James Van Der Beek’s Final Days at His Austin Ranch Laid Bare by Celebrity Friends—as Family’s GoFundMe Exceeds $1.5 Million

"Dawson's Creek" star James Van Der Beek spent his final days before his death surrounded by his closest family and friends at his Austin, TX, ranch, some of his nearest and dearest have revealed.

The death of the beloved actor, who revealed at the end of 2024 that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, was revealed by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, in a heartbreaking social media post on Feb. 11, hours before a GoFundMe was launched to help the widow and her children cope with the sky-high cost of the star's medical bills.

That fundraiser has now surpassed its $1.5 million goal, with donations pouring in from across the country, including from the likes of President Donald Trump's former wife, Marla Maples, and filmmaker Jonathan Chu.

When revealing the news about her husband's death, Kimberly asked for "peaceful privacy" for her family and the couple's six children.

"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," Kimberly wrote in an Instagram post. "He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.

"There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."

In the wake of Van Der Beek's death, a number of his celebrity friends shared their grief in online tributes posted in honor of the actor, with several of them revealing they had traveled to his Austin home in order to be by his side when he passed.

"Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star Alfonso Ribeiro, who is godfather to the Van Der Beeks' daughter, wrote in the comments section of Kimberly's post, "Lucky I got to be there to say goodbye."

Riberio added that he is "so broken right now."

"He was my true friend brother and life guide. I was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer. His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride. The highs when it looked like he had it beat to the breaking lows of it coming back. I’ve learned so much from James," he said.

"I will forever be in debt for all they’ve given me and my family. He will live forever in my heart. I will always be there for their children. I will always hold my role as Gwen’s Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life.

"I love you James and know I have a guardian angel watching over me. Being able to say goodbye this weekend will always live with me. RIP my brother. RIP."

"Desperate Housewives" actor Mehcad Brooks also penned, "Being there with you these past days has been the greatest honor of my life," Brooks wrote in the comments section. "Until we meet again my beautiful brother."

In a video posted on Instagram, he added "one of the greatest honors of my life was that I got to be there last four or five days, every day" with James.

Brooks revealed that he was at his friend's Texas ranch to "hold his hand, and pray with him, and tell him jokes, and tell him how much I love him, and sing to him, and join in on the energy work and literally just watch this man handle death like a king."

WWE star Stacy Keibler also revealed that she was at the actor's side in the days leading up to his death, even sharing an image of the pair, which saw James sitting in a wheelchair staring out at the sunset.

"Spending these final days with you has been a true gift from God. I have never been so present in my life. When you know time is sacred, you don’t waste a single breath. You don’t rush. You don’t scroll. You don’t worry about tomorrow. You sit. You listen. You hold hands. You watch the sky change colors and you let it change you too," she wrote.

"In these past days, you taught me more about being present than any book ever could. You showed me what it looks like to trust God’s plan, even when it breaks your heart. Especially when it breaks your heart."

"The other night [we] watched the sunset together as you shared your wisdom, your hopes, and the promises we made to each other.

"We talked about how this world can feel upside down…and how maybe heaven needs your spirit now to help steady us down here. And just as the sun slipped away, a shooting star crossed the sky…as if to remind us that none of this is random," Keibler wrote.

The athlete went on to brand the actor a "gift," "incredible husband," and an "extraordinary dad" to the six children he shares with Kimberly.

"It has been an honor to stand beside your family in these sacred moments.

"You have given this world so many gifts. Your presence was a bright light in my life, and in so many others. And while your physical body may no longer be here, I know your spirit is doing big things. I feel it already. We may have lost a good one here on earth… but heaven gained something extraordinary," she added.

Designer Erin Fetherston also said that she was able to visit James in his final days, penning, "What an honor it was to have a seat at your table and to call you a best friend. The space you leave behind can never be filled, but we will do our best to shower your beautiful family with love and remember to keep dancing in your honor — because you always knew the importance of joy. We love you. Always."

"Dawson's Creek" costar Katie Holmes also honored the actor with a heartfelt tribute, noting that his death was "a lot to process."

"I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey. He is beloved. Kimberly, we love you and will be here always for you and your beautiful children.

"James, thank you. To share a space with your imagination is sacred — breathing the same air in the land of make believe and trusting that each other's hearts are safe in their expression.

She continued, "These are some of the memories, along with laughter, conversations about life, James Taylor songs — adventures of a unique youth.

"An appreciation for life with the integrity that life is art — creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children — the journey of a hero," she added.

At the end of her touching message, she addressed the actor's wife, noting, "We are here for you always, and will always be there to shower you with love and compassion."

James, who shared six children with his wife, spent much of his time in the wake of his diagnosis undergoing treatment at his family's sprawling ranch in Austin, having moved to the property from Los Angeles in 2020.

Soon after revealing the news of her husband's death, Kimberly shared that her friends had launched a GoFundMe asking for donations to help her family cover the staggering cost of James' medical bills, admitting that she is currently "working hard to stay in their home."

The GoFundMe has thus far raised more than $1,503,000 out of its $1,500,000 goal.

"Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care," the page, which lists Kimberly as the beneficiary, reads.

"In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds.

"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 support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead."

At the time of his diagnosis, the actor told People that he had been dealing with his diagnosis "privately" with the support of his loved ones, explaining that he was "feeling good" despite his health struggles.

At the time, he lifted the lid on his cancer fight—while also recalling how he broke the news of his diagnosis to Kimberly and their six children: Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 3.

The actor's diagnosis came 26 years after he first shot to fame while starring as the titular character in the hit series "Dawson's Creek," which ran from 1998 to 2003. James went on to star in a variety of other series, including "Varsity Blues" and "CSI: Cyber."

He played a fictionalized version of himself in the show "Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23."

The actor turned his back on the traditional A-lister lifestyle, eschewing the trappings of Los Angeles fame in favor of a quieter life on a ranch in Texas.

The actor and his family moved to their Austin ranch in 2020 to find more "space" and a "connection to nature," something that he wanted his six children to experience away from the bright lights of Los Angeles.