James Van Der Beek has clearly learned to embrace his past.

One the heels of those hilarious Funny or Die videos and the "Why didn't I think of that?" Web venture known as James Van Der Memes comes the news that the former 'Dawson's Creek' actor is set to star in the ABC pilot 'Don't Trust the B*tch in Apt. 23' -- as himself.

According to Vulture, the man formerly known as Dawson Leery will play "a heightened version of himself" a la Neil Patrick Harris in the 'Harold and Kumar' movies and Matt LeBlanc on 'Episodes.'