Friend of James Van Der Beek Defends Family’s GoFundMe Amid Criticism Over Finances
A close friend of the late James Van Der Beek is pushing back against criticism surrounding the actor’s family launching a GoFundMe campaign following his death, calling the backlash uninformed and insensitive.
Van Der Beek, best known for his roles on Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues, died last week at 48 after battling colorectal cancer. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children. In the days after his passing, the family shared that mounting medical expenses had left them financially strained. Supporters quickly responded: more than $2.6 million has since been raised through the crowdfunding campaign.
The outpouring of donations has not been without scrutiny, with social media users questioning the need for public fundraising since reports surfaced that the family had recently purchased a $4.7 million ranch in Texas. One commenter wrote on Threads that the situation “doesn’t sit right,” arguing that many families face similar medical hardships without access to such large-scale public support.
A representative for Van Der Beek later clarified that the family had been renting the property and that the actor had secured funds for a down payment before his death. The spokesperson emphasized that prolonged medical treatment and associated care costs significantly impacted the family’s finances.
Actor Mehcad Brooks, who described himself as a close friend of Van Der Beek, responded forcefully to online criticism. In a series of posts, Brooks condemned what he characterized as a lack of empathy toward the grieving family.
“You have no idea wtf you’re talking about,” Brooks wrote in one reply. “You have no idea the pain they went through.” He also criticized those questioning the campaign for, in his view, inserting themselves into a private tragedy without full context.
Brooks suggested that public perception often fails to account for the realities of serious illness, particularly the long-term financial strain of cancer treatment. “It’s ok not to try to seek attention off of other people’s suffering or the generosity in response to it,” he added.
Before his death, Van Der Beek had taken steps to help offset medical costs. In December, he auctioned memorabilia from his career, including items connected to Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues, raising nearly $50,000. At the time, he had been candid about his diagnosis, sharing publicly that he had begun treatment more than a year earlier before revealing the news.
The debate surrounding the GoFundMe highlights a broader conversation about medical costs in the United States and the role of crowdfunding in times of crisis. Public figures often attract substantial financial support, prompting criticism from those who note that many families facing similar circumstances do not receive comparable assistance.
Supporters of the Van Der Beek family argue that donations are voluntary expressions of gratitude from fans who felt connected to the actor’s work over decades. Critics counter that celebrity fundraising underscores disparities in who is able to access communal aid.
The family has not directly addressed the online criticism. The GoFundMe page remains active, with supporters continuing to contribute and leave messages honoring the actor’s legacy.
