James Van Der Beek’s Wife and 6 Kids Left Broke After His Death — GoFundMe Raises More Than $1.5 Million in 24 Hours

Photo provided courtesy of GoFundMe.

When beloved actor James Van Der Beek passed away Wednesday, his family was left in dire financial straits from the costs of his cancer treatments — but a GoFundMe set up to help support his wife and six children has already raised more than $1.5 million in less than 24 hours.

Van Der Beek, 48, got his big break in 1997 when he was cast in the lead role of Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek, and also had notable roles in television shows like Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23 and CSI: Cyber, as a competitor on Dancing with the Stars and The Masked Singer, and in films including Scary Movie, Varsity Blues, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and The Rules of Attraction.

He is survived by his wife of fifteen years, Kimberly, and their six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.

In 2024, Van Der Beek shared that he had Stage 3 colorectal cancer. Last November, he auctioned off memorabilia from his roles on Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues to raise funds for the costs of his ongoing medical treatments, including wardrobe items he wore, the necklace his character Dawson gave Katie Holmes’ Joey Potter for prom, and the cleats his quarterback character Mox wore during filming.

His Dawson’s Creek casemates also reunited for a reading of the pilot episode in September that raised money for the F*** Cancer charity and to help for his care as well. Van Der Beek was originally scheduled to attend but had to cancel due to a stomach virus; Hamilton’s Lin Manuel Miranda stepped in as his “understudy.”

The money raised by those two fundraisers has apparently run out, according to a GoFundMe that was posted on Wednesday to benefit Van Der Beek’s wife and children.

Titled “Support for James Van Der Beek’s Family,” the GoFundMe’s caption read:

James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him. After a long and courageous battle with cancer, James passed away on February 11, 2026 leaving behind his devoted wife, Kimberly, and their six wonderful children. 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.

In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the 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. 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. The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead.

Your generosity will help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Kimberly and her family find hope and security as they rebuild their lives. Thank you for considering a gift to support them.

In less than 24 hours, the GoFundMe has surpassed its original goal of $1.5 million, with donations coming from nearly 30,000 donors. Mediaite has verified the authenticity of the page with a representative for the site.

Read the GoFundMe page here.

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