JAWS director Steven Spielberg donates $25,000 to James Van Der Beek GoFundMe

Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, have donated $25,000 (£21,000) to the $2m (£1.6m) GoFundMe fund established for late James Van Der Beek.

The actor died this week at the age of 48, leaving behind his wife Kimberly and their six children. The fundraiser created to support his family has now exceeded its $2m target.

Another Academy Award winner, actress Zoe Saldaña, pledged $2,500 (£2,108) per month, according to The Hollywood Reporter, while Wicked: For Good director Jon M Chu contributed $10,000 (£8,432).

A statement issued by Friends of the Van Der Beek family, who organised the campaign, thanked donors “from the bottom of our hearts for showing up for James and his beautiful family”. It continued: “Your kindness has meant more than we can put into words.

“In the middle of deep grief, your support has been a light. It reminds us that love is real, that community is strong, and that James's spirit continues to bring people together.”

Van Der Beek was best known for playing the title character in the US teen drama Dawson's Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003.

Although he and Spielberg never collaborated on a film or television project, his character Dawson famously displayed posters of his filmmaking idol’s work on his bedroom walls, including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Schindler's List.

Spielberg delighted fans at last year’s Dawson’s Creek cast reunion by sending a surprise video message to the actor.

“Dawson, you made it,” the director said. “Maybe someday, I will get to have a Dawson's closet.”

Van Der Beek died on Wednesday following a battle with bowel cancer. He revealed in November 2024 that he had “been privately dealing with this diagnosis” since August 2023.

The crowdfunding page sought financial assistance after mounting medical bills left the family “out of funds”.

The family’s statement added: “Right now, the family is taking time to mourn and be with one another”, concluding: “Thank you for honoring his life with compassion, generosity, and love.”