James Van Der Beek GoFundMe raises $2 million after actor’s death
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Organizers of James Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe have shared that they have raised more than $2 million, after previously sharing that the family “needs urgent funds” following the star’s death.
$2 million in donations come largely from Van Der Beek’s star-studded entourage. Zoe Saldaña, Derek Hough, Steven Spielberg and more donated thousands to help the “Dawson’s Creek” star’s family.
GoFundMe pageHe shared an update on February 12 created by James Van Der Beek’s friends and family, thanking fans for their donations.
WATCH JAMES VAN DER BEEK’S CONTENT FOR FREE ON TUBI
“Dawson’s Creek” star James Van Der Beek passed away on Feb. 11 after a battle with colorectal cancer. He was 48 years old. (Casey Flanigan)
“Your kindness has meant more than we can express in words. In the midst of deep grief, your support has been a light. It reminds us that love is real, community is strong, and James’ spirit continues to bring people together,” the page said.
Before the update, designer Erin Fetherston said: Extra It was stated that the family “urgently needed money” after Van Der Beek’s death following his battle with colorectal cancer.
“There is a genuine and urgent need for family here.”
“I’m so happy and grateful that so many people feel touched in their hearts the way our loved ones felt,” Fetherston said in a statement to the press on Thursday. “There’s a genuine and urgent need for family here. They really lived it, and I just want to thank everyone who gave and was inspired to give on their behalf.” he said.
He explained that Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, and their children were in a financial difficult situation following his death.
“These are six children facing life without a father. Their wonderful mother, Kimberly, was a devoted wife and mother,” Fetherston continued. “She had six children, and along the way, she went public with the loss of her babies. She was in the motherhood space and supporting James all these years. Now it’s really up to her to pick up the pieces.”
“By supporting them, you are helping them achieve some stability in their lives after going through an extremely difficult, painful and heartbreaking journey that culminated in the loss of their father,” the designer concluded.
James Van der Beek and his wife Kimberly have six children. (Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Hulu)
It looks like Van Der Beek’s famous friends are coming to the family’s rescue with hefty donations. Accordingly Us WeeklySpielberg and his wife donated $250,000.
Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw reportedly donated $250,000. (Getty Images)
DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Page Six Saldaña reportedly donates $2,500 a month. According to Page Six, “Bad” director Jon M. Chu donated $10,000 and Hough donated $1,000. The publication also lists Ricki Lake, Miranda Kerr, Kaley Cuoco and Lydia Hearst as donors, but specific amounts are not disclosed.
The GoFundMe page’s goal was initially set at $250,000, but increased as donations came in. The goal on the website was set at $1.5 million as of Friday, and it had surpassed $2 million.
Zoe Saldaña also donated to the Van Der Beek family. (Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife and six children: Olivia, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah. Kimberly announced her husband’s death in an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” his post began. “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. We have much to share about his wishes, his love of humanity, and the sanctity of time. Those days will come. For now, we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Following his death, tributes to Van Der Beek began to pour in. His “Dawson’s Creek” co-stars, including Katie Holmes, Busy Philipps, Mary Margaret Hume, Sasha Alexander and Chad Michael Murray, were among dozens of stars who remembered the late actor.
James Van Der Beek’s “Dawson’s Creek” co-star Katie Holmes honored the actor after his death. (Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
In November 2024, Van Der Beek officially I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer She first revealed her diagnosis in a statement to People in August 2023: “I have colorectal cancer. I deal specifically with this diagnosis and am taking steps to resolve it with the support of my incredible family.”
“There are reasons to be optimistic and I feel good,” he added.
James Van Der Beek announced in 2023 that he has cancer. (Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage)
In December 2025, Van Der Beek sat down with “Today’s” Craig Melvin and talked about his health.
“I feel much, much better than I did a few months ago,” Van Der Beek said at the time. “It was a longer journey than I thought. It required more patience from me, more discipline, more strength than I thought I had. I knew I was strong – I didn’t know I was that strong. But I feel good.”
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
