Money raised will go to the “Dawson’s Creek” star’s wife Kimberly and their six children.

Friends of James Van Der Beek share update on fundraiser for his family, say his ‘spirit continues to bring people together’

Money raised will go to the "Dawson's Creek" star's wife Kimberly and their six children.

By Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Yahoo and in American *Journalism Review* and *The Shreveport Times*.

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February 13, 2026 4:14 p.m. ET

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The fundraiser for James Van Der Beek's family is ongoing. Credit:

JC Olivera/Variety via Getty

The fundraiser for James Van Der Beek's wife and kids following his death is doing quite well.

So well, in fact, that friends of the *Dawson's Creek* alum who started a GoFundMe account for them, gave a grateful update Thursday, after surpassing the original $1 million goal. As of Friday afternoon, the total was $2.3 million, from more than 44.4 thousand donors.

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for showing up for James and his beautiful family," the website read. "Your kindness has meant more than we can put into words. In the middle of deep grief, your support has been a light. It reminds us that love is real, that community is strong, and that James's spirit continues to bring people together."

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Van Der Beek, who played the titular character on all six seasons of the '90s TV series, died just more than a year after disclosing that he had been privately undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer. He was 48.**

The campaign for financial support for his family noted that Van Der Beek's wife, Kimberly, his wife since 2010, and their six 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," it stated. "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."

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Donations will be used for the cost of "essential living expenses, [to] pay bills, and support the children’s education."

The update noted that all of them are understandably grieving at the moment.**

"Right now, the family is taking time to mourn and be with one another. We kindly ask members of the media and the public to give them space and privacy as they walk through this painful season," the note read. "Your respect and understanding will give them the room they need to heal."

James and Kimberly Van Der Beek have six children.

James Van Der Beek/Instagram

"Please continue to keep James's wife and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers," the update on the fundraising page continued. Thank you for honoring his life with compassion, generosity, and love."

Van Der Beek, who was also known for his work in the 1999 movie *Varsity Blues *and 2012 TV show *Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23*, in which he played a parody of himself, had previously said that he didn't benefit as much as expected from reruns of his popular teen show.

"There was no residual money," he told TODAY.com in April 2012. "I was 20. It was a bad contract. I saw almost nothing from that."

The actor was certainly loved, as shown by the support in following his death.

One notable donation to the GoFundMe drive for his family was $25,000 from director Steven Spielberg, notable not only for the generous amount but because his *Dawson's Creek* character, Dawson Leery, was known for idolizing the director.**

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