Alfonso Ribeiro has shared a poignant glimpse into his final moments with close friend James Van Der Beek. Van Der Beek, 48, passed away on Wednesday after a two-year battle with colorectal cancer, leaving behind his wife Kimberly and six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9\u00bd, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4.<\/p>\n
Ribeiro is the godfather to Van Der Beek\u2019s daughter Gwendolyn.<\/p>\n
Taking to Instagram, the actor revealed that he was by the Dawson\u2019s Creek star\u2019s side shortly before his death.<\/p>\n
Alongside a tender photo, Ribeiro wrote, \u2018This was taken by @vanderkimberly just a few minutes before I said my last goodbye.\u2019<\/p>\n
He added that their final moments together were filled with laughter, sharing, \u2018My last moment was making him laugh one last time.\u2019<\/p>\n
Alfonso Ribeiro shared his final moments with close friend James Van Der Beek on Instagram<\/p>\n
The actor revealed that he was by the Dawson\u2019s Creek star\u2019s side shortly before his death<\/p>\n
In the heartbreaking photo, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star is seen holding Van Der Beek\u2019s head as he lies in bed, with a woven hat pulled low.<\/p>\n
Just hours after Van Der Beek\u2019s death was announced, Ribeiro shared another touching throwback photo of the two friends, this time standing side by side outside, with Van Der Beek looking healthy and vibrant.<\/p>\n
He captioned the image: \u2018I\u2019m so broken right now with the passing of my friend @vanderjames today. He was my true friend, brother and life guide. I was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer.<\/p>\n
\u2018His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride \u2013 the highs when it looked like he had it beat to the breaking lows of it coming back.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019ve learned so much from James. He and @vanderkimberly changed my life. I will forever be in debt for all they\u2019ve given me and my family.<\/p>\n
\u2018He will live forever in my heart. I will always be there for their children. I will always hold my role as Gwen\u2019s Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life.<\/p>\n
\u2018I love you James and know I have a guardian angel watching over me. Being able to say goodbye this weekend will always live with me. RIP my brother. RIP.\u2019<\/p>\n
The loss resonated throughout Hollywood, with a host of Dawson\u2019s Creek castmates posting emotional tributes, Katie Holmes among them.
\nJust hours after Van Der Beek\u2019s death was announced, Ribeiro shared another touching throwback photo of the two friends, this time sitting side by side outside, with Van Der Beek looking healthy and vibrant<\/p>\n
Ribeiro is the godfather to Van Der Beek\u2019s seven-year-old daughter, Gwendolyn<\/p>\n
In a hand-written statement posted on Instagram, Holmes, who played Joey Potter, remembered Van Der Beek for his \u2018bravery, compassion, selflessness and strength,\u2019 as well as his \u2018appreciation for life.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,\u2019 she added.<\/p>\n
The actress captioned the post: \u2018I formed some words with a heavy heart. This is a lot to process. I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James\u2019 journey. He is beloved.\u2019<\/p>\n
Busy Philipps, who joined Dawson\u2019s Creek in its later seasons as Audrey Liddell, also paid tribute on Instagram.<\/p>\n
She wrote that her \u2018heart is deeply hurting for all of us today,\u2019 acknowledging everyone who knew and loved him, including his friends, family, and fans.<\/p>\n
Philipps went on to say she was \u2018profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children,\u2019 describing Van Der Beek as \u2018one in a billion\u2019 who will be \u2018forever missed.\u2019<\/p>\n
She added, \u2018I\u2019m so grateful for our friendship all these years,\u2019 reflecting on their bond both on and off screen.<\/p>\n
\u2018He will live forever in my heart. I will always be there for their children. I will always hold my role as Gwen\u2019s Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life,\u2019 wrote Ribeiro; (James and Kimberly with five of their six children)<\/p>\n
Other stars also reacted to Van Der Beek\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
Reese Witherspoon, an executive producer on the Legally Blonde prequel Elle, in which Van Der Beek will posthumously appear, wrote that she was \u2018devastated\u2019 by the news.<\/p>\n
\u2018What an extraordinary, talented man who also showed great kindness and grace in every action,\u2019 she added. \u2018Praying all the angels watch over his family during this difficult time.\u2019<\/p>\n
Following the family\u2019s announcement on Wednesday, more stars joined in sharing condolences.<\/p>\n
The statement read: \u2018Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time.<\/p>\n
\u2018Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.\u2019
\nVan Der Beek\u2019s death rocked Hollywood, with countless Dawson\u2019s Creek costars sharing heartfelt tributes online, including Katie Holmes<\/p>\n
In a hand-written statement posted on Instagram, Katie Holmes, who played Joey Potter, remembered Van Der Beek for his \u2018bravery, compassion, selflessness and strength,\u2019 as well as his \u2018appreciation for life\u2019<\/p>\n
Jennifer Garner, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lucy Hale, Christie Brinkley, and Rumer Willis all responded to the announcement with likes.<\/p>\n
A GoFundMe page was also launched on Wednesday to help support Van Der Beek\u2019s family, with a starting goal of $500,000.<\/p>\n
Kimberly shared on her Instagram Stories: \u2018My friends created this link to support me and our children during this time. With gratitude and a broken heart.\u2019<\/p>\n
The page added: \u2018Your generosity will help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children\u2019s education.\u2019<\/p>\n
Alfonso Ribeiro has shared a poignant glimpse into his final moments with close friend James Van Der Beek. Van Der Beek, 48, passed away on Wednesday after a two-year battle with colorectal cancer, leaving behind his wife Kimberly and six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9\u00bd, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4. Ribeiro […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":842,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-841","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/653698092_122116304577207301_5199327908587467923_n.jpg",1080,1350,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/653698092_122116304577207301_5199327908587467923_n-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/653698092_122116304577207301_5199327908587467923_n-240x300.jpg",240,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/653698092_122116304577207301_5199327908587467923_n-768x960.jpg",640,800,true],"large":["https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/653698092_122116304577207301_5199327908587467923_n-819x1024.jpg",640,800,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/653698092_122116304577207301_5199327908587467923_n.jpg",1080,1350,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/653698092_122116304577207301_5199327908587467923_n.jpg",1080,1350,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Sigma Jay","author_link":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/?author=4"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Alfonso Ribeiro has shared a poignant glimpse into his final moments with close friend James Van Der Beek. Van Der Beek, 48, passed away on Wednesday after a two-year battle with colorectal cancer, leaving behind his wife Kimberly and six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9\u00bd, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4. Ribeiro…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/841","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=841"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/841\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":843,"href":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/841\/revisions\/843"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oneclickstip.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}