James Van Der Beek’s ‘last moment’ with close pal Alfonso Ribeiro as pair share loving embrace before final goodbye
JAMES Van Der Beek’s heartbreaking last moments with close pal Alfonso Ribeiro shows the pair hugging with their heads touching.
Fresh Prince of Bel Air actor Alfonso shared the snap to his Instagram on Thursday, a day after the Dawson’s Creek star died aged 48.
Taking to Instagram, he revealed that he was by his friend’s side while in hospital shortly before his death.
“This was taken by Kimberly a few minutes before I said my last goodbye,” he wrote.
In the heartbreaking photo, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star is seen holding Van Der Beek’s head as he lies in bed.
The pair touch foreheads and have their eyes closed – with the sick Van Der Beek wearing a cream beanie pulled low.
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Their final moments together were filled with laughter, sharing, “My last moment was making him laugh one last time.”
A lengthier tribute on Ribeiro’s Instagram described Van Der Beek as his “true friend, brother and life guide” who will “live forever in my heart.”
He wrote: “I‘m so broken right now with the passing of my friend James Van Der Beek 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 Kimberly Van Der Beek 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. 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.“
Van Der Beek revealed his diagnosis publicly in November 2024, telling PEOPLE Magazine that he had been “privately dealing” with it and had been taking steps to resolve it.
“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” he said at the time.
The TV and film star spent the last few years of his life advocating for early health screenings to help spread awareness, and even mentioned the importance of being proactive in the final video he posted less than one month before his death.
By the end of his life, the noughties heartthrob was physically weakened, but his mind remained resolute, and his wisdom moved his many friends and fans.
A source told the Mail: “James was on hospice for several weeks and he was rail thin when he passed.
“He was mostly in bed because he was very weak, and he was not eating.
“He was in hospice, they held his hand and were there for him, of course, but it has been hard because James was so ill, he was weak.
“He had so much charisma, he was a wonderful soul, and his presence is missed. Those poor little kids.”
Van Der Beek leaves behind his wife, Kimberly, and six children – Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12. Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven, and Jeremiah, four.