James Van Der Beek’s passing has been heartbreaking for fans and friends alike. But recently, his family has faced criticism over a GoFundMe set up to support them. Some people questioned why they would accept donations after buying a $4.8 million ranch in Texas just weeks before James died.
One of his closest friends, actor Mehcad Brooks, stepped in to set the record straight. On social media, he responded to a comment criticizing the family. The user had shared a headline about the ranch and said it “doesn’t sit right” that they were asking for money.
Brooks didn’t hold back. He wrote, “I am one of the Van Der Beek’s closest friends, and the headlines are fake. You have no idea what you’re talking about. You have no idea the pain they went through. Sometimes it’s better to just stay quiet.”
He added that seeking attention from someone else’s suffering is wrong. “James touched their lives for decades,” Brooks said. “Judging them without knowing is not okay. Just step back and have some empathy.”
James passed away on February 11 at 48 after battling stage 3 colorectal cancer. He passed leaving his wife Kimberly and their six children behind. In 2020, the family moved from Los Angeles to Texas and rented a 36-acre property near Austin. The ranch they purchased in January was secured with help from friends through a trust, allowing them to shift from renting to owning their home.
The GoFundMe has raised nearly $2.7 million so far. The donations are going toward daily living expenses, bills, and the children’s education. James’s medical treatments and long fight with cancer left the family in a difficult financial situation.
Even Hollywood stars have pitched in. Steven Spielberg, Zoe Saldaña, Derek Hough, and Jon M. Chu are among those who have donated to help the family.
James had also spoken about how little he earned from Dawson’s Creek residuals. He said in a 2012 interview, “There was no residual money. I was 20. It was a bad contract. I saw almost nothing from that.” This explains why the family needs help, even after his success.
Before he passed, James auctioned off memorabilia from his famous roles in Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues to help cover medical costs. He told PEOPLE that parting with the items was emotional, but he wanted to make sure his family was supported.
Brooks’s defense reminds everyone that there’s more to the story than headlines. Judging from the outside doesn’t show the struggles, sacrifices, and love that this family has gone through. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step back and have empathy.
