Did Zoe Saldana Know James Van Der Beek Before Donating to His GoFundMe?

When news broke that Zoe Saldana was donating thousands of dollars each month to support James Van Der Beek’s family, fans immediately had questions. Did Zoe Saldana know James Van Der Beek, or was this simply a gesture of goodwill from afar?

The recurring donation stood out in a sea of one-time celebrity tributes, sparking curiosity about whether there was a deeper connection between the two actors.

Zoe pledged a generous monthly contribution to the GoFundMe created for Van Der Beek’s family after his death. The structure of the donation, set to recur each month, quickly drew attention because it suggested ongoing support rather than a single show of solidarity.

With Hollywood names rallying behind the fundraiser, many wondered what link, if any, tied Zoe directly to James. Here’s what we know about their history.

There are no publicly documented projects or professional collaborations linking Zoe and James. Neither actor has spoken extensively about a close working relationship in past interviews.

Based on available reporting, her recurring donation appears to be a personal gesture rather than one tied to a shared credit. As far as public information shows, the support reflects generosity rather than a confirmed on-screen connection.

Of course, what the public sees is only part of the picture. Hollywood relationships often exist quietly, long before or long after any headlines. It is also entirely possible that Zoe was simply moved by the news and chose to help, much like many fans who grew up watching Dawson’s Creek.

Without a public explanation from her, the donation appears to reflect compassion rather than a documented professional tie.

Zoe committed to donating $2,500 per month to the GoFundMe set up for Van Der Beek’s family. The pledge is structured as a recurring monthly contribution rather than a one-time donation.

The fundraiser was created to support Van Der Beek’s wife Kimberly and their six children. The recurring nature of the donation stood out because it signals sustained support, not just an immediate response to headlines.

At the time of this writing, Zoe hasn't publicly discussed the donation so we can only speculate.

Page Six reports several high-profile names also stepped up to support the fundraiser. Jon M. Chu, Guy Oseary, and Martin Blencowe each donated $10,000, while Derek Hough, Busy Philipps, and Jenna Dewan were also listed among contributors.

Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, were reported as donors as well, reflecting broad industry support for Van Der Beek’s family.

In Hollywood, tributes often arrive as carefully worded Instagram posts or heartfelt captions shared in the hours after news breaks. In this case, the gesture was quieter and more sustained. Instead of a public statement, support came through a recurring monthly donation.

The commitment suggests a meaningful professional connection and a deliberate choice to help provide ongoing stability for his family during an unimaginably difficult time.