James Van Der Beek was 'giving and considerate' in his final film role, says The Gates co-star
James Van Der Beek's final film role will be in movie The Gates, and his co-star Mason Gooding has told how the late Dawson's Creek actor was "giving and considerate" while shooting the motion picture.
James Van Der Beek was "giving and considerate" in his final film role.
The actor passed away on February 11, aged 48, following a battle with colorectal cancer, and his The Gates co-star Mason Gooding - the son of Hollywood megastar Cuba Gooding Jr. - enjoyed learning from James how to "lead with grace and be considerate of all others".
Speaking about filming the movie, he told Deadline: "It was super fun, four weeks of straight night shoots.
"It was a lot of trying your best to remain present and having someone as seasoned and giving and considerate as James to kind of lead that way and incite a lot of growth, at least in me as an artist, meant that even though I was tired every day, I still felt like I was being productive and educated on the nature of leading a film, and how to lead with grace and be considerate of all others as he does so effortlessly."
Mason's comments come after James' Dawson's Creek co-star Michelle Williams told how she is thinking about the late actor - who played Dawson Leery in the teen drama - and his family "constantly" following his death.
She told Entertainment Tonight: "I’m thinking about him and I’m thinking about his family constantly."
Michelle also thanked fans for supporting a GoFundMe set up to support James' family following his death.
She added: "It’s been such an amazing thing, as James's friend and a friend of the family, to see the response in the wake of his passing.
"I just really want to say thank you to each and every person who has contributed to sustaining their lives and their children’s lives.
"It’s an incredibly meaningful thing to witness."
The GoFundMe page, which is entitled Support for James Van Der Beek's Family, has raised more than $2.7 million at the time of writing.
It was started to support James' widow Kimberly, and their six children, Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven, and four-year-old Jeremiah.
A statement posted on the fundraising page read: "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for showing up for James and his beautiful family. Your kindness has meant more than we can put into words. In the middle of deep grief, your support has been a light. It reminds us that love is real, that community is strong, and that James’s spirit continues to bring people together."
Steven Spielberg is among high-profile donors to the fund, with he and wife Kate Capshaw giving $25,000.
Actress Zoe Saldana has pledged $2,500 per month, and director Jon M. Chu donated $10,000.
