Home / Arts and Entertainment / Alfonso Ribeiro: Godfather to Van Der Beek's Child
Alfonso Ribeiro: Godfather to Van Der Beek's Child
12 Feb
Summary
- Alfonso Ribeiro is the godfather to one of James Van Der Beek's surviving children.
- James Van Der Beek passed away on February 11, 2026, after a cancer battle.
- A GoFundMe has been established to assist the Van Der Beek family with financial strains.
Actor Alfonso Ribeiro shared a touching tribute to his late friend, James Van Der Beek, revealing he is the godfather to one of the actor's surviving children. Van Der Beek, known for his role in Dawson's Creek, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026, at the age of 48 after a private battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Ribeiro expressed his profound grief, stating he was with Van Der Beek throughout his difficult journey battling the illness. He vowed to uphold his role as godfather to Van Der Beek's six children, including his goddaughter Gwendolyn, and pledged his continued support to the family. The Van Der Beek family also shared their sorrow, announcing James's death via his Instagram account.
Following James Van Der Beek's passing, his widow, Kimberly, established a GoFundMe campaign. The initiative aims to alleviate the significant financial strain the family is facing after the actor's extensive cancer treatment. The GoFundMe page highlights Van Der Beek's impact as a beloved husband, father, and friend.
