The GoFundMe set up for actor James Van Der Beek’s family hit its $1.5 million goal Thursday afternoon after Van Der Beek’s family announced they were “out of funds,” less than 24 hours after it was posted.
The online fundraiser was set up after Van Der Beek’s death was announced Wednesday. The “Dawson’s Creek” star lived with the diagnosis of colorectal cancer for more than a year. He was 48 years old.
Kimberly Van Der Beek, James’ wife, posted a link to the GoFundMe on her Instagram stories, writing that her friends created it for her “with gratitude and a broken heart.”
The GoFundMe’s description said that through James Van Der Beek’s diagnosis, his family faced “emotional challenges” as well as a “significant financial strain.”
“In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future,” the fundraiser’s description reads. “The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. 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.”
Before Van Der Beek’s death, the actor sold some memorabilia from “Dawson’s Creek” to help pay for his medical expenses. One of the pieces he sold was the necklace his character, Dawson, gifted Katie Holmes’ character for prom. The winning bid was for more than $34,000.
“I’ve been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them, and with all of the recent unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it’s clear that the time is now,” Van Der Beek told People before the auction in late 2025.
The GoFundMe said the funds raised will help pay for living expenses, bills and their six children’s education. GoFundMe confirmed the fundraiser’s legitimacy to celebrity.land, saying they were working with the organizer “to ensure funds safely reach the intended beneficiary.” In the meantime, funds are “being held safely by our payment processor.”
More than 30,000 donations were made in less than 24 hours, totaling more than $1.5 million, which was the fundraiser’s goal.
Actor Zoe Saldaña appeared to donate $2,500 to the GoFundMe. Saldaña shared a post about Van Der Beek’s death on her Instagram stories, writing, “This hits hard. Our deepest condolences to his family.” Saldaña’s reps did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Van Der Beek’s co-stars from “Dawson’s Creek” paid their tributes to the actor after his death was announced. His co-star Busy Phillips wrote on Instagram that he was “one in a billion” and “will be forever missed.”
His other co-star Katie Holmes shared a handwritten note on Instagram, writing that his death is “a lot to process.”
“Bravery. Compassion. Selflessness. Strength,” Holmes wrote. “An appreciation for life and the action taken to live life with the integrity that life is art — creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children — the journey of a hero. I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it.”
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