James Van Der Beek's Friends Helped Him Purchased $4.8M Home Just One Month Before His Death
- - James Van Der Beek's Friends Helped Him Purchased $4.8M Home Just One Month Before His Death
Jane LaCroixFebruary 15, 2026 at 11:23 PM
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Photo by Ray Tamarra/GC Images
James Van Der Beek made a major life decision just weeks before his death.
The Dawson’s Creek alum officially purchased the Texas ranch he had been renting with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children, closing on the property on January 9 for $4.76 million, according to Realtor.com.
The off-market deal secured the Austin-area home the family had been living in since 2020. Just over a month later, on February 11, Van Der Beek died at age 48 following a years-long battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
In the days after his passing, friends organized a GoFundMe to support Kimberly and the couple’s children. The campaign quickly gained traction, raising more than $2.6 million from nearly 50,000 donors. But the fundraiser also sparked online criticism, with some questioning why financial help was needed given Van Der Beek’s successful acting career and recent multimillion-dollar home purchase.
His representative addressed those concerns directly. “James secured down payment for the Texas ranch for the family with the help of friends through a trust so they could shift from rent to mortgage,” the rep told Page Six on Saturday.
The conversation intensified when it was revealed that Steven Spielbergand his wife, Kate Capshaw, donated $25,000 to the fundraiser. The contribution was significant—but not everyone saw it that way.
“Steven Spielberg donating $25k is like me donating $25,” one user wrote on X. Another added, “$25k to SS is like finding a couple of quid down the back of the sofa.”
READ MORE: Steven Spielberg Called ‘Cheapskate’ For Donation to James Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe
On Threads, a commenter said, “Steven Spielberg donated $25,000. That’s still not a lot,” while another argued, “If I have the money that Steven Spielberg has I will donate easily 2 million in a lump sum.”
At the same time, others defended the filmmaker, noting his longstanding connection to Van Der Beek through Dawson’s Creek, where the actor’s character famously idolized Spielberg. Supporters called the gesture meaningful regardless of the amount, pointing out that the fundraiser’s rapid growth reflects broad community backing.
This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
