyball, The Five-Year Engagement, Her, The Magnificent Seven, Passengers, Onward and The Tomorrow War. He has also voiced Emmet Brickowski in the Lego Movie franchise, played Peter Quill/Star Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and portrayed Owen Grady in the Jurassic World franchise.

The Terminal List star was married to Anna Faris from 2009 to 2018. They share son Jack, who was born in August 2012.

Pratt wed Katherine Schwarzenegger in 2019 and welcomed their first child, daughter Lyla, in August 2020. Us confirmed in December 2021 that the couple were expecting their second baby together. The twosome’s second daughter, Eloise, was born in May 2022. The pair welcomed son Ford in November 2024.

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Milo Ventimiglia

Milo Ventimiglia captured fans’ attention playing Rory’s (Alexis Bledel) bad boy boyfriend, Jess Mariano, on Gilmore Girls for six seasons. After leaving the series in 2006 following season 6, Ventimiglia was cast in a short-lived series on The WB called The Bedford Diaries. He portrayed Richard Thorne II on the show before landing the role of Peter Petrelli on Heroes. The California native has since starred on Wolverine, Mob City, Chosen, The Whispers and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He has played Jack Pearson on This Is Us for six seasons. The Art of Racing in the Rain star is also a director and producer, having worked on The PET Squad Files and Revelation Status.

Us exclusively confirmed in October 2023 that Ventimiglia married Jarah Mariano earlier in the year in a private wedding ceremony.  The couple welcomed their first child in January 2025. While celebrating daughter Ke'ala's first birthday, Mariano revealed she is pregnant again.

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Matt Czuchry

Some WB fans might remember that Matt Czuchry had a recurring role on the short-lived show Young Americans in 2000 before joining the cast of Gilmore Girls in 2004. He played Rory’s (Alexis Bledel) college boyfriend, Logan Huntzberger, until the 2007 series end and later reprised the role on the Netflix revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. The New Hampshire native has continued to make a splash on TV, appearing on Friday Night Lights before portraying Cary Agos on The Good Wife from 2009 to 2016. He plaed Conrad Hawkins on The Resident from 2018 to 2023. He also served as an executive producer on the project.

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Penn Badgley

Penn Badgley played Owen Gregory, one of six college students brought together in the one-season series The Bedford Diaries, which aired in 2006. The same year, he starred in John Tucker Must Die. The Maryland native has since appeared in Easy A, Greetings From Tim Buckley, Here Today and The Birthday Cake. His TV credits include playing Dan Humphrey for six seasons on Gossip Girl and portraying Joe Goldberg on You, which premiered in 2018. Badgley is also a producer on the thriller series. Outside of acting, the star is the lead singer for the indie group MOTHXR, which released its debut album, Centerfold, in 2016.

The Do Over alum married singer and actress Domino Kirke in 2017. They welcomed their first child, son James, in September 2020. Badgley announced in September 2025 that he and Kirke had welcomed twin boys.

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Joey and Matthew Lawrence

The two oldest Lawrence brothers starred alongside their younger sibling, Andrew Lawrence, on Brotherly Love from 1995 to 1997. While Andrew grew up to be a heartthrob, when he was on the show, he was just a kid. Joey Lawrence, who played Joe Roman, and Matthew Lawrence, who played Matt Roman, however, were major eye candy on the network.

Joey has since starred on American Dreams, Run of the House, Half & Half, Melissa & Joey and Hawaii Five-0. His film hits include Hitched for the Holidays, Roe v. Wade, The Office Mix-Up, Mistletoe Mixup and Pardoned by Grace. He is also a producer and director. Joey was married to Michelle Vella from 2002 to 2005. He wed Chandie Yawn-Nelson in 2005 but filed for divorce in 2020. The estranged couple share two children, daughters Charleston and Liberty. Us exclusively confirmed in August 2021 that the actor was engaged to actress Samantha Cope, whom he wed in May 2022. Joey welcomed his first baby, daughter Dylan, with Cope in January 2023. Cope filed for divorce one year later in August 2024 but they got back together. 

Matthew, for his part, went on to play Jack Hunter on Boy Meets World from 1997 to 2000. He later appeared in The Hot Chick, The Dog Who Saved Easter, Desperate Waters, Better Than Love and Mistletoe Mixup. He made his producer debut with 2021’s A Deadly Deed. The Mrs. Doubtfire actor married Cheryl Burke in 2019. Us confirmed in February 2022 that the Dancing With the Stars pro filed for divorce from Matthew after nearly three years of marriage. Matthew moved on with Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas in November 2022.

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David Boreanaz

David Boreanaz made a name for himself playing Buffy’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) vampire soulmate, Angel, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 1997 to 2003. The actor’s character earned his own spinoff series, Angel, which ran on the network from 1999 to 2004. The New York native went on to play Seeley Booth on Bones from 2005 to 2017. He has been portraying Jason Hayes on SEAL Team since 2017. Boreanaz made his directorial debut with a 2004 episode of Angel. He added producer to his list of accomplishments in 2007 with Bones, which he worked on throughout its 12-season run.

The actor was married to Ingrid Quinn from 1997 to 1999. He wed Jaime Bergman in 2001. The couple share two children: son Jaden and daughter Bella, born in 2002 and 2009, respectively.

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Barry Watson

Barry Watson had viewers swooning as Matt Camden on 7th Heaven. He portrayed the oldest son of Eric (Stephen Collins) and Annie Camden (Catherine Hicks) for 10 seasons from 1996 to 2006. The Michigan native then starred on What About Brian, Samantha Who?, Gossip Girl, Hart of Dixie and Date My Dad. Watson’s film gigs include Kiss at Pine Lake, A Dog’s Way Replica Luxury Handbag and Highway to Heaven. He also has writing and director credits, including writing an episode of 7th Heaven in 2002.

The Sorority Boys actor was married to Laura Payne-Gabriel from 1997 to 2002. He moved on with Tracy Hutson, whom he wed in 2006. The pair, who split in 2011, share sons Oliver and Felix. Watson married for a third time in 2015, saying “I do” to Natasha Gregson Wagner. The couple share daughter Clover.

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Nate Richert

Nate Richert played Sabrina Spellman’s (Melissa Joan Hart) boyfriend, Harvey Kinkle, on Sabrina the Teenage Witch from 1996 to 2003. He then starred in The Sure Hand of God, Game Box 1.0 and the short film H-e-n-r-y before walking away from Hollywood in 2006. Richert, who returned to acting in 2020 on an episode of Replica Luxury Handbag Work, is currently a singer-songwriter. He released his debut album, Halogen Moon, in 2012.

The Minnesota native married Malorie Felt in 2019.

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Nick Zano

Nick Zano made his television debut on The WB’s What I Like About You in 2003. He played Holly Tyler’s (Amanda Bynes) love interest, Vince, on the comedy until 2006. He has since had recurring roles on 7th Heaven, Cougar Town, Melrose Place, 90210, 2 Broke Girls and Happy Endings. He appeared on One Big Happy and Minority Report in 2015, one year before he began playing Nate Haywood on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. He hosted the MTV reality show Why Can't I Be You? in the early 2000s, which was also his first executive producer gig.

The New Jersey native has been dating actress Leah Renee Cudmore since 2016. They share two children: son Wyatt and daughter Lennon.

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Wesley Jonathan

Wesley Jonathan played one of Holly’s friends, Gary Thorpe, on What I Like About You from 2002 to 2006. Jonathan then appeared in Steppin: The Movie, Make Your Move, Trigger and The Men in My Life. He also starred on Almost Replica Luxury Handbag, The LeBrons, The Soul Man, Partners in Rhyme and Monogamy. Jonathan served as an executive producer on Monogamy in 2019.

The California native is married to Tamara Mitchell. The pair share daughter Faye.

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Ian Somerhalder

Ian Somerhalder portrayed Rawley Summer Academy student Hamilton Fleming on the short-lived show Young Americans in 2000. The Louisiana native later played Adam Knight on The WB’s Smallville before landing the role of Boone Carlyle on Lost in 2004. He later returned to the WB family on The CW’s The Vampire Diaries in 2009. He played vampire Damon Salvatore on the series until 2017. The producer and director went on to play Luther Swann on V-Wars in 2019.

The actor teamed up with TVD costar Paul Wesley in 2021 to create Brothers’ Bond bourbon. Somerhalder is married to Nikki Reed, with whom he shares daughter Bodhi. The duo announced in January 2023 that they were expecting baby No. 2. Reed confirmed their son’s birth via social media in June 2023.

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Jason Behr

Jason Behr had a recurring role on The WB’s Dawson’s Creek from 1998 to 1999 before landing the role of Max Evans on Roswell, which ran from 1999 to 2002. He has since starred on Breakout Kings and Supergirl. He returned to the Roswell universe in 2020 as Tripp Manes on Roswell, New Mexico. Film wise, Behr has appeared in Shooting Livien, Dragon Wars: D-War and Senseless.

The Minnesota native married KaDee Strickland in 2006. They welcomed their first child, son Atticus, in October 2020.

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Brendan Fehr

Brendan Fehr was one of the many dreamy men on Roswell. He played Michael Guerin from 1999 to 2002. The actor has since starred in Sugar, The Other Side of the Tracks, X-Men: First Class, Guardians of the Galaxy, Brotherhood and The Commando. The Canada native has also had success on TV, starring on CSI: Miami, Bones, Wynonna Earp and The Night Shift. Fehr made his directorial debut with 2017’s The Ugly Christmas Sweater.

The former model was briefly engaged to Roswell costar and love interest, Majandra Delfino, but the pair split in 2003. He married Jennifer Rowley in 2006. The couple share three daughters: James, Ellison and Ondine.

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Steve Howey

Texas native Steve Howey played the lovable Van Montgomery on Reba from 2001 to 2007. On the sitcom, his character moves in with Reba Hart (Reba McEntire) and her family after getting her eldest daughter, Cheyenne (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), pregnant. Howey went on to star in Bride Wars, Something Borrowed, In Your Eyes, Love on the Run and Stuber. He portrayed Kevin Ball on Shameless for 11 seasons until its 2021 end. Howey has been on High Potential since 2025.

Us confirmed in June 2020 that Howey and Sarah Shahi split after 11 years of marriage. The exes share three children: son William and twins Violet and Knox.

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Brian Krause

Brian Krause portrayed Piper Halliwell’s (Holly Marie Combs) husband, Leo Wyatt, on Charmed from 1998 to 2006. The whitelighter was the longest-lasting love interest for any of the Charmed sisters on the series. The actor, who is also a writer, director and producer, has since been seen in Nowhere to Hide, Rain from Stars, The Demonologist, Trauma Therapy, Secrets in the Water and Uploaded. He played Robert on Cypher in 2021.

The California native was married to Beth Bruce from 1996 to 2000. They share one son, Jamen, born in 1996.