Mehcad Brooks Defends James Van Der Beek Family Amid Online Backlash Over Texas Ranch Purchase

Actor Mehcad Brooks has publicly defended the family of his friend and fellow actor James Van Der Beek in response to online criticism surrounding a GoFundMe campaign launched after Van Der Beek’s death.

Brooks, known for his roles in “Law & Order” and “Mortal Kombat,” addressed backlash on Threads following reports that Van Der Beek purchased a $4.8 million ranch in Texas shortly before his passing.

The controversy began when a user shared a screenshot of a TMZ headline about the January purchase and claimed the family’s GoFundMe campaign “doesn’t sit right with me” given the property acquisition.

In his response, Brooks wrote: “I am one of the Van Der Beek’s closest friends, and the headlines are fake AF. You have no idea wtf you’re talking about. You have no idea the pain they went through.”

He added: “It’s ok to stfu when you can’t know what the f you’re talking about. It’s ok not to try to seek attention off of other people’s suffering or the generosity in response to it. Because James touched them for decades. It’s ok for you to stay quiet in the face of blind stupidity, meanness and lack of empathy. But maybe you’re not okay.”

The user originally stated: “This doesn’t sit right with me. Not at all. Sure, I get it. But thousands of people around the world face this exact situation every day and deal with the struggle. They don’t get $2.5 million. It’s just weird. He had to have had life insurance … and residual checks.”

Van Der Beek revealed in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer and was undergoing private treatment at the time.

After his death, friends organized a GoFundMe campaign to support his wife and their six children. The page states: “The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time.” Donations will be used for “essential living expenses, [to] pay bills, and support the children’s education.”

A spokesperson for Van Der Beek confirmed that he purchased the Texas property in January with assistance from friends through a trust to help shift the family from rent to mortgage. Realtor.com lists the purchase price as $4.76 million, with the sale finalized on January 9.

The actor and his family relocated from Los Angeles in 2020 and initially rented a 36-acre property outside Austin. Before his death, Van Der Beek auctioned memorabilia from projects including “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues” to offset medical expenses.

In an interview with People in November 2025, Van Der Beek said: “I’ve been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them… it’s clear that the time is now.”