The entertainment world is mourning the loss of James Van Der Beek, the beloved Dawson’s Creek star who passed away on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48 after a courageous battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer. Amid the outpouring of grief, his close friend Alfonso Ribeiro has shared an emotional tribute that reveals the depth of their bond—including the touching revelation that he is godfather to Van Der Beek’s 7-year-old daughter, Gwendolyn .
“I’m So Broken Right Now”
Ribeiro, best known for his role as Carlton Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and as host of Dancing with the Stars, took to Instagram shortly after news of Van Der Beek’s passing broke. His lengthy caption captured the profound loss he was feeling .
“I’m so broken right now with the passing of my friend @vanderjames today,” Ribeiro wrote. “He was my true friend, brother, and life guide” .
The post continued with Ribeiro describing the difficult journey he witnessed alongside his friend. “I was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer. His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride—the highs when it looked like he had it beat, to the breaking lows of it coming back” .
A Sacred Role: Godfather to Gwendolyn
In a revelation that moved fans worldwide, Ribeiro disclosed that he holds a special place in the Van Der Beek family—as godfather to their daughter Gwendolyn, age 7 .
“I will always be there for their children,” Ribeiro wrote. “I will always hold my role as Gwen’s Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life” .
This revelation speaks to the deep friendship between the two actors, who met years ago and remained close through both joyful times and the challenges of Van Der Beek’s illness. Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly share six children: Olivia (15), Joshua (13), Annabel (12), Emilia (9), Gwendolyn (7), and Jeremiah (4) .
The Final Goodbye: Making Him Laugh One Last Time
In a second post that has touched millions, Ribeiro shared an intimate photograph taken by Kimberly Van Der Beek just minutes before James’s death. The image shows Ribeiro holding his friend’s head gently as they share a quiet moment together .
“This was taken by @vanderkimberly just a few minutes before I said my last goodbye,” Ribeiro captioned the photo. “My last moment was making him laugh one last time. I really miss him already” .
The photograph captures the profound tenderness of that final farewell—a testament to a friendship that remained steadfast until the very end. In the image, Van Der Beek wears a woven hat, his face peaceful as his friend stays close by his side .
A Friendship That Changed His Life
Throughout his tribute, Ribeiro emphasized how Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly had profoundly impacted his own life. “I’ve learned so much from James. He and @vanderkimberly changed my life. I will forever be in debt for all they’ve given me and my family” .
He expressed gratitude for having the opportunity to say goodbye, a moment he will carry with him always. “I 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” .
Remembering James Van Der Beek
Van Der Beek was first diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023, though he kept his diagnosis private until November 2024, when he shared the news exclusively with PEOPLE magazine .
“I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” he said at the time. “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good” .
His wife Kimberly announced his passing in a statement shared to his Instagram account: “Our 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. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend” .
View this post on Instagram
An Outpouring of Support
Following Van Der Beek’s death, a GoFundMe campaign was organized by friends to support Kimberly and the couple’s six children. The family faced significant financial strain due to the high costs of medical care throughout his cancer battle .
The campaign has received an overwhelming response from both fans and fellow celebrities, including donations from Academy Award winner Zoe Saldaña, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, and Wicked director Jonathan M. Chu, among many others. The fundraiser has now surpassed $2 million .
Tributes from the Dawson’s Creek Family
Fellow Dawson’s Creek cast members have also shared their grief. Katie Holmes, who played Joey Potter opposite Van Der Beek’s Dawson Leery, posted a handwritten tribute on Instagram, praising his “bravery, compassion, selflessness and strength” as well as his “appreciation for life” .
“I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it,” Holmes wrote. “I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey. He is beloved” .
A Legacy of Love and Laughter
As the entertainment community continues to mourn, Ribeiro’s final words to his friend—making him laugh one last time—stand as a beautiful testament to their bond. It’s a reminder that even in life’s most difficult moments, friendship, love, and laughter remain powerful forces.
Van Der Beek is survived by his wife Kimberly, their six children, and countless friends, colleagues, and fans who were touched by his work and his warmth. His family has requested privacy as they grieve, while expressing gratitude for the overwhelming love and support they’ve received .
For those wishing to support the Van Der Beek family, contributions can be made to the official GoFundMe campaign established to help secure the family’s future and ensure the children’s stability during this difficult time .
