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After Kimberly Van Der Beek shared the devastating news of her husband’s death, she returned to Instagram with a quiet, music-filled tribute that drew fans and fellow artists into a collective moment of remembrance.
Acoustic cover revives the Dawson’s Creek theme
Kimberly reposted an intimate rendition of Paula Cole’s hit “I Don’t Want To Wait.” The cover was performed by singer-songwriter Alana Springsteen, joined by Sara Bares and Lauren LaRue.
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The short clip, posted as an Instagram Reel, resonated with many who grew up watching the teen drama. Alana Springsteen wrote that the loss landed heavy and asked for prayers for the family.
Paula Cole, who sang the original theme, left a heartfelt response to the cover, saying the performance moved her to tears and thanking the artists for honoring James and his loved ones.
Kimberly reshared the cover to her Instagram Stories, signaling the family’s gratitude for the outpouring of music and memories.
Kimberly’s announcement and request for privacy
Kimberly Van Der Beek shared on social media that her husband, actor James David Van Der Beek, had passed away after battling cancer. She described his final days as marked by courage and faith.
She asked followers and well-wishers for peaceful privacy as the family grieves. The post emphasized his roles as husband, father, son, brother, and friend.
Financial support campaign launched for the family
Friends of the family quickly created a fundraising page to help cover immediate expenses.
- The GoFundMe set an initial goal of $500,000.
- Organizers explained that medical bills and prolonged care had depleted the family’s resources.
Within an hour of the appeal going live, donors had contributed more than $42,000. By the following Friday morning, the campaign had surged past $2 million.
Who the campaign will support
The fundraiser states the money will help cover essential living costs and the children’s needs while the family rebuilds financial stability.
- Olivia, 14
- Joshua, 13
- Annabel, 12
- Emilia, 8
- Gwendolyn, 6
- Jeremiah, 3
The GoFundMe update expressed deep appreciation and said the generosity has been a rare light amid grief. The organizers asked for privacy as the family processes their loss.
High-profile supporters step forward
Celebrities and industry figures donated sizable amounts. Their gifts multiplied the impact of thousands of smaller donations.
- Zoe Saldaña set up a recurring monthly donation of $2,500.
- The director of Wicked contributed $10,000.
- Steven Spielberg added $25,000 to the fund.
These donations joined countless gifts from fans who wanted to help stabilize the family’s finances.
His health battle and previous fundraising steps
James Van Der Beek had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023, according to reports.
During his illness he took steps to raise funds and manage medical costs. He sold personal items and memorabilia tied to his career to help pay for care.
Years earlier, Van Der Beek had spoken about financial realities from his early TV work. He noted that the contract terms on the long-running teen drama meant he received little in residuals at the time.
