Dawson’s favorite director and 44,000 others push James Van Der Beek fundraiser toward $2.3 million

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People are continuing to generously support James Van Der Beek‘s family. As of Friday morning, the GoFundMe campaign created after the “Dawson’s Creek” star’s passing had raised nearly $2.3 million.

Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, have donated $25,000 to a fundraiser organized by friends of the late actor. Interestingly, Spielberg is known as the favorite director of Dawson Leery, the main character from the popular teen show that made Van Der Beek famous.

“Dawson’s Creek,” which ran from 1998 to 2003, was a hugely influential teen drama. The show centered on four friends growing up in a small seaside town, dealing with the ups and downs of adolescence – their hopes, their relationships, and all the challenges of growing up. Dawson, played by Van Der Beek, dreamed of becoming a filmmaker, but felt limited by his hometown. Alongside his friends Joey, Pacey, and Jen, he faced common teenage struggles like heartbreak, feeling betrayed, and making mistakes.

Television

James Van Der Beek, best known for his role as Dawson Leery in the popular TV show ‘Dawson’s Creek’ alongside Katie Holmes, has passed away at the age of 48.

As of Friday morning, the fundraiser had received donations from over 44,000 people. It was created to support James Van Der Beek’s wife and children, who are struggling financially after his death. The actor recently passed away after fighting colorectal cancer. The money raised will help the family cover everyday costs, pay bills, and fund the children’s education.

In 2012, James Van Der Beek shared that he earned very little from his time on “Dawson’s Creek” and hadn’t received any repeat payments, despite the show’s success.

He explained to “Today” that he didn’t receive any money from the deal. He was only 20 years old at the time, and it turned out to be a poor contract, leaving him with almost no earnings.

I was so touched to learn that even while facing such a difficult battle with cancer, James Van Der Beek was thinking of how to cover his medical expenses, even auctioning off pieces of his life and collection. And his “Dawson’s Creek” family really stepped up – they organized a reunion fundraiser for him and his loved ones, though sadly, he couldn’t be there himself because he was unwell. It was also incredibly kind of Paul Walter Hauser to use his platform and raise money through Cameo and auctions to support James before he passed. It just shows how much he was loved and how many people wanted to help.

In addition to Steven Spielberg, stars like Zoe Saldaña, Jon M. Chu, Derek Hough, Busy Philipps, and Jenna Dewan have also donated to James Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe campaign, among others.

Entertainment & Arts

Krysten Ritter, Chad Michael Murray, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and actors from ‘Dawson’s Creek’ remembered James Van Der Beek after his passing on Wednesday from colorectal cancer.

James Van Der Beek’s former co-stars from “Dawson’s Creek” are among those who have paid tribute to the actor who recently passed away.

Kevin Williamson, the creator of “Dawson’s Creek,” shared on Instagram that he’s been struggling all day to find the right words to describe how wonderful James Van Der Beek is and how much of an impact he’s had on his life. He admitted he’s at a loss for words, hoping he’ll be able to express himself better someday, but right now, his thoughts are with Van Der Beek and his family.

On Wednesday, Katie Holmes posted a handwritten note on Instagram for James Van Der Beek, making her the first of the four main stars of “Dawson’s Creek” to publicly speak about his passing.

Holmes wrote a note to Van Der Beek saying, “Thank you. It’s truly special to share a creative space with you—to collaborate and feel safe expressing ourselves.”

Remembering their friend, Holmes fondly recalled moments of shared joy – laughter, deep talks, and a love for James Taylor music – as well as the exciting experiences of their younger years. She also praised Van Der Beek’s courage, kindness, generosity, and inner strength.

Holmes expressed her sadness over the loss, acknowledging the pain of his absence while also cherishing the impact he had on her life. She also sent her love and support to Van Der Beek’s family.

Chad Michael Murray, Kerr Smith, Sasha Alexander, and other cast members from “Dawson’s Creek” have also shared their support and condolences for Van Der Beek and his family on social media.

Busy Philipps shared a heartfelt tribute to James Van Der Beek on Instagram, writing, ‘He was one in a billion and I will miss him forever. I don’t know what else to say.’ She continued, expressing her love for him and gratitude for their friendship over the years.

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2026-02-13 22:31