Former Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek has made the difficult decision to part with cherished pieces of his acting career. The 48-year-old actor is selling significant memorabilia through a Propstore auction to help cover medical expenses related to his ongoing cancer treatment.
Facing Cancer With Courage
In a heartfelt revelation last November, Van Der Beek shared his diagnosis of stage 3 colorectal cancer. The father of six has been navigating treatment while managing the financial pressures that come with serious illness. His condition prevented him from attending a Dawson's Creek reunion in September, though he did make a virtual appearance to express gratitude to his former cast members and dedicated fans.
Iconic Items Heading to Auction
The Propstore's Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, running from December 5 to 7, will feature several notable items from Van Der Beek's personal collection. Among the most significant pieces is the necklace his character Dawson gave to Joey Potter, played by Katie Holmes, during the prom episode of Dawson's Creek. This iconic piece of television history carries an estimated value between $26,400 and $52,800.
Additional items include the outfit Van Der Beek wore during the Dawson's Creek pilot episode, expected to bring up to $4,000, and the cleats from his 1999 film Varsity Blues, which could sell for as much as $2,600.
A Bittersweet Decision
Van Der Beek explained his reasoning to People magazine, noting he had been storing these treasures for years while waiting for the right moment to share them. "With all of the recent unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it's clear that the time is now," the actor stated.
While acknowledging the emotional difficulty of parting with these items, Van Der Beek expressed satisfaction in offering them to fans who have supported his career. "It feels good to be able to offer them through Propstore's auction to share with those who have supported my work over the years," he shared.
During his virtual appearance at the Dawson's Creek reunion, Van Der Beek emotionally thanked his co-stars, crew, and the show's devoted fanbase, calling them "the best fans in the world."
