Dawson’s Creek premiered on January 20, 1998 and changed the television landscape forever.The series became the fledgling WB network’s breakout hit and helped usher in the wave of youth-oriented shows alongside Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Felicity, Roswell, Charmed and Angel, among others.And while Dawson‘s made stars of its main cast of James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson, gays of certain age were also fixated on the show’s handsome and fit father figure, John Wesley Shipp.Subscribe to our daily newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.In honor of today being Shipp’s 69th birthday, let’s take a gander at this gorgeous man’s trailblazing status.I came to Dawson’s Creek for Dawson’s.
I stayed…for his Dad.We don’t want to wait for our lives to be over…For nearly five seasons, Shipp showed off his impeccable bone structure, sun-kissed complexion, and gym-toned physique through his oversized button-downs playing Dawson’s very handsome father Mitch O’Leery.Shipp was more than just a feast for young sore eyes.A post shared by Dawson's Creek. (@the90screek)On top of being a caring dad, Mitch was a substitute teacher, guidance counselor and the football coach at the show’s fictional Capeside High School AND co-owned the family restaurant, Leery’s Fresh Fish.How did he even find time to go to the gym?!The character was also ahead of its time.