James Van Der Beek purchased the multimillion-dollar Texas ranch he was renting prior to his death.
According to Realtor.com, the “Dawson’s Creek” star — who, along with his wife, Kimberly, and their children, began renting the sprawling property in 2020 — officially purchased the Austin area ranch for $4.76 million on Jan. 9 in what appears to have been an off-market deal.
The “Varsity Blues” star died on Feb. 11 after a years-long battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Immediately following the beloved actor’s death at the age of 48, friends set up a GoFundMe, which as of Saturday has since pulled in more than $2.5 million in donations.
The massively successful GoFundMe has since received some criticism by people who felt the move was unnecessary, given Van Der Beek’s successful career and expensive house purchase.
The late actor’s rep clarified on Saturday, however, that Van Der Beek secured a down payment for the home with help from friends.
“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 People.
Celebrities, meanwhile, took to social media to defend the GoFundMe against trolls questioning the validity of the fundraiser — including Broadway’s Donna Vivino.
“For those attacking James Van Der Beek’s wife for having a [GoFundMe] may I give you some FACTS,” she wrote on Friday.
“1. They do not OWN the farm they live on, they were renting 2. He was not living off residuals.”
While noting the actor’s prior comments about getting “almost nothing” from residuals from “Dawson’s Creek,” she added that, “cancer treatment is effin expensive even WITH insurance.”
“Not everything is what it looks like online,” she concluded the post. “A little context goes a long way.”
“RHOC” alum Braunwyn Windham-Burke publicly responded to Vivino’s comments — as did Deborah Cox. “Our family is drowning in medical debt because of my dad’s cancer, my parents saved, worked hard and had a great retirement … all gone,” Windham-Burke remarked.
Cox replied, “This industry is shameful.”
“Yellowstone” actress Hassie Harrison also replied to Vivino’s post, writing, “Heartbreaking that you even needed to make this post. How can people be so rotten.”
A rep for Van Der Beek did not immediately return Page Six’s request for comment on Saturday.
Meanwhile, A-listers have flooded the GoFundMe with high-value contributions for the late actor’s family since his death on Wednesday.
Among the top donors are Zoe Saldaña, who pledged $2,500 per month to the family, Steven Spielberg, who donated $25,000, and “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu, who donated $10,000.
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