A GoFundMe page set up to support the family of late actor James Van Der Beek has raised more than $1.5m within two days of its launch. Van Der Beek, best known for his role in the television series Dawson’s Creek, died on Tuesday at the age of 48 after a battle with bowel cancer.
The fundraiser was established by friends of his wife, Kimberly, who announced his death on Instagram before sharing the donation link. The money is intended to cover medical expenses and provide stability for the couple's six children. The initial target of $350,000 was repeatedly raised, eventually reaching $1m, which was exceeded within hours.
Van Der Beek had been open about the financial strain of cancer treatment. In late 2024, after revealing his diagnosis, he auctioned memorabilia from the film Varsity Blues, stating that all proceeds would go towards families affected by cancer, including his own. He had previously sold items from Dawson’s Creek to help with costs.
The high cost of medical care in the United States, where private insurance dominates, has drawn increasing criticism. Last September, Van Der Beek’s former Dawson’s Creek co-stars hosted a charity event in New York to raise funds for his family, with Lin-Manuel Miranda standing in for the ailing actor.
