Alyssa Milano Defends GoFundMe For Dane & Van Der Beek

Alyssa Milano is coming to the protection of late fellow actors who’ve just lately raised huge quantities of cash attributable to GoFundMe fundraisers set as much as assist the households they left behind.

Amid the backlash acquired from the GoFundMe accounts arrange for each Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek, Milano defined why she believes there isn’t a hurt in followers honoring their recollections in a financial approach.

Taking to Substackthe legendary actress expressed her ideas on honoring the lives of Dane and Van Der Beek, who each just lately handed away attributable to ALS and most cancers, respectively.

“When buddies of Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek organized GoFundMe campaigns for his or her households, the backlash was swift and predictable,” Milano’s submit started. “Remark sections crammed with variations of the identical accusation: Why are we giving cash to elites? Aren’t they wealthy? Isn’t this absurd?”

“There’s a mythology about actors that lingers from one other period, one constructed on twenty-two-episode seasons, long-term community contracts, DVD gross sales, and syndication checks that arrived for many years,” she continued.

“In that mannequin, a success present may present regular employment for a lot of the 12 months and residuals that supplied actual monetary safety between jobs. That system formed the general public’s understanding of what a “profitable” actor should earn. However that system has largely disappeared,” Milano defined.

“A recognizable face from a beloved present fifteen years in the past doesn’t assure everlasting wealth,” Milano wrote. “The leisure business is cyclical and unpredictable. Revenue arrives in bursts, adopted by lengthy stretches of ready. Medical insurance will depend on assembly earnings thresholds.”

The “Who’s The Boss” star continued, detailing the inconsistencies of performing and wage breakdowns.

”Brokers, managers, and legal professionals take percentages. Households depend on consistency in a occupation constructed on inconsistency. Add a severe well being analysis into that equation and it’s not possible to remain afloat. Medical prices escalate. Incomes capability adjustments. Time turns into much less versatile,” her submit learn.

“The extra revealing query isn’t why anybody would give, however why generosity towards somebody recognizable provokes such suspicion. Compassion mustn’t have a way check,” the actress shared.

Milano ended her ideas, including, “That shouldn’t be controversial. It needs to be a reminder.”

A GoFundMe was created for Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart’s two daughters, Billie, 15, and Geraldine, 13, following his demise on February 19.

The fundraiser, which thus far has raised virtually all of its $500,000 purpose, acknowledged the intent behind the cash.

“As his sickness progressed way more shortly than anybody may have imagined, Eric’s buddies have come collectively to create this GoFundMe to help his ladies and their future wants,” the fundraiser reads.

“Any contribution, regardless of the dimensions, will assist present stability throughout this extremely tough time and sooner or later for Eric’s great daughters.”

“Right here we go once more… when you completely should give away your cash, donate on to ALS analysis,” a Reddit consumer wrote relating to the GoFundMe for Dane. “His buddies can “afford” to present his daughters cash. They don’t want his followers to do it,” one other shared.

Some Redditors additionally identified Dane’s profitable performing profession, which netted him thousands and thousands, particularly on “Gray’s Anatomy” and the upcoming third season of HBO’s “Euphoria.”

“This man was on community TV for a decade raking in thousands and thousands — what are we doing right here?” a Redditor commented.

“He actually filmed for Euphoria when he was sick and it hasn’t even aired but… idk how a lot he makes off that present nevertheless it’s fairly common,” one other consumer wrote. “And Gray’s Anatomy? I really feel for Rebecca and children I actually do nevertheless it’s not like they misplaced a bunch of revenue.”

Per Realtor.comon January 9, 2026, Van Der Beek and his spouse, Kimberly, bought a 36-acre ranch in Texas for $4.76 million.

When information of the multi-million-dollar buy was revealed amid the creation of the GoFundMe for his spouse and 6 kids, many had been outraged, as there was a perception that the property might be bought to financially help Van Der Beek’s household.

The fundraiser, which set an preliminary purpose of $1.5 million, was meant to assist cowl medical payments and different residing bills for his spouse and kids.

“For this reason these GoFundMe efforts are annoying,” one consumer wrote on Reddit. “It is often gullible folks giving celebrities with unhealthy monetary planning their hard-earned cash.”

“In addition they have a $2.5 million residence in Beverly Hills they’re gathering lease on,” one other consumer wrote. “Healthcare within the US is unhealthy, however come on folks, don’t get grifted.”