Actor James Van Der Beek passed away earlier this week after fighting cancer for the last few years. Heartfelt tributes are now pouring in for him from his friends and family.
Keep reading to know more.
Alfonso Ribeiro has made a heartbreaking tribute to his late friend actor James Van Der Beek. He shared on February 12, his last goodbye to his beloved friend. He posted a picture that captured their emotional “last goodbye” as well as a last message for the late actor.
James Van Der Beek passed away at the age of 48 on February 11, 2026. He had been battling stage 3 colorectal cancer for the last three years. He leaves behind his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children.
Alfonso Ribeiro and James Van Der Beek became friends in 2019, when they first met on Season 28 of Dancing with the Stars. James was competing in the season while Alfonso was co-hosting with Julianna Hough. The two of them struck a friendship that lasted till the very end. Ribeiro even went on to become Van Der Beek’s daughter Gwendolyn’s godfather.
James passing was first confirmed by his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, who posted a statement to his official Instagram account to alert his fans of the news. Alfonso posted his tribute honoring his late friend shortly after. He posted a picture taken, it seems, just months earlier. In the picture the late actor appears healthy and is smiling directly at the camera.
In the caption, Alfonso wrote,
Alfonso wrote in the caption, “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.”He also vowed to look after his late friend’s family, especially his six children, calling it “one of the most important roles of my life.”
A day after he shared the first post, he then shared another post to remember his friend. On February 12, he posted a heartbreaking account of James’ final moments and a picture as well.
In the picture, which Kimbery took, James is lying in bed and looks visibly ill, Ribeiro is cradling his head on his friend as the two share what seems to be a final hug.
In the caption 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.”
official link to the GoFundMe set up to provide financial support for James’ family, along with a photo of James’ children and a caption that read, “If you feel called, please consider supporting this beautiful family…”
This is such a heartbreaking event. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, and fans of the late actor James Van Der Beek.
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