The Money Debate After James Van Der Beek’s Death

James Van Der Beek’s sudden demise at 48 left Hollywood surprised, and it sparked a wave of generosity few may ignore. 

Inside days, a GoFundMe created for his widow and 6 youngsters crossed $2.6 million. Huge names opened their wallets, and followers adopted. 

Nevertheless, as the full climbed, so did the questions. Why would a recognizable TV star want public donations? The reply, it seems, is way extra layered than many critics assumed.

The GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek’s household shortly grew to become a rallying level for the business. 

Steven Spielberg contributed $25,000. Zoe Saldaña pledged $2,500 a month, whereas Jon M. Chu gave $10,000. Lyn Lear additionally donated $5,000. Others, together with Julie Plec, Ricki Lake, and Lydia Hearst, additionally generously chipped in.

The fundraiser’s fast rise to greater than $2.6 million underscored Van Der Beek’s stature in Hollywood. 

After shedding his three-year struggle with colorectal most cancers on Feb. 11, colleagues and mates clearly wished to ease the burden on his household. 

To many, the donations have been an indication of affection and appreciation for an actor who had labored steadily for many years.

Nonetheless, not everybody felt comfy with the marketing campaign. Some on-line commenters questioned why a star of “Dawson’s Creek” would want monetary assist. 

One critic wrote, “This doesn’t sit proper with me. By no means. Certain, I get it. However hundreds of individuals around the globe face this actual scenario daily and take care of the wrestle.”  They added, “He needed to have had life insurance coverage … and residual checks.”

The criticism grew louder after stories urged that James Van Der Beek had secured a down cost on a Texas ranch shortly earlier than his demise. 

That fueled hypothesis that he had extra money than individuals realized.

Nevertheless, actor Mehcad Brooks pushed again forcefully, writing, “You haven’t any thought wtf you’re speaking about. You haven’t any thought the ache they went by means of. It’s alright to stfu when you possibly can’t know what the f-ck you’re speaking about.” 

Whereas Van Der Beek grew to become a family title taking part in Dawson Leery, early TV contracts have been not often profitable for younger actors. 

At first of his profession, he was reportedly paid modestly. In keeping with a Warner Bros insider, each actor forged for “Dawson’s Creek” was unknown on the time.

“Katie Holmes was forged from a house video on her kitchen counter. I can’t think about James had any factors,” they stated.

Nevertheless, salaries elevated over time, probably reaching six figures per episode in later seasons, however residual offers in that period have been typically restricted.

In an interview with Today, Van Der Beek admitted, “There was no residual cash,” including, “I used to be 20. It was a foul contract.”

After “Dawson’s Creek” led to 2003, he stayed busy. He appeared in “Don’t Belief the B—— In House 23,” “CSI: Cyber,” and “Pose,” and acted in movies like “Varsity Blues” and “The Guidelines of Attraction.” 

Van Der Beek additionally competed on “Dancing With the Stars” and even voiced Boris on “Vampirina.” 

These jobs saved him seen, however they didn’t include blockbuster-level paydays.

After James Van Der Beek’s analysis in 2023, he certified for SAG insurance coverage, which probably lined a lot of his conventional most cancers therapy. 

Nevertheless, insurance coverage usually doesn’t cowl various therapies, and based on stories, the Hollywood star pursued each.

Chatting with The Hollywood Reporter, a household buddy shared, “It was a variety of ups and downs these previous few years.” 

The buddy famous that in Van Der Beek’s final 12 months, the actor tried all the pieces to outlive, together with trying the holistic route and touring out for different choices, even when they price hundreds of {dollars}.

“He actually wished to dwell and had quite a bit to dwell for. He fought actually, actually arduous,” they added.

Even so, Van Der Beek remained hopeful. Throughout an interview, he revealed that he knew from the beginning that he would flip the expertise into one thing constructive. 

“Once I heard the information,” he stated throughout a 2025 “Today” interview, “I used to be like, ‘That is going to be the perfect factor that’s ever occurred to me.’”