Friend Defends Van Der Beek Family’s GoFundMe Amid Critics

Mehcad Brooks, a close friend of James Van Der Beek, pushes back at critics of the late actor’s GoFundMe that has raised about $2.6 million for his wife and six children after Van Der Beek’s colorectal cancer death. Skeptics questioned public fundraising given reports of a Texas ranch purchase; a representative later clarified the family was renting and that Van Der Beek had secured funds for a down payment before his death. Brooks urged compassion, saying people don’t know the pain the family faced and the generosity they’ve received."