Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, are among the latest donors to a fundraising campaign in support of the late James Van Der Beek’s family.
Spielberg, 79, and Capshaw, 72, appear to have donated $25,000, according to the GoFundMe page.
Van Der Beek died on Wednesday, February 11, at the age of 48, following a battle with stage III colorectal cancer.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith and grace,” a social media statement read. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
James is survived by his wife of 16 years, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children. After his death, family friends organized a GoFundMe campaign to support his loved ones. (The fund has since raised more than $1 million.)
“Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care,” the fundraiser’s description read. “In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time.”
The statement added, “Your generosity will help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education. 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.”
Spielberg’s donation is particularly heartfelt considering the director’s connection to Dawson’s Creek. James starred as aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery from 1998 to 2003, with the character often proclaiming his fandom of Spielberg.
“Dawson’s bedroom was sort of a temple to Spielberg, and so I had to write a letter to him because he retains the rights to all that stuff,” show creator Kevin Williamson told Entertainment Weekly in 2018. “I was like, ‘Please, Mr. Spielberg, you don’t know me, but I was this kid. I had this bedroom. I had all your posters in my bedroom. Can I please present Dawson the way that he really was?’ It was really interesting, he wrote back and he wrote the loveliest response.”
Williamson, 60, further revealed that Spielberg graciously allowed him to use all sorts of themed posters and posters, so long as Dawson’s Creek did not mention his wife or children at all.
“‘Just keep it to me, and you can do whatever you want,’” Williamson recalled of Spielberg’s letter. “I was like, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’”
The Dawson’s Creek cast reunited in 2025 for a live reading of the pilot episode in New York City, raising funds for James’ cancer battle. Spielberg even sent a surprise video message.
“Dawson, you made it,” Spielberg said in the prerecorded footage. “Maybe someday, I will get to have a Dawson’s closet.”
James was unable to travel to NYC for the performance due to a stomach bug, though Kimberly, 44, and their children attended in his place.
