Late Actor James Van Der Beek’s Family Faces Financial Crisis

Friends of James Van Der Beek have launched an urgent fundraiser after the beloved actor’s long battle with colon cancer reportedly left his family in deep financial distress — and the response has been staggering.

Less than 24 hours after news of his death was shared by his wife, Kimberly, a GoFundMe campaign created by close friends surged past the $1 million mark. Within just seven hours, donations had already exceeded $1.2 million, reflecting an outpouring of love from fans and colleagues alike.

According to the fundraiser page, the 48-year-old actor’s prolonged medical treatment drained the family’s resources. Organizers wrote that Kimberly and their children are now “facing an uncertain future,” explaining that the cost of care and the extended fight against cancer left them short of funds.

The donations, they say, will help cover essential living expenses, household bills, and the children’s education — offering stability during an unimaginably difficult time.

Van Der Beek, best known for his role as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek, had been open in recent years about how his illness affected his ability to work. He shared candid updates on social media about undergoing treatment and the toll it took not only physically but financially.

The actor and his family had relocated from their Texas ranch — purchased in 2020 after years in Los Angeles — to an apartment closer to the hospital to accommodate his treatment. With mounting medical bills and everyday expenses, the family reportedly struggled to stay afloat.

In December, Van Der Beek even sold memorabilia from the set of Dawson’s Creek in an effort to raise funds. Among the items auctioned was the iconic necklace Dawson gifted Joey — portrayed by Katie Holmes — which sold for $26,628. Other set pieces, including decorations from Dawson’s bedroom, brought in thousands more.

At the time, the actor acknowledged life’s “unexpected twists and turns,” saying it was finally the right moment to part with treasured keepsakes he had stored for years.

Support also came from his former castmates. In September, co-stars including Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson, and Holmes organized a reunion event at New York’s Richard Rodgers Theatre. The special read-through of the show’s pilot episode aimed to raise money for Van Der Beek’s treatment and the nonprofit F Cancer.

Though he had hoped to attend, illness forced him to withdraw at the last minute. Instead, he appeared in a video message that left fans emotional as he expressed gratitude for the support.

“This is the evening I’d been looking forward to most,” he said at the time, explaining that health complications had kept him from standing on stage and thanking supporters in person.

Now, in the wake of his passing, the GoFundMe campaign’s rapid success underscores just how deeply he impacted those who grew up watching him — and those who worked beside him.

For many fans, the donations represent more than financial assistance. They are a collective tribute to a man who defined a generation of teen television and who, in his final years, spoke candidly about vulnerability, fatherhood, and resilience.

As contributions continue to climb, supporters say they hope the overwhelming generosity will help ensure his wife and children can move forward with security — and with the knowledge that they are not facing the future alone.