Alfonso Ribeiro’s heartfelt revelation about being godfather to James Van Der Beek’s 7-year-old daughter Gwendolyn has touched millions, shining a light on an extraordinary friendship forged through shared laughter, life’s highs and lows, and ultimately, profound loss.
The bond between these two actors—once strangers brought together by the sparkle of the ballroom—blossomed into something rare and enduring. Their connection began in 2019 during Season 28 of Dancing with the Stars, where Van Der Beek competed with pro partner Emma Slater. Ribeiro, already a fixture as co-host and former champion, found himself drawn to the Dawson’s Creek star’s genuine spirit and quiet determination.
What started as professional camaraderie quickly deepened. Rehearsal nights turned into meaningful conversations about fame, family, and faith. Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly welcomed Ribeiro into their world, sharing meals, stories, and the everyday chaos of raising a growing family. Ribeiro later described the couple as life-changers, crediting them with reshaping his perspective on love, resilience, and what truly matters.
James Van Der Beek’s journey captivated audiences long before this friendship took root. Born March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut, he rose to fame as the sensitive, introspective Dawson Leery in the late-1990s teen drama Dawson’s Creek. The role made him a household name, earning him magazine covers, fan adoration, and a place in pop culture history. He followed it with the gritty football drama Varsity Blues in 1999, playing the principled quarterback who challenged the status quo.
After the initial rush of stardom faded, Van Der Beek navigated Hollywood with thoughtful choices—guest roles, theater work, and self-deprecating cameos that showed his humor and humility. In 2010, he married Kimberly Brook after meeting during a spiritual trip to Israel. Their family expanded steadily: Olivia in 2010, Joshua in 2012, Annabel in 2014, Emilia in 2016, Gwendolyn in 2018, and Jeremiah in 2021. Six children brought joy, noise, and purpose to their lives.
The couple relocated to a ranch outside Austin, Texas, seeking space for their kids to grow freely amid horses, open fields, and family traditions. Van Der Beek often spoke warmly of fatherhood—the late-night feedings, sibling squabbles, and quiet pride in watching his children develop their own personalities. He balanced career ambitions with being present, emphasizing that family came first.
Tragedy struck in August 2023 when Van Der Beek noticed troubling changes in his bowel habits. A colonoscopy revealed stage 3 colorectal cancer. He kept the diagnosis private initially, focusing on treatment while protecting his young family. In November 2024, he shared the news publicly in a PEOPLE exclusive, expressing cautious hope after surgery and chemotherapy. “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” he said then.
The battle proved grueling. Treatments brought highs of progress and devastating lows of recurrence. Van Der Beek faced it with remarkable grace, maintaining faith, humor, and openness when possible. He underwent procedures, adjusted his life, and even got a vasectomy to prioritize healing without further family expansion. Friends, including Ribeiro, stood by him through hospital visits, quiet ranch evenings, and the emotional roller coaster.
On February 11, 2026, James Van Der Beek passed peacefully at home at age 48, surrounded by love. Kimberly announced the news with poise: “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.” She requested privacy as the family grieved, promising more reflections on his wishes and legacy in time.
Ribeiro’s response came swiftly and from the heart. In an Instagram post that quickly went viral, he poured out his grief: “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. 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.”
The mention of “Goddie daddy”—a sweet, personal nickname for godfather—revealed a secret commitment made years earlier. Ribeiro had been chosen as godfather to Gwendolyn, the youngest daughter at the time of her birth in 2018. In Hollywood, godparent roles can sometimes feel ceremonial, but this one carried deep weight. Ribeiro’s vow to stand by the children, especially Gwendolyn, offered comfort amid unimaginable sorrow.
Days later, Ribeiro shared another poignant image: himself cradling his friend in what appeared to be a tender, final embrace, captured by Kimberly just minutes before the goodbye. “My last moment was making him laugh one last time. I really miss him already,” he captioned it. That final spark of humor—amid pain and farewell—captured the essence of their friendship: light even in darkness.
The family’s financial strain from years of treatment prompted friends to launch a GoFundMe, which surpassed $1 million quickly and continued growing. It highlighted broader issues of healthcare costs, even for those in the public eye. Tributes poured in from across Hollywood. Katie Holmes reflected on shared memories and Van Der Beek’s bravery. Busy Philipps called him “one in a billion.” Jennifer Garner, Reese Witherspoon, and many others expressed heartbreak for Kimberly and the six children, now aged roughly 4 to 15.
This story transcends celebrity gossip. It speaks to chosen family, the power of showing up during hardship, and the quiet heroism of everyday promises. Ribeiro’s public embrace of his godfather role reminds us that some connections outlast fame or fortune. For Gwendolyn and her siblings, “Goddie daddy” represents stability, stories of their father, and a hand to hold through milestones ahead.
James Van Der Beek left a legacy of vulnerability, love, and resilience. He inspired awareness about colorectal cancer, especially its rising incidence in younger adults. His openness encouraged conversations about screening and symptoms. But above all, he modeled what it means to love fiercely—as a husband, father, friend, and human.
In the wake of loss, Alfonso Ribeiro steps forward not as a celebrity, but as a brother keeping a sacred promise. The world mourns a talented actor, but those closest remember a man who laughed until the end, loved deeply, and entrusted part of his heart to a friend who will carry it forward.
