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In a touching gesture of support, actress Zoe Saldana has committed to making regular donations to the family of James Van Der Beek following his passing on Wednesday.
Saldana, 47, has reportedly arranged for monthly contributions of $2,500 to a GoFundMe campaign, as evidenced by multiple screenshots circulating online.
Fans have been moved by Saldana’s generous act, especially after Van Der Beek’s family revealed financial struggles following his death from colorectal cancer at the age of 48.
While there is no record of any significant on-screen partnership between Saldana and the Dawson’s Creek actor, the nature of their personal relationship remains unknown.
The Daily Mail has contacted Saldana’s representatives seeking further comment on the matter.
She expressed her heartbreak over Van Der Beek’s death with a tribute post shared on Instagram on Wednesday.
Zoe Saldana pledged to donate to James Van Der Beek’s family after his death on Wednesday
Saldana apparently pledged $2,500 a month to Van Der Beek’s family. The actor is survived by his wife Kimberley and their six children
The actress expressed her heartbreak over Van Der Beek’s death with a tribute post shared to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday
‘This hits hard… Our deepest condolences to his family,’ she wrote while posting a photo of the Dawson’s Creek star.
On X, several accounts noted her apparent charity.
‘Zoe Saldana donating $2500 to James Van Der Beek’s family, MONTHLY, in the wake of his loss is just about the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,’ one user said on X (formerly Twitter).
They included a screenshot showing the donation, which was made out from ‘Zoe Saldana–Perego,’ the actress’s married name.
The comments were filled with people saluting Saldaña for looking out for Van Der Beek’s family, including his widow, Kimberly, and their six children.
‘What an incredibly kind gesture from a wonderful young lady,’ one commenter wrote.
‘Wow, monthly, that is amazing and will be such a relief to a grieving mom,’ another person chimed in.
‘Monthly support like that? Zoe Saldana is setting the standard for humanity,’ another user wrote.
On X, several accounts noted her apparent charity with screenshots of the recurring donation
The comments were filled with people saluting Saldaña for looking out for Van Der Beek’s family, including his widow Kimberly and their six children
Unsurprisingly, some commenters took issue with Saldaña’s donation and complained that it wasn’t enough for Van Der Beek’s widow Kimberly (L) and his six children
They complained that the donation wasn’t large enough based on Saldaña’s net worth, or because they assumed the campaign wouldn’t last long enough for many monthly payments to make their way to Van Der Beek’s family
But several commenters reacted defensively to the negative slant of some of the posts
Van Der Beek was best known for starring alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams on Dawson’s Creek, which ran for six seasons; they’re pictured in a publicity photo for the series
As of early Thursday morning, the GoFundMe for Van Der Beek’s family had raised $1.16 million of its $1.3 million goal. It was originally set at just $1 million, but was increased after Van Der Beek’s fans quickly reached the goal
‘The fact that this is a recurring monthly commitment shows the depth of her character,’ added another poster.
Unsurprisingly, some commenters took issue with Saldaña’s donation, either because they didn’t think it was large enough based on her net worth, or because they assumed the campaign wouldn’t last long enough for many monthly payments to make their way to Van Der Beek’s family.
‘Zoe Saldana’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $60 million. And yet $2500? Better than nothing, I guess,’ read one comment.
‘I mean, she is the highest-grossing actor of all time,’ another person wrote, seemingly suggesting that the amount wasn’t high enough.
‘Can’t help but think that there may be a family out there that could use help even more than the children of a millionaire,’ another person suggested.
But several commenters reacted defensively to the negative slant of some of the posts.
‘What should have been a heartfelt post has turned into something else in the comments. What a beautiful gesture, hopefully it inspires other who are able to go the same [sic],’ added a grateful commenter.
As of early Thursday morning, the GoFundMe for Van Der Beek’s family had raised $1.16 million of its $1.3 million goal.
It was originally set at just $1 million, but was increased after Van Der Beek’s fans quickly reached the goal.