Filmmaker Steven Spielberg and Dominican-born actress Zoe Saldaña are among the celebrities who have financially supported the family fund of James Van Der Beek, who died on Wednesday, February 11 at the age of 48 after suffering from colon cancer.
The ‘Avatar’ actress spearheaded the initiative with a donation of $2,500 a month for the American actor’s wife and six children, Page Six reported.
Spielberg donates to Van Der Beek
Spielberg, the favorite filmmaker of Dawson Leery, the character who catapulted Van Der Beek to fame in the teen series ‘Dawson’s Creek’, is also among the contributors along with his wife, with a fee amounting to $25,000.
Among the celebrities who supported the family to the GoFundMe fund, which was opened by Van Der Beek’s friends after his death and whose amount already exceeds $2.5 million, are also ‘Wicked’ director Jon M. Chu, Derek Hough, Busy Philipps or Jenna Dewan, among others.
The account was opened hours after the actor’s death was announced to provide support to the family, who are facing a critical situation due to the high costs of medical care for the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ star as he battles colon cancer.
The money raised “will help cover basic expenses, pay bills and support the children’s education,” the page reads.
The actor’s younger brother, Jared Van Der Beek, thanked in a statement the gestures of solidarity after his death, which extend to personalities such as Reese Witherspoon or his co-star Katie Holmes.
“It has been wonderful to read and see how he touched so many lives, not because of something he did, but because of who he was. He shared with an open heart and with his wise soul. As painful as this deep pain is, the healing has already begun with all the outpouring of love, prayers and support,” the brother wrote on Instagram.
Van Der Beek began collaborating last year with a web project to sell memorabilia from the series that catapulted him to fame, including costumes and set design, in an attempt to pay off expensive medical bills for his cancer treatment.
The actor revealed in November 2024 that he was suffering from colorectal cancer.
From the moment she made her diagnosis known, she used her platform to raise awareness of her disease.
Born in Connecticut, Van Der Beek famously played the lead role in the teen drama ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ which aired from 1998 to 2003.
Recently, he had special appearances in an episode of ‘Walker’ and in Tubi’s film ‘Sidelined: The QB and Me’.
Filed under: Spielberg donates to Van Der Beek
With information from EFE
