James Van Der Beek’s $2m GoFundMe donations are ‘a light’ for late star’s family after his death at 48
James Van Der Beek’s loved ones expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support on the GoFundMe page created following the late star’s death.
The Dawson Creek actor’s death at the age of 48 was confirmed by his family on social media on Wednesday, following a battle with stage three colorectal cancer.
Fans and celebrities have since broken their silence on his death with emotional tributes mourning the loss.
His close friends also started the campaign GoFundMe An appeal went out on Wednesday to help raise funds for Van Der Beek’s widow Kimberly and their six children following a medical battle that ‘left the family penniless’.
As of Friday, the page had raised over $2 million in donations, and organizers sent a message saying it was a “light” to their loved ones.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for coming to James and his beautiful family,” Van Der Beek’s friends wrote. ‘Your kindness has meant more than we can put into words.
James Van Der Beek’s loved ones expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support on the GoFundMe page created following the late star’s death; seen in 2020
Close friends also started a GoFundMe on Wednesday to help Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly, and their six children raise funds after a health battle that ‘left the family penniless’.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for coming to James and his beautiful family,” Van Der Beek’s friends wrote. ‘Your kindness meant more than we can put into words’
‘Your support has been a light in the midst of deep pain. It reminds us that love is real, community is strong and James’ spirit continues to bring people together.’
The message stated that the late star’s family was “taking time to grieve and be with each other.”
Her friends also requested “space and privacy” for Kimberly and her children so they had “the space they need to heal” in “this painful season.”
The statement concluded: ‘Please continue to keep James’ wife and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for honoring his life with compassion, generosity and love.’
Van Der Beek married Kimberly in 2010 and they have six children together: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven, and Jeremiah, four.
The GoFundMe goal was set at $1.5 million, but that figure was quickly surpassed as generous donations poured in.
Zoe Saldana specifically contributed $2,500 and will continue to donate the same amount every month.
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw donated $25,000 to Van Der Beek’s family.
The statement concluded: ‘Please continue to keep James’ wife and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for honoring his life with compassion, generosity and love’; Seen in Los Angeles in May 2025
Van Der Beek married Kimberly in 2010 and they have six children together: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven, and Jeremiah, four.
Zoe Saldana donated $2,500 and will continue donating the same amount every month
Van Der Beek’s character on Dawson’s Creek was a big fan of Spielberg on the show.
Caldera Lab gave $50,000, while Guardant Health matched Spielberg’s donation of $25,000.
Guardant Health’s mission is ‘to help patients at all stages of cancer live longer, healthier lives through the power of blood tests and the data they unlock,’ according to the company’s official website.
Villain director Jonathan Chu donated $10,000, while talent manager Guy Oseary gave the same figure.
On Wednesday, Van Der Beek’s family confirmed his death at the age of 48 in a post on social media.
It read: ‘Our dear James David Van Der Beek passed away peacefully this morning. He faced his final days with courage, faith and grace.
‘He has so much to share about his wishes, his love for humanity and the sanctity of time. Those days will come. For now, we ask for peace and privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.’
Van Der Beek announced his diagnosis of stage three colorectal cancer in November 2024.
On Wednesday, Van Der Beek’s family confirmed his death at the age of 48 in a post on social media.
A source previously told the Daily Mail that he “had not been treated for a while because there was nothing more doctors could do, the cancer was aggressive.”
Alfonso Ribeiro gave a glimpse into the last moments of the player, who was seen next to Van Der Beek in a photo shortly before his death.
‘This was taken by @vanderkimberly just moments before my final farewell,’ he wrote. ‘My last memory was making her laugh one last time.’
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum is also godfather to Van Der Beek and Kimberly’s daughter, Gwendolyn.
Ribeiro paid another emotional tribute to his close friend after the news of his death emerged.
Other fans and celebrities mourned his loss on social media and expressed their condolences to his loved ones.
Some of the Dawson’s Creek cast members paid tribute to the late star, including Katie Holmes, who shared an emotional letter on Instagram.
He admitted his death was ‘a lot to process’ before sending his love to Van Der Beek’s widow Kimberly and their children.
Van Der Beek announced his stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024.
Alfonso Ribeiro took a look at the last moments of the actor, who was seen in a photo next to Van Der Beek shortly before his death
‘This was taken by @vanderkimberly just moments before my final farewell,’ he wrote. ‘My last memory was making her laugh for the last time’
‘James. Thank you. Sharing space with your imagination is sacred; breathing the same air in the world of imagination and trusting that each other’s hearts are safe to express themselves,” Holmes wrote in a handwritten note.
The actress also opened up about the memories they shared while working together on Dawson’s Creek.
Holmes continued: ‘Courage. Mercy. Selfishness. Force. Appreciation of life and actions taken to live life with the fullness that life is art – creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children – a Hero’s journey.
‘I mourn this loss with a heart that bears the reality of his absence and with deep gratitude for the mark he left on it.’
He concluded: ‘Kimberly and kids, we are always here for you. And I will always be there to shower you with Love and affection.’
Other former co-stars, including Busy Philipps and Chad Michael Murray, also mourned the loss on social media.
Some of the Dawson’s Creek cast members paid tribute to the late star, including Katie Holmes, who shared an emotional letter on Instagram.
On Thursday, Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly, reposted a video of Alana Springsteen singing a cover of Paula Cole’s Dawson’s Creek theme song, I Don’t Want To Wait.
Springsteen uploaded the clip to Instagram with the following caption: ‘Rip james van der beek, this loss hit me hard today’
On Thursday, Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly, reposted a video of Alana Springsteen singing a cover of Paula Cole’s I Don’t Want To Wait, the Dawson’s Creek theme song.
Springsteen uploaded the clip to Instagram with the following caption: ‘Rip james van der beek, this loss hit me hard today.
‘There was a lot of girlhood going on in the background of her work. Praying for his beautiful family,’ she added, before encouraging her followers to visit her GoFundMe page.
Cole responded to the cover, adding in the comments section: ‘So beautiful. Tears and more tears. Thank you for honoring James and his family.’
