Law & Order and Mortal Kombat star Mehcad Brooks defended the online fundraiser, which has received more than $4.1m in donations, to support Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly, and their six children.
“I am one of the Van Der Beeks closest friends and the headlines are fake AF, you have no idea wtf you’re talking about,” Brooks wrote on Threads.
“You have no idea the pain they went through. It’s okay to stfu when you can’t know what the f*** you’re talking about.”
Brooks was replying to a post questioning whether the family should receive millions of dollars from fans while they lived in such an expensive home.
“This doesn’t sit right with me,” read the post. “Thousands of people around the world face this exact situation every day and deal with the struggle. They don’t get $4.1m. It’s just weird.”
A representative for the Dawson’s Creek actor said the family did not buy the property outright.
“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 told People.
The fundraiser, which was started by friends, said the costs of medical care and the 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,” said the GoFundMe fundraiser.
They have said funds will go towards covering essential living expenses, paying bills and supporting the children’s education.
However, many commenters maintained the donations were extravagant and the family could downgrade.
“It’s okay to sell your freaking US$4.8 million [$7.9m] 30+ acre ranch in one of the most expensive areas of Texas and your other house in LA and live within your means,” read a comment.
Others were more sympathetic, saying the United States’ healthcare system is expensive and even the wealthy can struggle to pay the costs.
