Law & Order and Mortal Kombat star Mehcad Brooks defended the online fundraiser, which has received more than $4.1m in donations, to support Van Der Beek’s widow, Kimberly, and their six children. “I am one of the Van Der Beeks closest friends and the headlines are fake AF, you have no idea wtf you’re talking about,” Brooks wrote on Threads. “James secured a down payment for the Texas ranch for the family with the help of friends through a trust so they could shift from rent to mortgage,” they told People. The fundraiser, which was started by friends, said the costs of medical care and the fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. Others were more sympathetic, saying the United States’ healthcare system is expensive and even the wealthy can struggle to pay the costs.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 17, 2026 04:08 UTC