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James Van Der Beek, former teen star, struggles to cover medical expenses
A fundraising effort was established to support the actor’s family, who faced financial hardship following costly cancer treatments.
In the 1990s and 2000s, James Van Der Beek was a ubiquitous figure in the entertainment industry, starring in the popular teen drama Dawson's Creek and gracing numerous magazine covers, including one that labeled him a "new superstar".
However, his family's subsequent struggles with financial hardship, particularly in the face of his medical bills, highlighted the precarious financial situation faced by many actors and ordinary Americans alike, who often find themselves struggling to make ends meet due to exorbitant medical costs.
Van Der Beek, who had six children with his wife, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 48, three years after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
The financial burden of his medical treatment was so significant that his wife has now made a public appeal for donations to prevent the family from losing their home, with a total of $2.3m (£1.7m) raised so far.
In the months leading up to his death, Van Der Beek had spoken publicly about the financial strain of his cancer treatment, and had even auctioned off memorabilia from his career, including a plaid shirt from the first episode of Dawson's Creek, to help make ends meet.
As Van Der Beek explained to People Magazine last November, "I've been holding onto these items for years, and given the recent challenges I've faced, it's become clear that now is the time to use them to make a difference."
The high cost of Van Der Beek's medical treatment was compounded by the fact that he was no longer earning the same level of income as he had during the height of his career, and he had also revealed that he had not received residuals from his work on Dawson's Creek, which would have provided a significant source of additional income.
In a 2012 interview with Today, Van Der Beek recalled that he had been paid "almost nothing" for his work on Dawson's Creek, and that his contract had not included provisions for residual payments.
Despite his diagnosis, Van Der Beek continued to work, appearing in two episodes of the TV show Overcompensating in 2025, although it is unclear whether this work was sufficient to qualify him for health insurance through the actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, which requires members to work a minimum of 108 days per year or earn at least $28,090 on union shoots to be eligible.
Van Der Beek's situation is not unique, as other high-profile actors, such as Beverly Hills 90210 star Shannen Doherty, who passed away in 2024, have also spoken out about their struggles with medical debt and lack of insurance.
Actor Benjamin Byron Davis, who has appeared in TV shows and films such as Marvel's Ant Man, noted that the decline of residual payments has become a major issue for actors, making it difficult for them to make a living and qualify for health insurance through their union.
"The revenue streams that actors have traditionally relied on have dried up," Davis explained, citing the impact of streaming on the way production companies compensate performers, and adding that many actors depend on these payments to survive.
Davis himself lost his health insurance during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes, but was able to regain it once the strikes were over and he was able to meet the union's eligibility requirements again.
According to Davis, the minimum earnings required to qualify for health insurance through SAG-AFTRA have increased significantly over the past decade, making it difficult for many actors to access affordable healthcare.
Valerie Yaros, an archivist with SAG-AFTRA, noted that while the union's health insurance plan provides good coverage for those who are eligible, many actors struggle to meet the requirements.
Yaros added that it is possible that Van Der Beek may have lost his eligibility for the union's health insurance plan due to his reduced work hours.
In 2024, Van Der Beek spoke to People about the challenges of dealing with cancer treatment and insurance, describing it as a "full-time job".
Van Der Beek's death has brought attention to the ongoing debate about rising healthcare costs in the US, an issue that has been recognized by both Republicans and Democrats as in need of reform, but has yet to be adequately addressed.
The US has one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world, with estimated spending on healthcare projected to reach $5.9tn in 2026, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Approximately 100 million people in the US struggle to pay off their medical and dental healthcare debt, according to recent data.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Van Der Beek's widow, Kimberley, and their six children, who are facing an uncertain future and significant financial strain in the wake of his passing.
The page, which was shared by Van Der Beek's wife, notes that the family is struggling to stay in their home and provide for the children's education and well-being, despite the significant donations that have been made so far.
The page reads, "In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future, and the costs of James's medical care and extended fight against cancer have left the family without sufficient funds."
Even with health insurance, cancer treatment can be extremely costly in the US, with some studies suggesting that the average monthly cost of chemotherapy can range from $1,000 to $12,000.
Eva Stahl, vice president of policy at Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that has paid off approximately $25bn of medical debt for nearly 15 million people, noted that the US private healthcare system often leaves even those with insurance facing high deductibles and significant out-of-pocket costs.
"People are being forced to choose between life-saving treatments and debt," Stahl said, highlighting the unfairness of the current healthcare system, which can leave even those with significant resources, like James Van Der Beek, struggling to afford necessary care.
Michael Short, a graphic artist in Tennessee who has personal experience with medical debt, shared the story of his sister, who was forced to declare bankruptcy due to medical debt from cancer treatments, despite having insurance coverage.
"The prices of these medications and treatments are just so high," Short said, noting that the costs can quickly add up to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
News
UK Jewish Victim Expresses Fears for Personal Safety After Assault
Yoni Finlay, a victim of the synagogue attack, may have also been a potential target in a previous plot.
Following the Manchester synagogue attack, a survivor has expressed concerns about his safety in the UK, citing the discovery of a previously foiled plot that could have put him in harm's way.
On October 2025, Yoni Finlay was inadvertently shot by a police bullet while barricading the doors of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, where two individuals lost their lives during a violent attack.
Finlay, 40, had long been aware of the potential for such an incident to occur in his hometown, where he has lived his entire life.
According to Finlay, "The fear of an attack is constant, which is why we have implemented security measures, and they do an excellent job, but there is always a risk of something happening."
Unbeknownst to Finlay at the time, he may have been caught up in an earlier plot, which was thwarted by an undercover police operative.
Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, had planned to target Manchester's Jewish community in what could have been the deadliest terror attack in the UK if they had succeeded.
The pair had arranged for firearms to be smuggled into the UK as part of an Isis-inspired plot.
Prosecutors stated that the men intended to launch a gun attack on an anti-antisemitism march by the end of summer 2024, followed by further attacks on Jewish communities in north Manchester.
In a message, Saadaoui noted that Manchester has the largest Jewish community outside of London, stating, "We will carry out [an attack] here."
The next day, Saadaoui took the undercover operative to areas with significant Jewish populations in Manchester to identify potential targets.
Finlay was among the thousands who attended an anti-antisemitism march in Manchester during the summer of 2024, unaware that a plot to target the event had been foiled.
It was not until after his release from the hospital, following the synagogue attack, that Finlay learned about the earlier foiled plot.
Finlay believes that the normalization of antisemitism has contributed to the sense of inevitability surrounding such attacks, saying, "I think for everybody, there was an element of it being a matter of time."
Finlay had also attended a similar march in January 2024, which further underscored his concerns about the prevalence of antisemitism.
He described the undercurrent of hate and antisemitism, saying, "It's difficult to live with on a day-to-day basis, knowing that there are people who don't want us here."
Finlay's personal experiences have been affected, as his son has faced threats and harassment for being Jewish, and now avoids wearing a kippah in public.
Despite being a lifelong resident of Manchester and feeling a strong connection to the city, Finlay feels that it is no longer safe for him and his family.
However, Finlay is determined not to let fear dictate his life, stating, "It's essential not to allow terrorism and hatred to win."
Finlay's resolve to continue living his life without being controlled by fear is evident in his commitment to not letting terrorism prevail.
The sentences handed down to Saadaoui and Hussein, who were found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism, reflect the severity of their crimes.
Saadaoui received a life sentence with a minimum term of 37 years, while Hussein was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 26 years.
A third individual, Bilel Saadaoui, was convicted of failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism and received a six-year sentence.
The convictions and sentences serve as a reminder of the importance of preventing and combating terrorism.
The events surrounding the foiled plot and the subsequent attack on the synagogue have had a profound impact on Finlay and the Jewish community in Manchester.
The case highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the community to prevent such incidents in the future.
News
Probe Underway into DNA Discovered at Nancy Guthrie’s Residence
According to the sheriff’s department, efforts are underway to determine the owner of the DNA, although the location of its discovery has not been released.
Local authorities have discovered DNA at the residence of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of American news anchor Savannah Guthrie, that does not match her or anyone in her close circle, according to officials.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department is currently working to determine the origin of the unidentified DNA, but has not disclosed its exact location.
Several gloves have been found by investigators, with one discovered approximately two miles away from Nancy Guthrie's residence.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home nearly two weeks ago, and authorities suspect she was taken against her will.
The sheriff's department has clarified that reports of a glove being found inside or on the property of Nancy Guthrie's home are incorrect.
All evidence collected has been submitted for laboratory analysis, according to the department.
On Thursday, the FBI released a description of the suspect, stating that the individual is a male, approximately 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in (175-177cm) tall, with a medium build.
Investigators were able to gather identifying details about the suspect by analyzing footage from a doorbell camera located outside Nancy Guthrie's home.
The suspect was seen wearing a 25-litre Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack in the footage, as reported by the FBI.
Following the release of the doorbell footage, investigators received over 13,000 tips, including 4,000 within a 24-hour period.
The FBI has increased the reward for information regarding Nancy Guthrie's disappearance from $50,000 (£36,700) to $100,000.
The county sheriff's department stated that the suspect description remains a primary focus of the investigation, but added that no individual or possibility is being ruled out.
Investigators have also made a broader appeal for neighbors to share any video footage that may be relevant to the case.
Authorities have noted that Nancy Guthrie, 84, requires daily medication and has limited mobility.
Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings have posted multiple social media appeals directed at their mother's abductor.
The family believes Nancy Guthrie is still alive and has indicated their willingness to pay for her safe return.
News
Malinin Crashes to Eighth in Free Skate Upset
At the Milan-Cortina 2026 event, USA’s Ilia Malinin, heavily tipped to claim the men’s figure skating title, experienced a disappointing outing, suffering two falls, which ultimately led to him finishing off the podium, while Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov secured the top spot and the gold medal.
At the Milan-Cortina 2026 event, Ilia Malinin of the USA, who was heavily tipped to win the men's figure skating gold, experienced a disappointing performance, falling twice and ultimately missing the podium, allowing Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov to claim the top spot.
For further information, Mikhail Shaidorov's gold medal win is detailed in a separate article, which also discusses Ilia Malinin's unexpected loss.
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