Van Der Beeks GoFundMe Hits $1.2 Million

's family are being supported by GoFundMe donations after the actor and his family were plunged into financial turmoil before his death at the age of 48.

The Dawson's Creek star died on Wednesday after a two year battle with stage 3 colorectal , survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven and Jeremiah, four.

As Kimberly shared the news of her husband's death, she revealed that friends had created the GoFundMe page with the goal of raising funds to support the late actor's children. 

Fans and friends have so far raised over $1.2million in just seven hours. 

James spoke honestly about his family's financial woes in social media posts about his treatment, explaining how he had been left unable to work and provide for his wife and children during his gruelling treatment. 

His extensive medical bills and living costs contributed to the hardship as James moved from the family's remote Texas ranch, which they bought in 2020 after years living in Los Angeles, to an apartment closer to the hospital during treatment.

In December James, also known for his roles in Varsity Blues, One Tree Hill and CSI: Cyber, was forced to sell off memorabilia from the set of Dawson's Creek, bringing in $47,000.  

The necklace that his character, Dawson Leery, famously gifted Joey (played by Katie Holmes) went for $26,628. 

A collection of decorations from Dawson's bedroom, including an Indiana Jones model kit and an ET doll, sold for $5,991, while a chairback went for $2,663.

'I've been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them,' Van Der Beek told People magazine at the time of the auction.

'And with all of the recent unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it's clear that the time is now.'

He told the outlet that he did 'have some nostalgia tugging at me' as he parted ways with the physical memories, but added that it felt good to share them 'with those who have supported my work over the years'.

A year previously the actor to help pay for his cancer treatments - and those of other patients. 

Meanwhile in September 2025 James' co-stars rallied around him, organising a one-night charity event to help the star. 

Organised by Jame' Dawson's Creek love interest  alongside Katie Holmes and , the cast reuited for a read through of their show's pilot episode to raise funds for James' treatment and the nonprofit F Cancer.

James was due to appear at event but had to pull out of the reunion at the last minute due to his ill health.  

In January, just weeks before James' death, Cobra Kai actor Paul Walter Hauser announced that he would be raising funds to aid the star's medical bills. It is not known if they were friends.

'James Van Der Beek started selling his old stuff from his past acting jobs to pay for his colorectal cancer treatments, and it didn't sit well with me,' Hauser, 39, wrote on Instagram. 'I am an actor and father of [three] children, and I want them inheriting my trinkets/wardrobe/memorabilia someday.

'I wouldn't want to auction off a Stingray shirt or Marvel script to make ends meet for treatment.'

The actor wrote that he also plans to auction off 'personal items and autographs' from some of his celebrity friends, including Josh Gad, Becky Lynch, Jimmy Kimmel and 'many many more'.

Hauser, who is working with Cameo to help raise the funds, vowed on Wednesday to continue 'drumming up some money' to support the Van Der Beek family.

He wrote: 'Thanks for the body of work and for being one of the good guys.'

James 

The drama ran for six seasons on the WB Network between 1998 and 2003 and also launched the careers of , , and .

James did manage to shoot one final role during his treatment, filming scenes for a supporting role in Elle, which is based on the movie franchise Legally Blonde which starred Reese Witherspoon.

The series - which is being produced by Witherspoon - is a prequel starring Lexi Minetree as a young Elle Woods.

James will appear as Dean Wilson, a mayoral candidate and school district superintendent. He shot his scenes in May 2025. The series is set to premiere on Prime Video on July 1, 2026.