Overview
- His death on Feb. 11 was announced by his family, who said the Dawson’s Creek actor faced an aggressive colorectal cancer and is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.
- The GoFundMe created to support living expenses and the children’s education surpassed $2 million within roughly a day, with the initial target raised as donations poured in, according to campaign updates and media reports.
- Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw gave $25,000, Zoe Saldana pledged $2,500 monthly, and director Jon M. Chu and manager Guy Oseary each donated $10,000, reflecting a broad industry response.
- Co-stars and peers — including Busy Philipps, Katie Holmes, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jennifer Garner, David Boreanaz and others — shared tributes, while friends urged support for the family’s fundraiser.
- A friend told the Daily Mail that Van Der Beek had entered hospice and stopped curative treatment in his final weeks, and reports note he had earlier sold memorabilia and participated in benefit efforts to offset mounting medical costs.