Alyssa Milano Defends GoFundMe For Dane & Van Der Beek

Alyssa Milano is coming to the defense of late fellow actors who have recently raised massive amounts of money due to GoFundMe fundraisers set up to help the families they left behind.

Amid the backlash received from the GoFundMe accounts set up for both Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek, Milano explained why she believes there is no harm in fans honoring their memories in a monetary way.

Taking to Substack, the legendary actress expressed her thoughts on honoring the lives of Dane and Van Der Beek, who both recently passed away due to ALS and cancer, respectively.

“When friends of Eric Dane and James Van Der Beek organized GoFundMe campaigns for their families, the backlash was swift and predictable,” Milano’s post began. “Comment sections filled with variations of the same accusation: Why are we giving money to elites? Aren’t they rich? Isn’t this absurd?”

“There is a mythology about actors that lingers from another era, one built on twenty-two-episode seasons, long-term network contracts, DVD sales, and syndication checks that arrived for decades,” she continued.

“In that model, a hit show could provide steady employment for most of the year and residuals that offered real financial security between jobs. That system shaped the public’s understanding of what a “successful” actor must earn. But that system has largely disappeared,” Milano explained.

“A recognizable face from a beloved show fifteen years ago does not guarantee permanent wealth,” Milano wrote. “The entertainment industry is cyclical and unpredictable. Income arrives in bursts, followed by long stretches of waiting. Health insurance depends on meeting earnings thresholds.”

The “Who’s The Boss” star continued, detailing the inconsistencies of acting and wage breakdowns.

”Agents, managers, and lawyers take percentages. Families rely on consistency in a profession built on inconsistency. Add a serious health diagnosis into that equation and it’s impossible to stay afloat. Medical costs escalate. Earning capacity changes. Time becomes less flexible,” her post read.

“The more revealing question is not why anyone would give, but why generosity toward someone recognizable provokes such suspicion. Compassion should not have a means test,” the actress shared.

Milano ended her thoughts, adding, “That should not be controversial. It should be a reminder.”

A GoFundMe was created for Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart’s two daughters, Billie, 15, and Geraldine, 13, following his death on February 19.

The fundraiser, which to date has raised almost all of its $500,000 goal, stated the intent behind the money.

“As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric’s friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs,” the fundraiser reads.

“Any contribution, no matter the size, will help provide stability during this incredibly difficult time and in the future for Eric’s wonderful daughters.”

“Here we go again… if you absolutely must give away your money, donate directly to ALS research,” a Reddit user wrote regarding the GoFundMe for Dane. “His friends can “afford” to gift his daughters money. They don’t need his fans to do it,” another shared.

Some Redditors also pointed out Dane’s successful acting career, which netted him millions, specifically on “Grey’s Anatomy” and the upcoming third season of HBO’s “Euphoria.”

“This guy was on network TV for a decade raking in millions — what are we doing here?” a Redditor commented.

“He literally filmed for Euphoria when he was sick and it hasn’t even aired yet… idk how much he makes off that show but it’s pretty popular,” another user wrote. “And Grey’s Anatomy? I feel for Rebecca and kids I really do but it’s not like they lost a bunch of income.”

Per Realtor.com, on January 9, 2026, Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, purchased a 36-acre ranch in Texas for $4.76 million.

When news of the multi-million-dollar purchase was revealed amid the creation of the GoFundMe for his wife and six children, many were outraged, as there was a belief that the property could be sold to financially support Van Der Beek’s family.

The fundraiser, which set an initial goal of $1.5 million, was intended to help cover medical bills and other living expenses for his wife and children.

“This is why these GoFundMe efforts are annoying,” one user wrote on Reddit. “It’s usually gullible people giving celebrities with bad financial planning their hard-earned money.”

“They also have a $2.5 million home in Beverly Hills they’re collecting rent on,” another user wrote. “Healthcare in the US is bad, but come on people, don’t get grifted.”

“I don’t want to be rude, but couldn’t they sell the land and ranch and downsize if they needed money?” a third Redditor shared. “I’m not saying their donations should be taken away, or they are not possibly struggling, but there are so many less fortunate people on GoFundMe who don’t even get a dime, nor do they have a 5-million-dollar property they can use as collateral.”

Steven Grossman, a talent manager and producer, shared a throwback photo on Instagram of himself with Miss J Alexander, paired with a lengthy caption about the former runway coach’s stroke recovery before asking his followers to contribute to the GoFundMe.

“I started a @gofundme to help @miss_jalexander with the overwhelming financial burden of medical bills and long-term care,” Grossman’s caption read in part. “So if Miss J ever made you smile or laugh – I hope you will consider donating or sharing with your community. Let’s all come together for someone who has inspired so much joy, confidence and individuality in all of us.”

In the comments of the post, an Instagram user asked Grossman why he was starting a GoFundMe if he was so close to Alexander, also alluding to his financial status as a Hollywood manager and producer, and Grossman offered a defense.

“Because he kept it private for years until the Netflix documentary came out and it wasn’t my news to share,” he wrote in response. “For clarity though I’ve never repped Miss J. He’s just a friend.”

To date, the GoFundMe has raised over $30,000 of its $50,000 goal.