Why James Van Der Beek’s Family GoFundMe Has Raised $2M Since His Death

James Van Der Beek’s fans and famous friends are rallying around his family. Following the “Dawson’s Creek” star’s passing from colorectal cancer on Feb. 11 at age 48, a GoFundMe set up for his wife, Kimberly, and their six children has raised $2 million to date – thanks in part to donations from A-listers including Steven Spielberg, the favorite director of James’ TV alter ego, Dawson Leery. As the GoFundMe page explains, the costs of his medical care were draining for the family, and the money raised will go to Kimberly and the kids as they rebuild their lives. After being diagnosed, James was candid about his expenses, telling “Good Morning America” about selling his jerseys from “Varsity Blues.” While playing Dawson for five seasons catapulted James into stardom, money didn’t automatically come with success. In 2012, he talked about his financial struggles as a young actor with Today.com, saying: “I was 20. It was a bad contract. I saw almost nothing from that.” And he spoke out in 2023, educating fans about the realities of the SAG and writers’ strikes at the time.