When Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek died of colorectal cancer at 48 earlier this month, it raised an immediate and sustained outpouring of grief, emotion and support.
But also raised were more than a few eyebrows. Specifically around a GoFundMe campaign for Van Der Beek’s family, which quickly reached $2.7 million US and counting. It was meant to help his wife and six children “cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education” as well as maintain their standard of living and ostensibly keep from losing their home.
The reaction, from both the media and fans, was swift.
“I’ve seen a lot of people talking about, like, ‘Why? What is the…