James Van Der Beek, once a renowned figure in Hollywood, unexpectedly passed away after years battling cancer. Yet, before his diagnosis, he grappled with significant tax debt that nearly overwhelmed him and his family.
In 2021, the IRS filed a lien against James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly for non-payment of $95,438 in 2018 and another $173,890 in 2019. This amounted to an outstanding debt of $269,328. In November 2021, the IRS sent a notice that this financial burden would be removed only after they paid off the entire sum.
Remarkably, just one year later, Van Der Beek and his family managed to clear their debts. However, as if life itself was conspiring against him, he received an ominous diagnosis: stage 3 colorectal cancer in early 2023. The ensuing treatments and subsequent years of recovery left him increasingly strapped for cash.
In a poignant gesture before his departure, friends stepped in with assistance to alleviate Van Der Beek’s financial distress. They helped secure the down payment on a substantial ranch property in Texas that he and his family had been renting. This was achieved through a trust, enabling them to transition from renter to homeowner.
Van Der Beek’s inner circle remained dedicated even after his passing. After his death, they launched a GoFundMe campaign aimed at providing crucial financial support to Van Der Beek’s grieving family. The fundraising effort raised an impressive $2 million—a sum that would likely have been unprecedented in addressing the undisclosed depths of their previously unacknowledged financial struggles.
These acts underscored both the depth of the actor’s personal ties and the unseen vulnerabilities he faced, highlighting a stark contrast between his fame and the often overlooked financial battles of many in the entertainment industry.