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February 13, 2026
Alfonso Ribeirois sharing his intimate last moments withJames Van Der Beek.
The "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" actor mourned the"Dawson's Creek"star a day after he died at the age of 48, sharing a Feb. 11Instagramphoto in which Ribeiro is forehead to forehead with Van Der Beek, as he cradles his fellow '90s star's head.
"This was taken by @vanderkimberly just a few minutes before I said my last goodbye," he wrote Thursday, taggingVan Der Beek's wife, Kimberly. "My last moment was making him laugh one last time. I really miss him already."
The "Dancing with the Stars" host, 54, previously paid tribute to Van Der Beek, saying the "Varsity Blues" actor and his wife "changed my life."
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'Dawson's Creek' star James Van Der Beekdies at 48 after colorectal cancer battle
"I will forever be in debt for all they've given me and my family," he wrote on Instagram Wednesday, captioning a photo of the pair in better times. "He was my true friend brother and life guide."
The actor also revealed he got his chance to say his goodbyes the previous weekend.
"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," Ribeiro continued. "I love you James and know I have a guardian angel watching over me."
James Der Beek, seen here smooching wife Kimberly at Logo's 2011 NewNowNext Awards in Hollywood, was a doting dad of six. Look back at the late star's many red-carpet appearances with his family." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek and wife Kimberly Van Der Beek at the premiere of "The Grey" in LA on Jan. 11, 2012." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The couple at Fox's post-Emmys party on Sept. 23, 2012, in LA." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The Van Der Beeks at the "Labor Day" premiere during Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 7, 2013." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The couple arrives with son Joshua and daughter Olivia at the 11th John Varvatos Stuart House Benefit on April 13, 2014, in LA." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The actor shares popcorn and cotton candy with Olivia at the same event." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The family hangs with superheroes on the red carpet at Marvel Universe LIVE! on May 2, 2015, in Inglewood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek and Joshua smile for a selfie at the Julius Jr. toy launch on June 24, 2014, in West Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The couple in costume with their kids at the GOOD+ Foundation Halloween bash hosted by Jessica Seinfeld on Oct. 30, 2016, in Hollywood." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The Van Der Beeks with daughters Olivia (standing) and Emilia at Safe Kids Day on April 23, 2017, in Culver City, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The actor and Emilia have a father-daughter treat from In-N-Out Burger at the event." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek and daughter Annabel Leah at the same function." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The couple turned out for iHeartRadio Music Festival on Sept. 22, 2017, in Las Vegas." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The family of six (at the time) at Santa's Secret Workshop on Dec. 2, 2017, in West Hollywood." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kimberly and James Van Der Beek at the "Pose" New York premiere on May 17, 2018." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Dad and kids Olivia, Annabel and Joshua Van Der Beek at Monster Jam on Aug. 18, 2018, in LA." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The couple at the Trevor Project's TrevorLIVE LA on Dec. 3, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The Van Der Beeks at the Fox/Hulu Golden Globe Awards viewing party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 6, 2019, in Beverly Hills." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kimberly and James Van Der Beek attend a screening of "Skin" on July 11, 2019, in Hollywood." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek snaps a selfie with two of his kids at Operation Smile's 11th Celebrity Ski & Smile Challenge on April 1, 2023, in Park City, Utah." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The couple attend HFC's Brain Health dinner on Sept. 30, 2023, in Austin, Texas." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Remembering James Van Der Beek and the family he leaves behind
James Der Beek, seen here smooching wife Kimberly at Logo's 2011 NewNowNext Awards in Hollywood, was a doting dad of six. Look back at the late star's many red-carpet appearances with his family.
James Van Der Beek's family,what to know about his wife and 6 kids
James Van Der Beek GoFundMe donations exceed $2 million
The actor also shared a link to the Van Der Beek family'sGoFundMe, which has now received more than $2 million in donations as of Friday, Feb. 13.
"If you feel called, please consider supporting this beautiful family. They poured everything they had into James' treatments and his journey. Every bit of love means so much," Ribeiro wrote.
From "Dawson's Creek" darling to "Dancing With the Stars," James Van Der Beek, who died Feb. 11 at 48, made a name for himself in film and television in the early '90s. Revisit the actor's most memorable roles and career highlights, starting with Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery in "Dawson's Creek."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
In this photo taken in 1997, the cast of "Dawson's Creek": Katie Holmes (Joey Potter), James Van Der Beek (Dawson Leery), Michelle Williams (Jennifer Lindley) and Joshua Jackson (Pacey)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek and John Voight star in "Varsity Blues" in 1999. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek and Heather McComb attend the GLAAD Awards on April 15, 2000, at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek of "Dawson's Creek" arrives at the WB Network's 2001 All-Star Party on Jan. 6, 2001, in Pasadena, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek (seen here in 2001) stars as Dawson Leery in TV's "Dawson's Creek." " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek and Jessica Simpson at the Nickelodeon's 14th annual Kids' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar in Los Angeles on April 21, 2001." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek plays in a softball game between the Hollywood All-Stars and the San Francisco Forty Niners Alumni on June 8, 2002, at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek attends the launch of the "uBid for Hurricane Relief" charity auction and benefit at the Empire Ballroom on Oct. 15, 2005, in Las Vegas." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James van der Beek arrives at a private performance of Cirque Du Soliel's "Delirium" on Sept. 14, 2006, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek attends the 50th annual Hollywood Stars Game at the Dodger Stadium on June 21, 2008, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ian Somerhalder and James Van Der Beek arrive at the Golden Globes party on Dec. 8, 2009." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Brook attend the "William Vincent" after-party during Tribeca Film Festival at The Gates on April 25, 2010, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Van Der Beek attend HBO's post-Golden Globe Awards party held at the Beverly Hilton hotel on Jan. 16, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek speaks during Logo's NewNowNext Awards at Avalon on April 7, 2011, in Hollywood." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Phoenix, James Van Der Beek, Mimi Imfurst and Alexis Mateo onstage during Logo's NewNowNext Awards at Avalon on April 7, 2011, in Hollywood." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Liza Lapira, James Van Der Beek and Krysten Ritter speak during the "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" panel during the ABC portion of the Winter TCA Tour held at the Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa on Jan. 10, 2012, in Pasadena, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek and wife Kimberly Van Der Beek attend the premiere of "The Grey" at Regal Cinemas LA LIVE on Jan. 11, 2012." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek accepts the Icon Award during the 14th annual Young Hollywood Awards presented by Bing at Hollywood Athletic Club on June 14, 2012, in Hollywood." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Damon Wayans Jr. and James Van Der Beek present at the 2012 Emmys at the Nokia Theatre." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek visits "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" at Rockefeller Center on Oct. 26, 2012, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kimberly Van Der Beek and James Van Der Beek attend the "Labor Day" premiere during Toronto International Film Festival at Ryerson Theatre on Sept. 7, 2013, in Toronto, Canada." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek, son Joshua Van Der Beek, daughter Olivia Van Der Beek and wife Kimberly Van Der Beek arrive at the 11th annual John Varvatos Stuart House Benefit at John Varvatos Boutique on April 13, 2014, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek and son Joshua Van Der Beek attend the John Varvatos 11th annual Stuart House Benefit at John Varvatos Boutique on April 13, 2014." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek and Shad Moss speak during the "CSI: Cyber" panel as part of the CBS/Showtime Winter Television Critics Association press tour on Jan. 12, 2015, in Pasadena, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek throws out the first pitch between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on Sep 7, 2017." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, POSE honorees James Van Der Beek, Charlayne Woodard, Hailie Sahar, Our Lady J, Indya Moore, Dominique Jackson, Ryan Murphy, Janet Mock, Billy Porter, Steven Canals, Dyllon Burnside, Mj Rodriguez and Ryan Jamaal Swain attend the Trevor Project's TrevorLIVE LA at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Dec. 3, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek stops by the WarnerMedia Lodge for "Elevating Storytelling with AT&T" during Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 24, 2020, in Park City, Utah." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek attends Operation Smile's 11th annual Celebrity Ski & Smile Challenge on April 1, 2023, in Park City, Utah." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek, pictured here with his children, attends Operation Smile's 11th annual Celebrity Ski & Smile Challenge on April 1, 2023, in Park City, Utah." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek arrives at the premiere of Prime Video Series "Overcompensating" at Hollywood Palladium on May 14, 2025, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
James Van Der Beek, Connie Britton and Benito Skinner arrive at the premiere of Prime Video Series "Overcompensating" at the Hollywood Palladium on May 14, 2025, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> James Van Der Beek's career from 'Dawson's Creek' to 'Varsity Blues'
From "Dawson's Creek" darling to "Dancing With the Stars," James Van Der Beek,who died Feb. 11 at 48, made a name for himself in film and television in the early '90s.Revisit the actor's most memorable roles and career highlights, starting with Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery in "Dawson's Creek."
Several celebrity tributes poured in for the actor and millennial icon after his death wasannouncedon his officialInstagram accounton Wednesday. Van Der Beek wasdiagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancerin August 2023. While an exact cause of death was not disclosed, the post noted that Van Der Beek "passed peacefully."
Katie Holmes shares'deep gratitude' for James Van Der Beek after death
His "Dawson's Creek" costars Katie Holmes and Busy Philipps shared touching memories, while fellow turn-of-the-century starsSarah Michelle Gellar,Jennifer Garner,Chad Michael Murray, Melissa Joan Hart,Reese WitherspoonandAlyssa Milanocalled the actor a "giant" whose death was a "true loss."
Contributing: Edward Segarra, KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:James Van Der Beek death – Alfonso Ribeiro shares sad final goodbye
