From James Van Der Beek to Eric Dane, what's behind the celebrity crowdfunding backlash

When Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek died of colorectal cancer at 48 earlier this month, it raised an immediate and sustained outpouring of grief, emotion and support. 

But also raised were more than a few eyebrows. Specifically around a GoFundMe campaign for Van Der Beek's family, which quickly reached $2.7 million US and counting. It was meant to help his wife and six children "cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education" as well as maintain their standard of living and ostensibly keep from losing their home. 

The reaction, from both the media and fans, was swift. 

"I've seen a lot of people talking about, like, 'Why? What is the purpose? Like, did you guys not have any money saved up?'" said culture critic Pablo The Don. "'I've known who you are for years via TV and movies; where is this sudden need for money coming from?'"

But Van Der Beek, who died on Feb. 11, is not alone. In what feels to some like a sea change in acceptable behaviour, celebrities and those close to them have been asking everyday fans to contribute to grassroots fundraising efforts — specifically to go toward their own families or friends instead of to larger causes. 

When that ask comes from public figures or those around them, it can inspire criticism, Pablo said. That's especially true when a campaign's beneficiary is assumed to have far more resources and a stronger safety net than those from whom they're asking for help.

Most recently, there was Grey's Anatomy actor Eric Dane. Roughly 10 months after revealing an ALS diagnosis, Dane died Feb. 19. GoFundMe took down, then recently verified and reinstated a page made "to support his girls and their future needs.” It has since raised over $400,000 US. 

Multiple GiveSendGo campaigns set up to aid Erika Kirk — widow of assassinated right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk — collectively raised millions, though for most it is unclear who started them. And last year, actor Mandy Moore defended her choice to ask fans for donations to support her brother-in-law and his wife, after they lost their home in the L.A. wildfires.

“We just lost most of our life in a fire, too," Moore wrote in a since-removed Instagram comment, replying to outraged commentators. 

"Kindly F OFF. No one is forcing you to do anything.”

In the past few years, everyone from Alyssa Milano, to Brittany Mahomes (wife of NFL player Patrick Mahomes), Megan Fox and Kylie Jenner have found themselves in outrage cycles for asking fans to contribute to fundraisers for their friends and families. And the backlash hasn't only come from the public.

"It's my favourite thing when wealthy celebrities start a GoFundMe," British actor Jameela Jamil said on a recent podcast episode. "It's like, you could just pay that bill with no harm to yourself whatsoever. It's a drop in your ocean."

Actor Mickey Rourke denied any involvement with an online fundraiser recently set up in his name, meant to help him avoid eviction. Saying the drive was launched without his knowledge, he claimed he would "rather stick a gun up [his] ass and pull the trigger" than ask for donations from fans. 

That attitude drives much of the negative reaction to these campaigns, said Jeremy Snyder, a health sciences professor at Simon Fraser University.