Joshua Jackson is a Canadian-American actor known for iconic roles in Dawson’s Creek, Fringe, and Dr. Death. His 30+ year career spans film, TV, and stage, marked by steady evolution and critical acclaim
Born June 11, 1978, Joshua Carter Jackson has appeared in film and TV for over 30 years, earning a Genie Award and multiple Critics’ Choice nominations. He played Pacey Witter on Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003) and Dr. Christopher Duntsch on Dr. Death (2021), demonstrating his shift from teen drama to gritty true crime.
Who is Joshua Jackson?
Canadian‑American Joshua Carter Jackson debuted in TV commercials at age nine, rose to teen‑idol fame on The Mighty Ducks films, and later earned acclaim in dramas like Fringe. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, to an American mother and Canadian-Irish father, Jackson grew up with acting in his blood. His mother, Fiona Jackson, worked as a casting director, which gave young Joshua early exposure to the entertainment world.
After his parents’ divorce, he lived in California and then Seattle with his mother, Fiona Jackson (a casting director), securing both Canadian and U.S. passports that eased his work across borders.
His on-screen charisma led to commercial work at age nine and launched a career spanning film, TV, and theater.
Joshua Jackson Age
Now 46, Jackson started acting at nine in TV commercials. By 14, he co‑starred in The Mighty Ducks, launching decades of steady roles. His work in The Mighty Ducks trilogy showcased early talent that would carry him through a long-lasting career and evolve with his age and experience.
Career Highlights
Jackson has delivered standout performances across mediums, with five roles defining his growth as a serious actor:
- Pacey Witter in Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003): This role transformed Jackson from a child actor into a legitimate teen heartthrob. As the sarcastic, underachieving friend who often served as the show’s moral compass, Jackson brought depth and vulnerability to what could have been a one-dimensional character. His on-screen relationship with Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) became a defining slow-burn romance of late-‘90s television and cemented his place in pop culture history.
- Charlie Conway in The Mighty Ducks trilogy (1992-1996): Jackson’s portrayal of team captain Charlie Conway made him relatable to a generation of young viewers. His character’s growth from an uncertain player to a confident leader mirrored Jackson’s development as an actor during these formative professional years.
- Peter Bishop in Fringe (2008-2013): This sci-fi series allowed Jackson to showcase his dramatic range as Peter Bishop, a troubled genius working alongside his father to investigate unexplained phenomena. The role demonstrated Jackson’s ability to handle complex emotional material while maintaining the charm that made him famous.
- Cole Lockhart in The Affair (2014-2018): As the spurned husband Cole, Jackson delivered a nuanced performance that explored grief, betrayal, and redemption. The role marked his successful transition into more mature, morally ambiguous character work.
- Dr. Christopher Duntsch in Dr. Death (2021-present): In perhaps his darkest role to date, Jackson portrayed real-life neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, whose gross malpractice led to the death and permanent injury of numerous patients. This chilling performance showcased Jackson’s willingness to explore uncomfortable territory and his skill at portraying complex villains.
Joshua Jackson wife
Jackson’s personal life has been marked by several significant relationships, with his most recent marriage capturing considerable public attention. Jackson wed Jodie Turner‑Smith on August 18, 2019, following a relationship that began in 2018 and led to the birth of their daughter in April 2020.
The couple welcomed their daughter in April 2020, but their marriage proved short-lived. Turner-Smith filed for divorce in October 2023, citing “irreconcilable differences” and requesting joint custody of their daughter. Court documents revealed she listed their separation date as September 13, 2023.
Before Turner-Smith, Jackson had two other high-profile relationships. He dated his Dawson’s Creek co-star Katie Holmes from 1998 to 2000, a relationship that coincided with their characters’ romance on the show. He was in a decade-long relationship with actress Diane Kruger (2006–2016), his most enduring before marriage. Despite their decade together, the couple never married.
Joshua Jackson daughter
Their daughter, Janie Jackson, was born on April 13, 2020. Both parents maintain her privacy, sharing a few photos or details.
The birth took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Turner-Smith later revealing she had a home birth partly due to concerns about healthcare disparities faced by Black women in hospitals. Following their divorce filing in 2023, both parents requested joint custody of their daughter, signaling their commitment to co-parenting despite the end of their romantic relationship.
Major Roles List
Throughout his career, Jackson has taken on diverse roles across film and television:
- Charlie Conway in The Mighty Ducks trilogy (1992, 1994, 1996)
- Pacey Witter in Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003)
- Jake in Cruel Intentions (1999)
- Luke McNamara in The Skulls (2000)
- Blaine Tuttle in Urban Legend (1998)
- Peter Bishop in Fringe (2008-2013)
- James Leeds in Children of a Lesser God (Broadway, 2018)
- Cole Lockhart in The Affair (2014-2018)
- Bill Richardson in Little Fires Everywhere (2020)
- Dr. Christopher Duntsch in Dr. Death (2021-present)
Jackson’s talent has earned him recognition throughout his career. He won a Genie Award (Canada’s Oscar equivalent) for Best Actor for his performance in the independent film One Week (2008), where he played a man who takes a motorcycle journey across Canada after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
His television work has also received acclaim, with a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Affair. While Dawson’s Creek turned him into a household name, it was his later dramatic work that earned him critical respect.
In 2018, Jackson made his Broadway debut in the revival of Children of a Lesser God, demonstrating his versatility by mastering American Sign Language for the role and earning praise for his stage presence.
Lifestyle
Jackson has maintained homes in several locations throughout his career, reflecting his binational background. He has owned property in Vancouver, maintaining connections to his Canadian roots, while also having residences in New York during his Broadway run and Los Angeles for his television work.
Before his divorce from Turner-Smith, the couple purchased a home in Topanga, California, a mountainous area known for its artistic community and privacy. Their Topanga home was reportedly damaged in the 2021 Palisades Fire.
Off-screen, Jackson enjoys basketball, a passion that began during his Mighty Ducks days, and is known for his love of travel and music. He has kept a low profile, focusing on his craft over celebrity.
Income Sources
Jackson’s primary income source has been his acting work, with his long-running television series providing substantial financial stability. His role on Dawson’s Creek spanned six seasons, while Fringe lasted five seasons and The Affair four seasons. Television actors typically receive per-episode salaries that increase as a show maintains popularity, suggesting Jackson’s earnings grew substantially over these runs.
Beyond acting, Jackson has ventured into producing, serving as executive producer on some of his projects, including Dr. Death, which provides an additional revenue stream. While he hasn’t been the face of major advertising campaigns, his steady work across multiple successful series has built his wealth consistently over time.
Assets & House
Property has been a significant investment for Jackson throughout his career. He and Turner-Smith purchased their Topanga Canyon home for approximately $4 million, though reports indicate it suffered damage during wildfires. Before that, he owned a home in the Hollywood Hills that he purchased following his success on Dawson’s Creek.
Jackson also maintained connections to his Canadian roots through property in Vancouver, where he spent time filming Fringe and other projects. During his relationship with Diane Kruger, the couple shared homes in Paris and New York, though these properties were sold following their separation in 2016.
Legal & Controversy
The most significant legal matter in Jackson’s public life is his ongoing divorce from Turner-Smith. Filed in October 2023, the divorce proceedings have included discussions of child support and custody arrangements for their daughter. In early 2024, reports emerged suggesting disagreements over financial matters and child support payments.
Unlike many of his Hollywood peers, Jackson has largely avoided major scandals or controversies throughout his career. He hasn’t faced public legal troubles related to substance abuse, behavioral issues, or professional conflicts, maintaining a relatively clean reputation in an industry often marked by high-profile missteps.
Joshua Jackson Net Worth
Jackson’s net worth is estimated at $8 million, driven by long-running TV roles and producing credits, earned largely from six‑season runs on Dawson’s Creek and Fringe, and his producing credits on Dr. Death.
His wealth comes primarily from his sustained television work, with Dawson’s Creek, Fringe, The Affair, and Dr. Death providing the bulk of his income. Television actors on successful series typically see their per-episode salaries increase substantially over a show’s run, with leads on long-running series often earning six figures per episode in later seasons.
Compared to some of his Dawson’s Creek co-stars—particularly Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams, who both pursued film careers—Jackson’s net worth reflects his focus on television rather than blockbuster films, which often command higher salaries but offer less stability.
Final Thoughts
Joshua Jackson’s journey from child actor to respected dramatic performer shows a rare longevity in Hollywood. What distinguishes his career is not just its length but its evolution—each phase building upon the last while exploring new creative territory.
The charm and vulnerability that made Pacey Witter a beloved character found more complex expression in his portrayal of Peter Bishop on Fringe and darker dimensions in his work on The Affair and Dr. Death. Unlike many former teen idols, Jackson broke typecasting and built a career grounded in range and substance that spans genres and formats.
As he moves into his late 40s, Jackson continues to seek challenging roles that push his boundaries as a performer. His willingness to play morally ambiguous characters and explore uncomfortable emotional territory speaks to an actor still growing and evolving rather than resting on past successes.
