James Van Der Beek’s boyfriend defends GoFundMe after the actor’s death

James Van Der Beek’s friend and fellow actor Mehcad Brooks (“True Blood,” “Mortal Kombat”) recently used wires (via Daily beast) to criticize the backlash over the GoFundMe that was created to raise money for Van Der Beek’s wife and children after his death. The campaign raised $2.6 million after it was revealed that the late actor’s cancer battle left his family ‘without money’. However, opponents emerged on social media.

“This doesn’t sit right with me. Not at all,” one user wrote on Threads about GoFundMe. “Sure, I understand that. But thousands of people around the world face this exact situation every day and are dealing with the struggle. They’re not getting $2.5 million. It’s just weird. He should have had life insurance… and residual checks…”

Brooks saw this post and responded with a comment that read: “I’m one of Van Der Beek’s closet friends and the headlines are fake AF, you have no idea what you’re talking about,” Brooks wrote amid the comments. “You have no idea of ​​the pain they’ve been through. It’s okay to be silent when you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. It’s okay to not try to draw attention to the suffering of others or the generosity that followed. Because James touched them for decades. It’s okay to stay silent in the face of blind stupidity, meanness, and lack of empathy. But maybe you’re not okay.”

The GoFundMe campaign was started by friends of the late actor. They thanked fans when the campaign raised $2 million.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for showing up for James and his beautiful family. Your kindness has meant more than we can express in words,” the statement said. “In the midst of deep grief, your support has been a light. It reminds us that love is real, community is strong, and James’ spirit continues to bring people together… Your respect and understanding will give them the space they need to heal.”

Opposition to the campaign seemed to accelerate after that Realtor.com published a report claiming that Van Der Beek purchased a ranch outside Austin, Texas for $4.8 million in January. The actor and his family had previously rented the ranch since moving from California in 2020.

“James secured [a] down payment on the Texas ranch for the family with the help of friends through a trust so they could move from rent to mortgage,” the late actor’s rep shared. People during the weekend.

Brooks has taken to social media in the days following Van Der Beek’s death to mourn and honor his friend. In a carousel of photos of the two together, Brooks wrote that it was “one of the greatest honors of my life to call James my brother. It cannot be understated the impact this man had on the world, especially on those who knew him closely. He was and always will be an angel among us.”

“I was with him the last four days,” Brooks continued. “He handled the transition from flesh and blood, earth and bones to air and spirit, energy and soul like a true king. James truly influenced me in such a unique and special way that I spent all day on the phone trying to explain it all to you all… You have no idea how wonderful of a human being he really is.”