James Van Der Beek, the beloved star of Dawson’s Creek, died on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48 after fighting colorectal cancer that was found in 2023. Friends quickly set up a GoFundMe page for his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six kids—Olivia (15), Joshua (13), Annabel (12), Emilia (9), Gwendolyn (7), and Jeremiah (4)—to help them pay for medical bills and living costs that left them “out of funds.” The campaign became very popular, reaching $1 million in less than 24 hours and setting a new goal of $1.3 million as almost 20,000 people gave.
The goal started at $250,000 and quickly grew to $550,000. By February 12, the effort had raised more than $1 million, thanks to messages that stressed the family’s “uncertain future” because of the high cost of treatment. Zoe Saldaña ($2,500) and Julie Plec ($5,000) were two of the most generous donors. The money will be used for bills, education, and keeping the home stable. This quick success shows how loyal Van Der Beek’s fans are. He is known for Varsity Blues and auctioning off memorabilia last year to help pay for his medical bills.
The viral fundraiser has gotten people talking online about U.S. healthcare, with many wondering why a successful actor’s family needs crowdfunding after he beat cancer. Kimberly’s page focuses on keeping the kids stable during their grief and thanks supporters for giving them “hope and security.” As donations keep coming in, the campaign shows how close-knit Hollywood is when times are tough.
