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James Van Der Beek's GoFundMe passes $2 million as heartbreaking final photo emerges
Following his sad passing at just 48, fans, including Steven Spielberg, have donated
The GoFundMe for the family of the late James Van Der Beek has exceeded an incredible $2 million in donations.
Bereaved fans, friends and Hollywood stars have been sharing donations to support the Dawson's Creek star's family, as heartbreaking final photos have been shared.
He tragically passed away earlier this week at the age of just 48, leaving behind his wife Kimberly and their six children.
Pictures of the actor's final few days emerged as he spent it in hospice care surrounded by loved ones.
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Actor Alfonso Ribeiro shared a beautiful photo of his 'last moments' with the star before he said goodbye.
Sadly, despite his successful career, the family are said to be left 'out of funds' following his lengthy and expensive cancer treatment, with him previously suggesting he was looking to sell his Dawson's Creek memorabilia.
It took less than 48 hours for the fundraiser to smash the huge goal of $2 million, with the original target set for $550,000, before being raised to $1.5 million - and it just keeps on rising.
As well as friends and family, celebrities including Steven Spielberg have made donations, who generously donated $25,000 to the cause along with his wife Kate Capshaw.
There was also an anonymous $30,000 gift.
Hollywood icon Zoë Saldaña is also donating $2,500 monthly to the family, after she shared a post on Instagram saying "This one hits hard."
One fan wrote: "The massive outpouring of support from fans and a legend like Spielberg proves that James Van Der Beek's legacy as a person far outweighed his fame as an actor."
In Dawson's Creek, Van Der Beek's character wanted to be a filmmaker and regularly expressed his love for Spielberg.
The director recorded a video message for a Dawson's Creek reunion event in September, which Van Der Beek sadly couldn't attend in person.
He appeared on video though, and made an emotional statement: "'I can’t believe I don’t get to hug my cast mates, I wanted to stand on that stage and thank every single person in this theater for being here tonight."
"Now, nobody in their right mind would ever draw a parallel between the two, but one very big similarity between Dawson and the Phantom of the Opera is that both of them were faced with the reality that the woman they loved truly loved somebody else, said, 'Go to him. Go to him now before I change my mind'," he joked.
"Only one resulted in a crying face meme."
Spielberg said: "Dawson, you made it. Maybe someday, I will let to have a Dawson’s closet."
As well as Spielberg and Saldaña, Wicked director Jon Chu also donated $10,000.
Van Der Beek received his diagnosis in August 2023, but decided to go public in November 2024.
The star had been trying to raise awareness about the condition and the symptoms he had suffered with that he mistook for something else before being diagnosed.
At the time of writing, the total raised stands at $2,113,264. You can donate here.
Topics: Cancer, GoFundMe, TV and Film, Celebrity, Health
Jen Thomas