(Cover) - EN Showbiz - James Van Der Beek believes his daughter is already smarter than him.

The 33-year-old actor is best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the 90s teen drama Dawson's Creek.

He recently became a father for the first time last September when his wife Kimberly gave birth to their daughter Olivia. James thinks he has met his match in the form of his daughter who he describes as exceptional.

Shes brilliant. Easily smarter than the father, already! Way smarter than me! he told People magazine.

James recently starred in in US medical series Mercy, where he played a womanising doctor. Despite portraying a medic, James reveals he still struggles to be taken seriously by those who matter.

It doesnt work at home. And even less so with the actual medical community. They dont respect people that have played doctors on television. I dont understand whats wrong because I can throw down medical lingo like the best of them! he jokingly added. (C) Cover Media