Hauser plans to partner with Cameo, as well as do an auction of “celebrity friends’ personal items and autographs” to raise money for the “Dawson’s Creek” star.

Paul Walter Hauser explains why he’s raising money for James Van Der Beek, blasts ‘internet trolls’ who dare question it

Hauser plans to partner with Cameo, as well as do an auction of "celebrity friends' personal items and autographs" to raise money for the "Dawson's Creek" star.

By Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff is an award-winning journalist and staff writer at ** with over 12 years of experience covering all facets of the entertainment industry.

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January 26, 2026 7:54 p.m. ET

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Paul Walter Hauser at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards; James Van Der Beek in 2024. Credit:

Phillip Faraone/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty; Andrew Toth/Getty

Paul Walter Hauser is looking out for a fellow actor in his time of need.

The *Black Bird* star is partnering with Cameo in the hopes of raising money for *Dawson's Creek *icon* *James Van Der Beek, who recently revealed he was auctioning off memorabilia from his most well-known roles to help pay for his cancer treatment. Van Der Beek announced in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

"James Van Der Beek started selling his old stuff from his past acting jobs to pay for his colorectal cancer treatments, and it didn’t sit well with me," Hauser began his Instagram post announcing his endeavor. "I am an actor and father of 3 children, and I want them inheriting my trinkets/wardrobe/memorabilia someday. I wouldn’t want to auction off a Stingray shirt or Marvel script to make ends meet for treatment."

Hauser then went on to say he hopes to raise $20,000 by March 1 through recorded Cameo videos, and he also plans to do an auction of his own to continue his support of "a fellow actor, father and husband who has rolled a painful pair of dice these last couple years." Items in the auction will include "celebrity friends' personal items and autographs (Josh Gad, Becky Lynch, Jimmy Kimmel, and many many more)," according to the actor.**

And he wants to get ahead of anyone who might question this sudden philanthropic endeavor. "Before the Internet trolls wipe their saliva and attack their keyboards to question why I chose to raise money for this, and not something they deem worthy of time/efforts/funding, know that I’ve done stand up comedy for Relay for Life’s Cancer Charity Walk, I’ve donated my own earnings to organizations like Smile Train and Neighborly, and recently helped raise over $100,000 for ServeLA through my appearance on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune," he wrote.**

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Hauser concluded, "Just arming myself with facts and receipts at the ready. I’ve always liked James Van Der Beek and he seems like a really good dude. Let’s help him out in this difficult moment. Prayers Up 4 The Beek!"

James Van Der Beek on 'Dawson's Creek' in 1997.

It's not clear if Van Der Beek is aware of Hauser's campaign.

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In December, Van Der Beek shared an update on his health in a sitdown interview with *Today* show cohost Craig Melvin. "In private moments, for sure, I break down and get scared and feel weak. And it's just all part of the journey," he said at the time. "The hardest part has been the patience this has required as I'll, say, make a plan and then not be able to follow through on it."

He continued, "It's been a longer journey than I ever thought it would be. It's required more of me — more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had. I knew I was strong. I didn't know I was this strong. But I feel good."

The actor added that he's "trying a bunch of stuff" as he still undergoes cancer treatment, but he did not provide specifics.**

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