Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek purchased a $4m ranch in Texas just weeks before his death, with close friends providing financial assistance to secure the property. The actor, who died aged 48 from colorectal cancer, wanted his family to move from rented accommodation to a permanent home.
A representative confirmed that friends helped with the down payment through a trust, allowing the family to shift from rent to mortgage. The Van Der Beek family had relocated from Los Angeles to Texas five years ago.
Following his death on 20 November, a GoFundMe page was set up for his wife Kimberly and their six children. Initially aiming for $500, donations have surpassed $2.5m from 48,000 contributions, including from high-profile celebrities.
In the months before his death, Van Der Beek had auctioned memorabilia from his career, including a shirt from the first episode of Dawson's Creek and shoes from the film Varsity Blues, to cover cancer treatment costs. His wife described the financial strain as 'draining'.
Close friend Alfonso Ribeiro, godfather to Van Der Beek's daughter Gwendolyn, paid tribute on social media, calling him a 'true friend, brother and life guide'. The GoFundMe page stressed that the family is working hard to stay in their home and maintain stability for the children.
