(BBC)- Actor James Van Der Beek seemed to be everywhere in the 1990s and 2000s. With the title role in coming-of-age teen drama Dawson’s Creek, he walked some of the industry’s hottest red carpets, and his face plastered magazine covers – one even dubbing him a “new superstar”.
But when tragedy struck later in life, his family needed to rely on the kindness of his friends – and fans – for financial help, shedding light on the precarious financial situation of not just many actors, no matter how famous, but millions of everyday Americans struggling with medical bills.
Van Der Beek – who had six children with his wife – died on Wednesday at the age of 48 after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer three years ago.
The cost of his medical treatments were so financially draining, his wife says, that she has now made a public plea for donations so they would not lose their home. They have raised $2.3m (£1.7m) thus far.
