Alfonso Ribeiro Shares Heartbreaking Photo Of ‘Last Moment’ With James Van Der Beek
Just a day after the devastating news of James Van Der Beek’s death at just 48 years old, his close friend Alfonso Ribeiro is opening his heart in a way that is almost too intimate to witness.
On Thursday, the 54-year-old Dancing with the Stars host took to Instagram to share a deeply personal photo from his final moments with the Dawson’s Creek alum. The image shows Alfonso lying in bed beside James, holding his head close, their faces touching in a quiet, private goodbye.
Related: James Was Writing A Memoir Before He Died, And Had A TON Of Acting Projects In The Works
Alfonso revealed that the photo was taken by James’ wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, just minutes before he said farewell for the last time. He wrote:
“This was taken by @vanderkimberly just a few minutes before I said my last goodbye. My last moment was making him laugh one last time. I really miss him already.”
That single sentence carries so much weight. And the photo is even heavier:
View this post on Instagram
Oof.
Kimberly, who shares six children with James — daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9½, Gwendolyn, 7, and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, 4 — announced her husband’s passing on Wednesday. James had been battling stage 3 colorectal cancer since 2023, after undergoing a precautionary colonoscopy prompted by changes in his health. He went public with his diagnosis in November 2024, bravely opening up about a journey that would ultimately become a heartbreaking roller coaster for his family and closest friends.
Later that same day, Alfonso shared even more about what James meant to him, revealing he is Gwendolyn’s godfather.
Alfonso also described being there through every high and crushing low of James’ fight, witnessing firsthand the hope when it seemed like James might beat the disease and the devastation when it returned.
Ribeiro wrote at the time:
“I’m 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. 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. 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 will live forever in my heart.”
And perhaps most moving of all was Ribeiro’s promise to James’ children:
“I will always be there for their children. I will always hold my role as Gwen’s Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life. 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.”
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Wow.
Truly, truly crushing. There really are no other words.
[Image via Alfonso Ribeiro/Instagram]
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