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Michelle Williams Honors James Van Der Beek as Fund Nears $2.7 Million

Donations and tributes underscore the financial toll of his cancer care.

Overview

  • At the 32nd Annual Actor Awards in Los Angeles, Michelle Williams made her first public appearance since his death and said she is constantly thinking of him and his family.
  • The GoFundMe for Kimberly Van Der Beek and their six children had raised about $2.7 million by March 2, with named contributions from Steven Spielberg ($25,000), Zoe Saldaña ($2,500 monthly) and Jon M. Chu ($10,000).
  • Reporting cited from The Hollywood Reporter says he lived modestly on a rented ranch near Austin and devoted much of his earnings to expensive treatments, including alternative therapies not covered by insurance, even auctioning memorabilia such as an E.T. prop for $6,000.
  • Series creator Kevin Williamson told Esquire that Van Der Beek repeatedly explored a Dawson’s Creek revival and once hoped to write it himself, calling his concept a “beautiful plan” that ultimately did not move forward.
  • Jamie-Lynn Sigler offered a public remembrance on her podcast, praising Van Der Beek’s dedication to his family and craft and noting a memorial gathering at the family home.