Van Der Beek's GoFundMe Sees Some Big-Name Donors

Steven Spielberg has quietly stepped in to help James Van Der Beek's family, contributing $25,000 to a GoFundMe set up after the actor's death from colorectal cancer. The fund, launched by friends to support Van Der Beek's widow, Kimberly, and their six children after cancer treatment costs "left the family out of funds," had surged past $2.1 million as of Friday morning, well beyond its original $550,000 target and updated $1.5 million goal, per the Hollywood Reporter. Van Der Beek's longtime on-screen obsession with Spielberg—his Dawson character famously idolized the director—came full circle after Spielberg surprised fans with a video message at a Dawson's Creek reunion last year.

The Dawson's Creek star, 48, revealed in November 2024 that he'd been battling the disease since August of the previous year; he died Wednesday morning. Other Hollywood names appear in the contributors list, including director Jon M. Chu with $10,000 and actor Zoe Saldana, listed under her married name with a $2,500 monthly pledge. USA Today notes that other big names who've come forward to offer support and encourage donations include Patricia Arquette and Dawson's Creek co-stars Busy Philipps and Katie Holmes.