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Posted on 02/16/2026 7:01:55 PM PST by nickcarraway
On February 11, Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek died at the age of 48 after a nearly three-year battle with colorectal cancer. In the wake of his death, a GoFundMe has been established to raise money for his wife, Kimberly, and their six children after the cost of his medical care drained their bank account. At first, fans were happy to rally around the family in the midst of their grief, but now that James’ multi-million dollar real estate purchase has been exposed, the tide is turning fast.
The Van Der Beeks’ GoFundMe has already raised more than $2.6 million.
Despite the fact that the fundraiser has been live for less than a week, people have already chipped in well over $2 million to help the family with the aftermath of James’ death.
“Your generosity will help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education,” says the fundraiser. “Every donation, no matter the size, will help Kimberly and her family find hope and security as they rebuild their lives. Thank you for considering a gift to support them.”
James was open about the family’s financial struggles before his death. In November 2025, he began selling his Dawson’s Creek props and memorabilia from the set in order to help fund his treatment.
Then, the news came out that he purchased a Texas ranch a month before he died.
Two days after James’ death, Realtor.com confirmed reports that he had purchased the ranch that he and his family had been renting just one month before he died for $4.76 million. According to the site, the property wasn’t listed and the sale was handled privately through an LLC. The ranch is located right outside of Austin, Texas and boasts 36 acres, a pool, the main house, and multiple cabins — plenty of room for his six children (who are all under the age of 16) to run around.
Realtor.com added that the main house is 5,149 square feet, and has five bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Critics are now calling the family “gross” for raising money.
Now that word has gotten out that James and Kimberly made such a huge purchase weeks before his death, people are feeling much less generous toward the family, as many commented in a Reddit post that discussed the real estate deal.
One commenter said, “I would understand it if all of the houses they own had mortgages that were not paid or that they had to sell all these houses to pay for the treatments but they would need to explain that in the description. Also, did he have no death insurance? With all those kids?”
Others believe the purchase shows that James and Kimberly had been irresponsible. “We can be sad about him dying young and leaving so many kids but we can also agree that he could have gotten a regular a– job years ago,” one person wrote. “And she could have too. They rented a giant piece of land to do what? If being an actor doesn’t give you enough money, then get another job. And stop having kids.”
It’s hard to judge the situation without having full knowledge of the family’s finances — or where the money to purchase the ranch came from. There’s no doubt that this is a difficult time for Kimberly and her kids, so no matter what, they’re likely comforted by the fact that they’ve put down roots.
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Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
Tales like this is why people are hesitant to send cash to gfms or charities - the dogs, the children, the soldiers, the trees, the whales...b/c most of it is stolen one way or another.
mmhmm...maybe. They should have been paying medical expenses and caring for the family, as the ill actor may not have had much coming in, in the way of royalties, etc.
Look, I don’t want to be overly suspicious but when it comes to money, any facts & stories are, almost by default, suspect. My family and probably yours, too, has unsavory histories of family members who...to put it mildly, acted ugly b/c they wanted the money.
I’m sorry, but I have no sympathy whatsoever for anyone who donates money to the family of a formerly high-paid actor and then complains about how said family is spending the money. If you make a donation in a situation like this, you’ve given your money away, and it’s not your business how the family decides to spend the donation. The Van Der Beek family are not a non-profit charity like the Salvation Army or the American Cancer Society or something like that where the donor has some reasonable expectation that the donation is going to be used prudently in line with customary practices of charities. If you give the Van Der Beeks money, then it’s their money and they can do whatever the hell they want with it. Giving money to the Van Der Beeks is no different than handing a $20 bill to a pandhandler on the street. Maybe he’ll buy himself a nutritious meal... or maybe he’ll buy himself a pack of smokes and 20 oz bottle of malt liquor... either way, it’s entirely up to him... and is not your concern.
2.6 million dollars? How many military widows ever got a go-fund-me like that? American’s worship the idiots on tv as though they are family when these jerks would not give you the time of day if they met them on the street. It was him and his wife who had all those kids and there is always welfare. Anyone who gave to this is an idiot. If you want to help someone I am sure you could find someone who deserves it in your own community.
Just the use of GoFUndMe means, contributors can whine all they want, they gave money voluntarily to someone in the public eye, and not even to him, but to make sure his family has a place to live after he died.
36 acres qualifies as a ranch? Pffft
My condolences go out to his family, but he seemed to have misplaced priorities. Maybe he should have focused on making money instead of making kids. Also, he made poor housing choices. Should have lived in a house in town.
If I were an actor or sports figure I would live frugally and plan on a post career job. These are not long lasting careers for most people.
The actor passed on before the GoFundMe was set up. Right?
So, the GoFundMe was not his fault. Someone else started it after he passed on.
That GoFundMe was... surprising. Because he was somewhat wealthy.
And now it comes out they live on a $5 million ranch.
I’ve only donated to 1 person ever in these Go fund me things. That was my boy because I personally know him and his wife, know what happened, and knew they needed help.
Helping a well known celebrity is beyond the pale and is not a fool would donate to “help” them.
You cheap skates can still donate here -—>>> https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-james-van-der-beeks-family
The six lovely children are all blond and pale Vikings. One girl looks like Lagertha. This accounts for some of the anger and hate for their GoScamMe.com fund raising.
Yes. Donations were given willingly and GoFundMe made money off those donations also. If friends of this family secured a mortgage on their rental home… good for them. Sounds like their business, not mine.
Yeah, sure, it’s not that they are rich.
My condolences go out to his family. I am glad that they escaped to Texas, where the kids have a better chance. Their father endured a lot, on his way toward trying to limit a future regret.
Uhmmmm....I would think with that many kids he’d have insurance through SAG
Suckers whining that they are fools.
Reality tops fantasy.
You can’t make this stuff up....
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