Steven Spielberg donates $25,000 to James Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw donated $25,000 to the GoFundMe page dedicated to supporting the family of the late James Van Der Beek, who died Wednesday, Feb. 11, following a battle with cancer.

The “Varsity Blues” star’s death at age 48 was announced on his Instagram page, saying that he “passed peacefully.” The beloved actor was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023 and opened up about his illness publicly in November 2024.

Though Spielberg and Van Der Beek did not work together on film projects, “Dawson’s Creek” fans may remember that his character, Dawson, was a massive fan of the “Jaws” director, having several Spielberg movie posters in his room.

The cast of the hit teen drama series, including Michelle Williams and Katie Holmes, gathered in New York in August for a live reading of the series’s first episode to support Van Der Beek and the nonprofit F Cancer. At the reunion, Spielberg surprised fans with a video message dedicated to the character.

“Dawson, you made it. Maybe someday, I will get to have a Dawson’s closet,” Spielberg said.

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife of more than 15 years, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children: Olivia, 15; Joshua, 13; Annabel, 12; Emilia, 9; Gwendolyn, 7; and Jeremiah, 4.

GoFundMe donations are nearing $2 million

The GoFundMe page has now raised nearly $1.9 million for the actor’s grieving family as of Feb. 12.

“My friends created this link to support me and my children during this time,” Kimberly Van Der Beek wrote in a Feb. 11 Instagram story shortly after announcing her husband’s death on social media. She added, “With gratitude and a broken heart.”

The fundraiser also noted that “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.” Donations will “help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education.”

Multiple stars rallied behind the family, sharing tributes for the actor and urging their fans to support the crowdfunding page, including Busy Philipps, “Severance” actress Patricia Arquette, “One Tree Hill” alum Chad Michael Murray and the actor’s “Dawson’s Creek” costar Katie Holmes.

“Thank you. To share space with your imagination is sacred – breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each other’s hearts are safe in their expression,” Holmes wrote. “I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it.”

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY