GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek’s family tops $2.3 million to help with ‘financial strain’ following star’s death

A GoFundMe account set up for the family of James Van Der Beek has surpassed $2 million following the Dawson’s Creek star’s death. The former teen heartthrob, who had been living with Stage 3 colorectal cancer since 2023, died on Wednesday. He was 48.

The GoFundMe, “Support for James Van Der Beek’s family,” was organized by loved ones of the family, with Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, listed as the beneficiary. It reached the $2 million mark on Thursday night. As of Friday afternoon, it had raised more than $2.3 million.

The donations include a recurring monthly payment of $2,500 from actress Zoe Saldaña; a $25,000 donation from filmmaker Steven Spielberg and his wife, actress Kate Capshaw; and an anonymous donation of $30,000.

“James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him,” a statement on the fundraiser’s page read. “Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care.”

Van Der Beek and his wife married in 2010 and share six young children together: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah. According to the statement on GoFundMe, “Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future.” Donations will go toward covering living expenses, paying bills and supporting the children’s education.

“The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds,” the statement continued. “They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time. The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead.”

An update from “Friends Of The Van Der Beek Family” was posted to the GoFundMe page on Thursday.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for showing up for James and his beautiful family,” read the update. “Your kindness has meant more than we can put into words. In the middle of deep grief, your support has been a light. It reminds us that love is real, that community is strong, and that James’s spirit continues to bring people together.”

The update also included a request that members of the media give the Van Der Beek family “space and privacy as they walk through this painful season.”

The Van Der Beeks have previously sought financial support from the public. The Elle actor teamed up with the online auction site Propstore last year to give fans the chance to own some of his most treasured pieces of memorabilia.

All proceeds from the auction, held in early December, went toward helping Van Der Beek cover the costs of his colorectal cancer treatment. The highest-selling item was the necklace that Van Der Beek’s character, Dawson, gave to his girlfriend Joey, played by Katie Holmes, for prom in Season 3 of Dawson’s Creek. It sold for $26,628. Van Der Beek raised more than $47,000 from the memorabilia sale.

Cobra Kai actor Paul Walter Hauser had also been raising money for Van Der Beek in the months leading up to the Dawson’s Creek star’s death. Hauser announced he wanted to help Van Der Beek after learning that he had been selling items from his personal memorabilia collection to pay medical bills. “It didn’t sit well with me,” Hauser wrote on Instagram in late January.

After Van Der Beek’s death was announced on Wednesday, Hauser said that he had raised more than $14,000 on Cameo, a platform where celebrities create custom videos for fans, for the Varsity Blues actor.

“I know you’re in Heaven being pampered with love,” Hauser wrote on Instagram. “The Van Der Beeks will be in our daily prayers and we’ll be drumming up some money to support your beautiful family. Thanks for the body of work and for being one of the good guys.”