How do you feel about multi-millionaires passing out the hat?

[unicorn]

It hasn't been that long since I posted a string about a GoFundMe page for, I believe it was Mickey Rourke, which had me going "Hmmmm...". At least in this case Mickey Rourke called BS on that (he wasn't the one who set up or OK'd the GoFundMe page), and made sure all monies were returned. I was saddened to hear about the early passing of James van der Beek at the age of 48 with colon cancer. (Public health reminder: the USPSTF strongly [A-level recommendation] advises colon cancer screening starting age 45. Colon cancer screening is by far the most effective cancer screening we have) I was surprised to read, however, that his wife is now claiming poverty, although the man was valued in the millions. She claims that his cancer treatment sent them to poverty. Are we to believe that this man broke the law to avoid health insurance? Proof of health insurance is required when filing income taxes in the US, and one gets find the equivalent of what one would pay for basic coverage if one doesn't at least have that. And no life insurance, either? He had no accountant or financial advisor? And I believe SAG/AFTRA membership comes with pretty good health insurance. I asked AI about his earnings, and he didn't seem impoverished to me. Yet his GoFundMe page has amassed well over a million dollars, and climbing. I suspect the wife may be a scamster. I wonder what the decedent would have thought of this. 

AI Overview

James Van Der Beek’s career earnings and net worth estimates fluctuated, with reports in late 2024 to early 2026 placing his fortune between $3 million and $15 million, driven by acting, producing, and, earlier, a lucrative divorce settlement. Despite his fame, he noted limited, if any, residuals from his breakthrough role in Dawson’s Creek due to a poor contract, forcing reliance on subsequent roles. 

Key Earnings and Financial Insights:

• Net Worth Fluctuations: While some sources estimated his net worth at $8 million to $15 million in 2024-2026, others, such as Celebrity Net Worth, placed it closer to $3 million–$6 million.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-james-van-der-beeks-family

[caeron]

 

I am very dubious about the websites that supposedly report individual's wealth, since they seem to just pull these numbers out of the air.  It could well be that he wasn't that well off.  Look at his career, it was mostly bit parts and small films. I doubt residuals from Dawson's Creek were that significant.

That said, I wouldn't personally give.  Like you, I figure they've got other options. The charities I give to like Doctors without Borders are for people who don't.

[Pete1111]

It is a head scratcher how they ran out of money, when looking at their real estate portfolio.   But I'm a conservative person that doesn't speculate.

I remember when my dad had cancer, Mom mentioned how expensive it was, and that she was lucky his medical insurance covered most of it.  That was many years ago.

Perhaps in Van Der Beek's case the insurance denied claims.  The news coverage indicates there were insurance battles.  That seems to be a sign of the times in health care. 

Since they had 6 children, the goFundMe money will come in handy.

In many respects Van der Beek was known as a good guy, and an ally.  

I tend to believe the financial challenge is real.

 

 

[PeterRS]

I had never heard of the actor until news of his passing this morning. I have quite a bit more sympathy than @unicorn. First the GoFundMe page was set up by friends, not his widow, although she has indeed stated the funds will be needed. @unicorn states checking for colorectal cancer at age 45 is recommended. But he was only 48 and therefore in his 46th year when diagnosed. I think many of us skip health checks by a year or two from time to time. Blaming him or his wife for not strictly adhering to recommendations is I think massively unfair!

Plus I have absolutely no idea how his cancer treatment was paid for. The cancer was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago. I imagine treatment throughout that time in the US medical system would have been extremely costly. Plus all his children are still young - 15, 13, 12, 9, 7 and 4. The thought of educating all of them through to university graduation levels in the United States must be horrendous and will require millions. For private non-profit universities with room & board added to education costs for four years, the amount can easily reach $260,000! But that is today's costs. How much will it be for the three youngest children when they reach college age?

Maybe the family does have quite a large nest egg and we cannot depend on anyone to tell us apart from his financial advisor - everything else is pure speculation. But imagine merely paying living expenses for such a large family and even these are not going to last very many years!

[Suckrates]

For me it depends for whom the hat is being passed......  In James' case, he seemed like a lovely, spiritual and gentle man,  His passing from colon cancer after a long battle is incredibly sad.... He was a dad to 6 small kids.....  And thru out his battle, he always remained positive....   His colleagues speak of him as a KIND man......

And a lengthy cancer battle can be financially draining, even for celebs.   The cost of treatment and meds, even with health insurance can be devastating......

So, for me, a GoFundMe for HIM is acceptable.    

We lost a exemplary member of Humanity, while disgusting, vile, hateful and evil people like Trump and his cabinet THRIVE.....

LIFE ISNT FAIR !    

[jimmie50]

Like @caeron, I am very skeptical about the accuracy of those websites that offer personal information on famous people (relationship status, children, income, net worth, etc.).  For every individual you 'google', you get a host of sites and they all contain different information.  Depending upon how you phrase the question, even AI will provide a different answer each time asked.  I think it is one of those things that you take with a grain of salt, so to speak.  Also, he was very young when doing Dawson's Creek and not very knowledgeable or business minded.  He was not receiving residuals in huge amounts like many believe.  Like many parents in their 30's and 40's with young families, not much thought is given to life insurance.  If the family did not already have life insurance, I doubt he would have been able to purchase it once the cancer was discovered.  

My father passed away from lung cancer...mesothelioma to be exact...so I know first-hand the high cost of medical care associated with treatment of any type of cancer.  Regardless of health insurance, there are many expenses not covered for which the family becomes responsible.  For those U.S. forum members, we all know how astronomical the cost of medical care is in general, even with insurance, and it only continues to get worse.  I don't know how that compares to other countries, but I know that one major illness such as cancer in the U.S. can be financially catastrophic to a family.  Couple this with the fact he has six children, all under the age of 16, and costs involved in raising a large family as a single mother now...so I definitely think their situation is dire and a GoFundMe acceptable as well.  

[unicorn]

As I indicated in my OP, I was a fan of James van der Beek's, and mourn his passing. I apologize if my public service message to start getting screened for colon cancer at age 45 was interpreted as a criticism of his behavior, as it was not intended that way. I will take the opportunity to reach out to a friend who recently turned 50, just as a concern. Obviously, it's not possible to obtain life insurance after obtaining a life-threatening diagnosis. Clearly, life insurance would not be sustainable if one could wait until one received a potentially mortal diagnosis to buy it. I have no idea whether or not he had this insurance, as the widow hasn't indicated one way or the other. However, I found an article in today's People magazine which heightened by suspicions that the widow may be attempting to profit from her late husband's popularity:

https://people.com/james-van-der-beek-gofundme-rasied-1-million-less-than-24-hours-11905270?campaign=16874595&did=21968353-20260212&hid=089247988732f9a900151e1f8c73f2c531df3c3a&lctg=089247988732f9a900151e1f8c73f2c531df3c3a&lr_input=3911d0b923e8d92c50f8b74007080afa59d66697825b8a1e414be8db883b8062

"...The goal for the GoFundMe was originally set at $250,000, but grew as more and more donations came in throughout Feb. 11 [to $1.2 million, then to $1.5 million]....". As of this writing, the funds keep pouring in, easily topping the $2 million mark. If they had very lousy health insurance, which is questionable, I can understand having to cough up even tens of thousands. But millions? He was a well-liked and popular man, and clearly the wife is just raking it in. 

The problem with GoFundMe campaigns is that the truthfulness of the claims are never vetted. 😉