Steven Spielberg Contributes $25,000 to Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe

Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, have contributed to James Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe page, set up to support the late actor’s family. Spielberg donated $25,000 to help Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, and their six children. The fundraising campaign aims to alleviate financial strain caused by high medical expenses.

Van Der Beek, 48, died on Wednesday morning after battling colorectal cancer. He publicly revealed his diagnosis in November 2024, stating that he had been secretly dealing with it since August 2023.

As of Thursday at 3 p.m. PT, donations had exceeded $1.8 million, surpassing the initial goal of $1.5 million. The target had initially started at $550,000, but as donations surged, organisers raised it. Less than a day after the page was launched, contributions had already topped $1 million.

Though Spielberg and Van Der Beek never collaborated directly on any projects, the actor’s character in Dawson’s Creek admired the filmmaker and decorated his room with several of Spielberg’s movie posters. At a recent reunion event for the series in New York, Spielberg surprised fans with a video message, commenting on the show’s impact.

Other notable figures from Hollywood have also donated, including Wicked: For Good director Jon M. Chu, who gave $10,000, and Oscar-winner Zoe Saldana, who pledged $2,500 monthly.

The GoFundMe page emphasizes the challenges Kimberly and her children face following this loss, stating that the support will help them manage living expenses and ensure the children’s education continues as they navigate this difficult period.