{"id":2278375,"date":"2026-02-12T03:24:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T03:24:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2278375"},"modified":"2026-02-12T03:24:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T03:24:28","slug":"alfonso-ribeiro-reveals-hes-godfather-to-james-van-der-beeks-daughter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/alfonso-ribeiro-reveals-hes-godfather-to-james-van-der-beeks-daughter\/","title":{"rendered":"Alfonso Ribeiro Reveals He\u2019s Godfather to James Van Der Beek’s Daughter"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Alfonso Ribeiro<\/strong> <\/a>revealed he is the godfather of one of James Van Der Beek\u2019<\/strong>s<\/a> surviving children as he paid tribute to the late Dawson\u2019s Creek<\/em> star.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so broken right now with the passing of my friend @vanderjames today. He was my true friend, brother and life guide,\u201d Ribiero, 54, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, February 11, after news broke of Van Der Beek\u2019s death<\/a> following a cancer battle. The late actor was 48.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer. His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride,\u201d he continued. \u201cThe highs when it looked like he had it beat to the breaking lows of it coming back. I\u2019ve learned so much from James. He and @vanderkimberly changed my life. I will forever be in debt for all they\u2019ve given me and my family. He will live forever in my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ribeiro vowed to be there for the Varsity Blues<\/em> star\u2019s six kids<\/a>, including Gwendolyn, 7, who is his goddaughter. James and his wife of 16 years, Kimberly Van Der Beek<\/strong>, also shared Olivia (born in 2010) Joshua (born in 2012), Annabel (born in 2014), Emilia (born in 2016), and Jeremiah (born\u00a0 in 2021).<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>James Van Der Beek’s Famous Friends Share Inside Look at His Final Days<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tJames Van Der Beek\u2019s closest friends are providing a special glimpse into the actor\u2019s final days on Earth. Before the Dawson\u2019s Creek star died on Wednesday, February 11, after a stage III colorectal cancer diagnosis, close pals, including Dancing With the Stars cohost Alfonso Ribeiro and Law & Order alum Mehcad Brooks were able to [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI will always be there for their children,\u201d Ribeiro continued. \u201cI will always hold my role as Gwen\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The actor\u2019s death was announced via his Instagram account on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,\u201d a statement shared via his Instagram read. \u201cThere is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Alfonso Ribeiro and James Van Der Beek.<\/span> (Photo courtesy of Alfonso Ribeiro\/ Instagram)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The Travis County Medical Examiner\u2019s Office confirmed James was pronounced dead at 6:44 a.m. on Wednesday. A medical professional made the call to their office.<\/p>\n

James announced his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis<\/a> in November 2024.<\/p>\n

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