The organizers of a GoFundMe marketing campaign to assist James Van Der Beek’s household have supplied an replace.
“Thanks from the underside of our hearts for displaying up for James and his stunning household,” learn an replace shared by “Mates of the Van Der Beek Household” on Friday, February 13. “Your kindness has meant greater than we will put into phrases. In the course of deep grief, your assist has been a light-weight. It reminds us that love is actual, that neighborhood is robust, and that James’s spirit continues to carry individuals collectively.”
Van Der Beek died on Wednesday, February 11on the age of 48, following a stage III battle with colorectal most cancers.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek handed peacefully this morning. He met his remaining days with braveness, religion and beauty,” a social media assertion learn. “There’s a lot to share relating to his needs, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. These days will come. For now we ask for peaceable privateness as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother and good friend.”
James is survived by his spouse of practically 16 years, Kimberly Van Der Beekand their six kids. A bunch of mates subsequently launched a GoFundMe marketing campaign to cowl James’ medical payments and to permit his household to “keep of their residence.”
“Proper now, the household is taking time to mourn and be with each other,” Friday’s replace added. “We kindly ask members of the media and the general public to provide them area and privateness as they stroll via this painful season. Your respect and understanding will give them the room they should heal.”
The assertion additional requested supporters to maintain Kimberly, 44, and James’ family members “in your ideas and prayers.”
“Thanks for honoring his life with compassion, generosity and love,” the assertion concluded.
The fundraiser has since raised over $2 million in assist of Kimberly and the youngsters, together with a $25,000 donation from Steven Spielberg and his spouse, Kate Capshaw. Spielberg was notably Dawson Leery’s favourite filmmaker on Dawson’s Creek. (James starred because the titular teen, an aspiring filmmaker, on Dawson’s Creek from 1998 to 2003.)
“Dawson’s bed room was type of a temple to Spielberg, and so I needed to write a letter to him as a result of he retains the rights to all that stuff,” present creator Kevin Williamson informed Leisure Weekly in 2018. “I used to be like, ‘Please, Mr. Spielberg, you don’t know me, however I used to be this child. I had this bed room. I had all of your posters in my bed room. Can I please current Dawson the way in which that he actually was?’ It was actually fascinating, he wrote again and he wrote the loveliest response.”
Williamson, 60, defined that Spielberg agreed to the request, as long as Dawson’s Creek didn’t point out Spielberg’s spouse and youngsters.
“‘Simply preserve it to me, and you are able to do no matter you need,’” Williamson recalled of the letter. “I used to be like, ‘Thanks, thanks, thanks.’”
James starred on Dawson’s Creek alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams and Busy Phillippsall of whom attended a stay pilot studying in 2025 meant to assist James’ most cancers battle. Spielberg, for his half, despatched a particular video message.
“Dawson, you made it,” Spielberg mentioned in prerecorded footage from the New York Metropolis occasion. “Possibly sometime, I’ll get to have a Dawson’s closet.”
James was unable to attend the reunion resulting from a abdomen bug.

