Paul Walter Hauser Defends Fundraiser For James Van Der Beek And Calls Out Internet Trolls
Paul Walter Hauser is stepping up to support a fellow actor facing a daunting health crisis. The Black Bird star recently announced a partnership with Cameo to raise funds for Dawson’s Creek alum James Van Der Beek, who is currently undergoing treatment for stage 3 colorectal cancer. Hauser’s initiative comes after Van Der Beek began auctioning off personal memorabilia from his iconic roles to cover his mounting medical expenses.
The Emmy winner expressed that seeing a fellow artist sell off cherished items to pay for healthcare struck a deep cord with him. 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 shared on social media. He emphasized that as a father, he understands the desire to pass down mementos to his children rather than being forced to sell them for survival.
Hauser has set an ambitious goal to raise $20,000 by March 1, 2026, through his Cameo earnings. Beyond video shoutouts, he is organizing an auction featuring items donated by several high-profile friends, including Josh Gad, Jimmy Kimmel, and Becky Lynch. He described Van Der Beek as a fellow actor, father, and husband who has rolled a painful pair of dice these last couple of years, and urged his followers to join the cause.
Anticipating potential criticism, Hauser was quick to point out his long history of charitable work, ranging from cancer walks to massive donations for organizations like Smile Train. I’ve always liked James Van Der Beek, and he seems like a really good dude, Hauser noted, concluding his post with a call for prayers for the actor. Van Der Beek, who went public with his diagnosis in late 2024, recently shared that while the journey has been physically and emotionally exhausting, he is finding the strength to keep fighting.
Paul Walter Hauser’s own career is currently at an all-time high as he enters 2026. He is currently filming the highly anticipated Resident Evil reboot directed by Zach Cregger, where he stars alongside Austin Abrams and Kali Reis. Hauser is also slated to appear in the action-comedy Balls Up, which features an ensemble cast including Mark Wahlberg and Molly Shannon.
Do you think that established actors should lead more public fundraising efforts for their peers? Share your thoughts in the comments.