There has been backlash in recent weeks to GoFundMe’s launched to raise money for the families of Hollywood stars (Picture: Shutterstock/ GoFundMe)
Following the public outpouring of grief for famous figures including James Van Der Beek in recent times, thousands of fans have been digging deep to offer money to stars they idolised – but never actually met.
Since the launch of GoFundMe 15 years ago, people around the world have been able to ask others for financial support for a range of causes.
However, last month, one fundraiser came under the spotlight when some became incensed that money being raised was going to the family of a huge Hollywood star.
In the aftermath of the beloved Dawson’s Creek star Van Der Beek’s death in February, over 50,000 people donated money to help his wife and six kids avoid an ‘uncertain future’.
After being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2022, the American actor died aged 48 following a three-year battle with the disease.
In the months leading up to his death, Van Der Beek had been forced to sell off old memorabilia from throughout his career to help pay for cancer treatment.
A fundraiser set up for James Van Der Beek’s family has surpassed $2million (£1.4million) (Picture: JB Lacroix/ WireImage)
Many fans of the Dawson’s Creek star donated to the fund (Picture: Globe Photos/ Shutterstock)
Then, when a GoFundMe was launched soon after his death was announced – asking members of the public and those who knew the late actor to help his family ‘find hope and security’ – the response was huge.
Within days over $2million (£1.4million) was raised, however the money being pledged to the loved ones of a Hollywood star also left many scratching their heads. Many others were simply furious.
Hitting out at the call-out for everyday people to part with their hard-earned cash, some labelled the fundraiser as ‘gross’ and ‘shameful’.
Eyebrows were raised as to why the family of a star, whom they assumed was a millionaire, was asking others to fund their living expenses.
But when seeing some of the pushback Van Der Beek’s family had received, Broadway star Donna Vivino decided to speak out – sharing a post that went viral after she declared that ‘a little context goes a long way’.
In her post, Donna stressed that even though the actor had starred in a hugely popular show, he was unlikely to have been making a significant amount from residuals, also explaining that cancer treatment in the US was ‘effin expensive’.
However some criticised the family of a Hollywood star being given money (Picture: GoFundMe)
‘It wasn’t planned at all. I was in shock at how much attention it received,’ she said of her post. There were people who were so angry questioning why his family needed a GoFundMe. It made me realise there’s misconception that if someone is on a hit show, they will be set for life,’ she told Metro.
‘I don’t know the intricacies of their financial situation, but if people wanted to contribute, they could, and if they didn’t, they didn’t have to. There’s a lot of backlash against people who have more than others, but I think it’s ok if a community wants to come together and help.’
Among the tens of thousands to donate to the fundraiser for the Van Der Beek family was Steven Spielberg, who donated $25,000 (£18,000). Wicked director Jon M. Chu also donated $10,000 (£7,000).
In recent weeks, other fundraisers for famous faces have also popped up. After Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane died following complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) last month, a GoFundMe was launched to support his teenage daughters. Nearly $500,000 (£373,000) has been raised so far.
In the UK, Hope Street star Finnian Garbutt, 28, also set up a fundraiser for his wife and baby after being diagnosed with stage 4 skin cancer. It has already brought in over £50,000.
A GoFundMe was also recently set up for the daughters of late Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane (Picture: GoFundMe)
As GoFundMe’s corporate affairs senior vice president John Coventry explained, the platform exists to provide everyone – regardless of public profile or financial status – to ask for help if needed.
‘If people are a cultural figure like James was, that will attract more attention,’ he said. But as he put it: ‘It is up for people who see the fundraiser to donate or not. Our view is to help people help each other.’
Since being founded in 2010 in San Diego, more than $40billion (£29billion) has been donated via the platform.
‘One of the things we hear a lot from people is that it isn’t about the money, which might sound bizarre,’ he continued. ‘It’s actually about the ability to see a community – large or small – standing shoulder to shoulder with them when they need it, and about the messages that are sent,’ he said.
‘As the economy has got tighter, we’ve seen more people who need help but will see others in need and still stand up and help them.’
Kylie Jenner has been criticised in the past for calling for her followers to donate money (Picture: Michael Buckner/ Variety via Getty Images)
Many of the donations on Van Der Beek’s page came from everyday people who donated what they could. As Hillary, who donated $10 (£7) put it: ‘I’m sorry I didn’t have more to spare but many hands makes light work.’
Geoffrey, who donated $30, added: ‘So sorry to hear about this. Any man with six kids deserves our support.’
Despite the outpouring of support in this case, in recent years, a string of celebrities have come under fire for asking their fans to contribute to GoFundMe’s.
Last year, Kylie Jenner was slammed for urging her followers to donate money to help pay for makeup artist Samuel Rauda’s medical expenses after he was in a car accident. Critics questioned why the entrepreneur, with a reported net worth of $900million (£671million) asked others to part with cash while she could have paid off the amount being called for in one go.
Meanwhile, in 2023, Megan Fox sparked backlash for sharing a link to a fundraiser for her friend and nail artist’s dad after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While she asked fans to ‘please help’, she did not contribute anything to the page.
Then, following the Los Angeles fires, Mandy Moore defended her choice to ask fans for donations to help her brother-in-law and his wife after they lost their homes. Responding to critics, she said: ‘We just lost most of our life in a fire, too. Kindly F OFF. No one is forcing you to do anything.’ She later deleted the comment.
Broadway star Donna Vivino defended some celebrities and their families launching GoFundMe’s (Picture: Jeanette D. Moses/ Variety via Getty Images)
But as Donna explained, many people who took aim at the fundraiser may not have been aware of the financial difficulties Van Der Beek would have faced after his cancer diagnosis. The actress, who has starred in Wicked and Les Misérables on Broadway, also said she’d seen many friends go bankrupt simply by trying to fund medical bills.
In the US, many actors also lose union health insurance while undergoing treatment if they are not working a certain number of weeks or aren’t earning a certain amount of money.
‘Their debts could be astronomical…we just don’t know. Just because you are a household name doesn’t mean you are wealthy or financially secure,’ she said.
With the cost of living showing no sign of slowing down – and the healthcare system in the US only getting more expensive – there’s every possibility celebrity GoFundMe’s will only continue to grow.
But at the same time that everyday people donate to these funds, usually based on parasocial relationships they had with their favourite actors or stars, many will be hoping their calls from help won’t go unanswered.
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