GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek’s family raises huge sum for Dawson’s Creek actor’s wife and six children

Celebrities and fans have donated a staggering amount to the family of late actor James Van Der Beek after it was revealed they were under “significant financial strain”.

The Dawson’s Creek actor died aged 48 on Wednesday after a long battle with colorectal cancer, leaving behind his wife Kimberly and six children, aged between four and 15 years old.

Within hours of his death being announced, a GoFundMe fundraiser was launched on behalf of the family which is said to be “out of funds”.

“Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care,” a statement on the page reads.

“In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future.

“The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds.”

The money is set to help the family “stay in their home” and cover “essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education”.

By Thursday morning (WA time), the fundraiser had far surpassed its target of $1.5m USD and was close to $2 million US — the equivalent of $2.8m Australian dollars. The donations ranged from $5 to a staggering $30,000.

“Growing up in my teen bedroom all the way in Australia I would go to sleep and wake up with a Dawson’s Creek poster on my wall,” the fan wrote.

“Dawson’s Creek made the teenage years during the 90’s/00’s bearable. It is most likely why this loss hurts so much even in not knowing James personally.”

Van Der Beek had been open about his struggles during his cancer battle, using his social media pages to reveal his love for his family and struggles as a father with a terminal illness.

James and Kimberly married in 2010 and share Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4.

“I’m sorry there have been spells where I couldn’t be the father I would want to be for you… where I was too weak to pick you up, throw you around, or even put you to bed… but know that watching you reveal yourself to us has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” he wrote about his youngest child.