A close friend of James Van Der Beek has responded to online backlash surrounding a GoFundMe campaign launched to support the actor’s family following his death from stage III colorectal cancer.
Van Der Beek, 48, best known for his role on Dawson’s Creek, is survived by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children. The fundraiser was created to help ease the financial strain caused by his prolonged illness. As of now, the campaign has raised $2,642,988—far surpassing its original $1.5 million goal. Director Steven Spielberg also contributed, donating $25,000.
“Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care,” the GoFundMe description reads. It adds that his cancer left the family “out of funds,” and that donations will help them keep their home and allow their children to continue their education. “The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead,” the fundraiser states.
In the days since, reports have noted that Van Der Beek purchased a $4.7 million Texas ranch one month before his death. The family originally moved from Beverly Hills to the property in 2020, renting it before securing ownership. The 36-acre ranch in Spicewood, outside of Austin, features a 5,149‑square‑foot home with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, along with additional cabins and a pool.
Newsweek reached out to Kimberly Van Der Beck and Mehcad Brooks for comment via Instagram.
News of the purchase prompted criticism from some social media users, who questioned why the family was seeking public donations while owning such a property. “This doesn’t sit right with me. Not at all. Sure, I get it. But thousands of people around the world face this exact situation every day and deal with the struggle. They don’t get $2.5 million. It’s just weird. He had to have had life insurance… and residual checks…” one Threads user wrote in a post that has received 135,000 views.
Actor Mehcad Brooks, a close friend of Van Der Beek, pushed back forcefully against the criticism. “I am one of the Van Der Beek’s closet friends and the headlines are fake AF [as f***] you have no idea wtf you’re talking about. You have no idea the pain they went through,” he wrote. “It’s ok to stfu [shut the f*** up] when you can’t know what the f*** you’re talking about. It’s ok not to try to seek attention off of other people’s suffering or the generosity in response to it. Because James touched them for decades. It’s ok for you to stay quiet in the face of blind stupidity, meanness and lack of empathy. But maybe you’re not okay.”
A representative for the family clarified the circumstances around the ranch purchase with People on February 14. “James secured down payment for the Texas ranch for the family with the help of friends through a trust so they could shift from rent to mortgage,” the rep told the publication.
