Steven Spielberg’s $25K donation to James Van Der Beek’s family GoFundMe sparks backlash

AUSTIN, TEXAS: After reports surfaced about Steven Spielberg donating $25,000 to a GoFundMe for late actor James Van Der Beek’s family, social media erupted with mixed reactions over his gesture.   

While many users praised the gesture as generous and thoughtful, others criticized the amount, arguing that the contribution was modest given Spielberg’s substantial net worth.

Spielberg facing backlash over $25,000 donation

The 'Jurassic Park' filmmaker, who is 79, and his wife Kate Capshaw gave the money to help Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly and their six children after the actor's died while battling colorectal cancer. 

The actor died from cancer on February 11 at age 48. While $25,000 is a lot of money to most people, critics on social media were not impressed.

On X, people pointed out that Spielberg is worth about $5.2 billion. One user wrote, “Steven Spielberg donating $25k is like me donating $25.” 

Another person said, “$25k to SS is like finding a couple of quid down the back of the sofa.”

Over on Threads, one commenter added, “If I have the money that Steven Spielberg has I will donate easily 2 million in a lump sum,” while another said the small amount "makes him look like a cheapskate."

Another added, "Come on dude. Just 25k? I have given a far far far greater sum of my network for them. Come on America. Let's take care of this widow and her children. This man deserves it. He literally was an embodiment of humanity"

"A fiver to a normal person I’m sorry but if I was a multiple millionaire I would step in and cover the bills, I don’t think this is him cos it’s abit shamefully" 

One social media user called Spielberg's donation 'nice' and yet chose to echo several others when it came to the director's wealth. Their post on X read, "Nice, considering that Dawson's character had Spielberg as his ultimate hero. But it's a drop in the ocean of wealth of Spielberg."

Special bond between Steven Spielberg and James Van Der Beek

Even with all the critical comments, many fans stood up for Spielberg. 

They reminded everyone that James Van Der Beek’s most famous character, Dawson Leery, was obsessed with Spielberg on the show 'Dawson’s Creek'.

Spielberg even sent a video to a recent cast reunion, saying, “Dawson, you made it. Maybe someday, I will get to have a Dawson’s closet.”

Because of this history, some people found the donation very moving. 

One fan wrote, “That’s actually really beautiful considering the Dawson’s Creek connection.”

Another simply called it a “nice tribute.” 

One social media user wrote in suport of the director saying, "It’s not right to measure how much they donate to how much they earn. Spielberg and James don’t know each other and Spielberg donated. That’s a great gesture. That allows James family to have time to grieve and find their footing without him. Let’s concentrate on that."

Spielberg’s gift was actually one of the highest individual donations to the GoFundMe campaign. 

Beek’s GoFundMe was established after his death on Feb 11

The fundraiser was established by friends of the family to address the "uncertain future" Kimberly and her children face. 

According to the campaign description, the high costs of medical care and the extended fight against cancer left the family "out of funds" and struggling to maintain their home. 

Van Der Beek, who revealed his diagnosis in November 2024 after a routine colonoscopy, had previously admitted he received "no residual money" from Dawson's Creek due to a "bad contract."

Right now, the campaign has raised over $2.46 million, with an anonymous donation of $50,000 as the highest, leaving Spielberg in third spot.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.