Steven Spielberg and his wife, actress Kate Capshaw, donated $25,000 to the GoFundMe for James Van Der Beek’s family.
The couple made the sizable donation Thursday, according to the GoFundMe page, which lists Spielberg and Capshaw among the fundraiser’s top donors.
Spielberg has a connection to Van Der Beek — who died Wednesday after a nearly three-year long battle with colorectal cancer — through Van Der Beek’s character in the beloved WB series, “Dawson’s Creek.”
Van Der Beek played Dawson Leery, an aspiring filmmaker who idolized Spielberg.
The “Jurassic Park” director even made a surprise appearance at the “Dawson’s Creek” reunion in September 2025, which Van Der Beek was forced to drop out of due to health issues. Spielberg made a video for the charity event, which was put on in partnership with F Cancer.
“Dawson, you made it,” Spielberg said in the video. “Maybe someday, I will get to have a Dawson’s closet.”
Van Der Beek’s friends set up a GoFundMe Wednesday for his wife, Kimberly, and their six children: Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 3.
The GoFundMe notes that the family is”out of funds” due to costs associated with Van Der Beek’s illness and are facing “an uncertain future.”
“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 GoFundMe’s page reads, sharing that donations will help cover the family’s essential living expenses, pay bills and support the children’s education.
The GoFundMe has since raised over $1.9 million as of Thursday. Celebrities who have donated include Zoe Saldana, who set up a recurring donation of $2,500 a month, as well as Derek Hough, Ricki Lake, Lydia Hearst and Kaley Cuoco.
Kimberly shared Wednesday morning that her husband “passed peacefully” and “met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.
The “Varsity Blues” star’s close friends have since shared their heartbreaking final moments with him, including Alfonso Ribeiro.
The “Dancing With the Stars” host posted a photo of his “last moment” with Van Der Beek, in which he appeared visibly emotional as he cradled Van Der Beek’s head.
“My last moment was making him laugh one last time,” he wrote. “I really miss him already.”
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