Collage of five actors, three men and two women, with an outdoor background.
A clause in James’s contract meant he made no money from reruns or streamingCredit: THA/Shutterstock

A man with long brown hair and a beard, wearing a green t-shirt, sits outside leaning against a tree.
The actor passed away on Wednesday after a two year battle with cancerCredit: Instagram

A family of six children and two adults stand together outdoors.
His wife and children are now said to be at risk of losing their homeCredit: James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Friends then set up a GoFundMe to support his wife Kimberley and their six children, who are said to be at risk of losing their home due to the cost of James’s medical bills.

James shot to fame in 1998 as lead character Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek.

Despite the show’s huge popularity – which has continued since it ended in 2003 – he previously confessed he makes no money from reruns or streaming deals.

Speaking to Today in 2012, James explained: “There was no residual money.