Alfonso Ribeiro made sure his final moment with James Van Der Beek was filled with laughter, not tears.
The Dancing with the Stars host shared an intimate photograph Thursday showing him cradling Van Der Beek’s head as they pressed their foreheads together in bed. The image, taken by Van Der Beek’s wife Kimberly just minutes before Ribeiro said goodbye, captures one of Hollywood’s most private farewells.
“My last moment was making him laugh one last time. I really miss him already,” Ribeiro, 54, wrote on Instagram. Van Der Beek died February 11 at age 48 after battling stage 3 colorectal cancer since his 2023 diagnosis.
The Bond Beyond Friendship
Ribeiro wasn’t just a friend—he was family. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star revealed he serves as godfather to Van Der Beek’s daughter Gwendolyn, 7. “I will always hold my role as Gwen’s ‘Goddie daddy’ as one of the most important roles of my life,” he wrote.
The comedian described being with Van Der Beek “through this horrible journey to beat cancer,” experiencing the devastating highs when remission seemed possible and crushing lows when the disease returned.
Fast Facts
- James Van Der Beek: Died Feb. 11, 2026, at age 48
- Cancer diagnosis: Stage 3 colorectal cancer announced November 2024 (diagnosed 2023)
- Survivors: Wife Kimberly and six children—Olivia (15), Joshua (13), Annabel (12), Emilia (9½), Gwendolyn (7), Jeremiah (4)
- GoFundMe: Friends launched fundraiser for Van Der Beek family after his death
Why It Matters
Ribeiro’s public goodbye offers a rare glimpse into how celebrities navigate terminal illness privately before facing public grief. His emphasis on laughter rather than sadness challenges typical deathbed narratives and highlights the power of friendship during life’s darkest moments. The revelation that he’s godfather to Gwendolyn underscores the depth of their bond—Van Der Beek entrusted Ribeiro with his daughter’s spiritual guidance, a responsibility the actor says he’ll honor forever.
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