Paul Walter Hauser Pushes Back At Trolls Questioning James Van Der Beek Fundraiser
Paul Walter Hauser is using his platform to help a fellow actor during a difficult time. The Black Bird star recently shared that he is raising money for James Van Der Beek, who is currently being treated for stage 3 colorectal cancer. The effort is being done through a partnership with Cameo, according to Hauser’s own social media posts.
Hauser said he was moved after learning that Van Der Beek had started selling personal items from his acting career to help pay for medical bills. In a post shared online, Hauser explained 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. He added that as a father, the idea of having to sell meaningful items instead of saving them for his children really bothered him.
To help, Hauser is donating his Cameo earnings to the fundraiser and hopes to raise $20,000 by March 1, 2026. He is also planning an auction with items donated by friends in the entertainment world. According to Hauser, contributors include Josh Gad, Jimmy Kimmel, and wrestler 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 asked fans to support him.
Hauser also addressed possible criticism from people online. He pointed to his long history of charity work, including cancer walks and donations to groups like Smile Train. In another message, he wrote I’ve always liked James Van Der Beek, and he seems like a really good dude, and asked followers to keep the actor in their prayers.
Van Der Beek first went public with his cancer diagnosis in late 2024. In recent interviews shared through entertainment media, he said the experience has been physically and emotionally draining, but he is staying focused on continuing treatment and moving forward.
While helping his friend, Hauser’s own career continues to grow. According to studio announcements, he is currently filming a new Resident Evil reboot directed by Zach Cregger. He is also set to appear in the action-comedy Balls Up alongside Mark Wahlberg and Molly Shannon.
The fundraiser has sparked conversation online about whether well-known actors should do more to support others in the industry who face serious health issues.
