James Van Der Beek’s friends showed immense support for him and his family in the weeks leading up to his passing on February 11, at the age of 48.
The actor had been fighting colorectal cancer before his death, having revealed his diagnosis in 2024.
Many celebrities have paid tribute to Van Der Beek following his untimely death, including his Dawson’s Creek co-star Katie Holmes.
In her heartfelt tribute, she expressed: “I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it.”
In addition, some of his close friends shared photos of their time with Van Der Beek in the days preceding his death.
Van Der Beek spent his final years at his ranch in Austin, Texas, alongside his wife Kimberly and their six children: daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, and Gwendolyn, 7, and sons Joshua, 13, and four-year-old Jeremiah.
The family moved to the ranch from Beverly Hills in 2020 and originally rented their home. In Van Der Beek’s final weeks, he made the decision to purchase the property.
It is reported that his friends assisted him by establishing a trust for the Varsity Blues star, as his representative confirmed to People.
“James secured a 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,” they informed the outlet.
According to Realtor.com, the ranch was acquired for an impressive $4.8 million via a Limited Liability Company (LLC), managed by a California attorney.
It is believed the 36-acre ranch was purchased off-market as there is no public listing record prior to the Van Der Beeks’ purchase.
The property features a main house, several cabins, a pool, and a backyard offering views of the Pedernales River.
In the wake of Van Der Beek’s death, a GoFundMe page was set up to help cover the late actor’s medical expenses, as his family faces ‘significant financial strain’.
At the time of writing, an impressive $2.6 million had been collected for Kimberly and the children, including $25,000 from renowned director Stephen Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw.
In an update posted on February 12, the page creator expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for showing up for James and his beautiful family,” they wrote.
“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.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].