Film and Media

Van Der Beek, fundraising for 'Dawson's' family: $25,000 from Steven Spielberg

The actor had auctioned off set memorabilia to pay his medical bills. More than 2 million post-mortem donations from famous faces and anonymous benefactors

by Giulia Riva

12 February 2026

Il regista Steven Spielberg partecipa al pranzo dei candidati alla 98ª edizione degli Oscar a Beverly Hills, California, Stati Uniti, il 10 febbraio 2026. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

In James Van Der Beek's Instagram profile - pinned at the top, so that he doesn't get lost in the shuffle - there is a video from March 2025, recorded on the occasion of his 48th birthday: it is entitled "What Cancer Taught Me". It is among the most shared on social media these hours, following the announcement of the actor's death, who passed away in the early hours of Wednesday 11 February in Austin, Texas, two and a half years after being diagnosed with colon cancer.

In the video Van Der Beek says that for years in his youth, when asked "who am I?" he answered by calling himself - not always with particular satisfaction - "an actor". Growing up, the most satisfying answer became "a husband", then "a father" and also "a breadwinner" who takes care of his family and his land, because together with his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek, he gave birth to 6 children: Olivia - the eldest, aged 15 - Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah, the youngest, aged 4. Van Der Beek, after months of treatment to try to stem the cancer, in the video bares his soul and asks himself who he is now, when the disease imposes a constant coming and going from the hospital and no longer allows him to work or be at home for his children or his wife. The answer he gives and chooses to share with those who follow him is 'I am worthy of God's love, so are you. And if God is a concept that causes you problems, take it away, but you are worthy of love'.

It is a message echoed by many fans, who mourn a piece of their adolescence with his death - he was the very blond Dawson Leery, the face and protagonist of the successful US series Dawson's Creek, which between 1998 and 2003, in six seasons, brought to the small screen young talents who still animate the world of cinema today, such as Michelle Williams and Katie Holmes - but also by various colleagues. There are those who shared fame with Van Der Beek as we entered the new millennium - "I grew up with him, he was one of the good guys," wrote Sarah Michelle Gellar, who was starring in Buffy the Vampire Slayer in those years - but also those who, like Viola Davis, simply mourn him because he was a friend. "What a wonderful lesson, and what a wonderful legacy you leave to your children, your family, all of us," the Oscar-winning actress for Barriere in 2017 shared via social.

Medical expenses and economic problems

Precisely the legacy, now that Van Der Beek is gone, is a knot that worries the family. The actor never made a secret of the fact that his cancer treatments, besides being extremely demanding on his body and mind, were also expensive. So much so that in the last months of his life he had decided to auction off some memorabilia from his career on set in order to meet the medical expenses.

The weekly magazine People in November last year reported on a deal between Van Der Beek and the auction house Propstore to offer fans a selection of iconic items related to his most famous roles. Among them was the necklace Dawson gives to Joey for his prom in the series, an item estimated to be worth between $26,400 and $52,800. Also up for auction was the outfit worn by Van Der Beek the first time he dressed as Dawson, with an estimated value of $4,000.

Before that, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Varsity Blues - a 1999 sports comedy starring the actor alongside Paul Walker and John Voight - Van Der Beek had sold autographed merchandise, donating the proceeds to families affected by cancer, including his own.

"I have guarded these treasures for years, waiting for the right moment. With the recent unexpected turns in life, it is clear that it is time. There is nostalgia in letting them go, but it is good for me to share them with those who have supported my work over time," he explained to the audience.

Between familiar faces and anonymous benefactors

After the announcement of the death, some friends of James and Kimberly Van Der Beek launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe to meet the family's needs. "In the aftermath of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. The costs of James' medical treatment and long battle with cancer have left the family without financial resources. They are doing everything they can to remain in their home and to ensure the children can continue their studies and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time. The support of friends, family and the community will be a tremendous help as they face the journey ahead,' reads the dedicated page.

"Your generosity will help cover essential daily living expenses, pay bills and support the children's education. Every donation, regardless of the amount, will help Kimberly and her family regain hope and security as they rebuild their lives. Thank you for considering a contribution to support them," the announcement continues.

A call to which in just a few hours almost 45,000 people have already responded. Some contribute $10 and some - like US director Steven Spielberg with wife Kate Capshaw - $25,000. "Thank you for being such an important part of my childhood. My heart goes out to the family at this time. Your memory will live on forever," writes Jennifer, offering $50.

"James prompted my father to undergo the screening after putting it off for a few years. I hope the message he has spread over the last few years has the same effect on all dads aged 45 and over," says Lucas, who adds $20. "As a 48-year-old peer, born in 1977 and a father myself, this news affects me deeply in many ways. I pray for his family," John adds.

There were many, many, anonymous donations, even larger sums than the one made available by Spielberg. Among the most conspicuous and signed donations so far is $50,000 from an overseas brand specialising in men's skincare. In two days or so, the amount raised broke through the $2 million ceiling.