Steven Spielberg Donates Jaw-Dropping Amount to James Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe
What To Know
- Steven Spielberg donated $25,000 to the GoFundMe campaign supporting James Van Der Beek’s family after the actor’s death from colon cancer at age 48.
- The fundraiser, which surpassed its $1.5 million goal with over $2.1 million raised, also received significant contributions from director Jon M. Chu and an anonymous donor.
- Van Der Beek’s family faces financial hardship due to medical expenses, and the campaign aims to help his wife and six children maintain stability following his passing.
Steven Spielberg just donated a jaw-dropping amount to James Van Der Beek‘s GoFundMe campaign in the wake of the Dawson’s Creek star’s death.
As of February 13, Spielberg contributed a staggering $25,000 to the GoFundMe campaign, which is now over $2.1 million of its $1.5 million goal. Additionally, Wicked director Jon M. Chu donated $10,000. Another large donation of $30,000 came from an anonymous donor.
Van Der Beek died at 48 on Thursday, February 12, after a battle with colon cancer. His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed the sad news via Instagram.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” she wrote. “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
The couple, who married in 2010, welcomed six kids: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4.
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The GoFundMe campaign description for the Van Der Beek family read, “Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care. ”
It continued, “In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. 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.”
In November, Van Der Beek auctioned off Dawson’s Creek memorabilia amid his cancer treatment. The actor announced his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024, although he was diagnosed in August 2023.
Dawson’s Creek aired for six seasons from 1998 to 2003. In addition to Van Der Beek, the series starred Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, Kerr Smith, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, and John Wesley Shipp, among others.
Dawson’s Creek, streaming on Netflix, Tubi, Hulu, and Disney+