Ribeiro is godfather to one of Van Der Beek’s daughters.

Alfonso RibeiroPhoto by John Nacion on Getty Images

Alfonso Ribeiro is sharing an emotional tribute to James Van Der Beek, following the news of the actor’s death. He was 48.

“I’m so broken right now with the passing of my friend @vanderjames today,” the Dancing with the Stars host wrote. “He was my true friend brother and life guide.”

Ribeiro recalled supporting Van Der Beek during his tumultuous battle with cancer, noting that “his family and friends went on this roller coaster ride.”

“He and @vanderkimberly changed my life,” the TV personality continued referencing Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly. “I will forever be in debt for all they’ve given me and my family. He will live forever in my heart.”

Ribeiro also showed support for the Dawson Creek star’s children, to one of whom he is the the godfather of.

“I will always be there for their children,” he said. “I will always hold my role as Gwen’s Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life.”

He also shared that he was able to “say goodbye” to the ailing actor over the weekend.

“What a wise, thoughtful, loving man,” Hough wrote.

Christine Burroni

While the two actors were stars of the 90s in their own right, with Ribeiro starring on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, their friendship became solidified while Van Der Beek competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2019.

On The Jennifer Hudson Show, Ribeirio once shared that he along with another fellow 90s star Mark-Paul Gosselaar all own RVs together and go camping.

“[Gosselaar and I] became friends with James Van Der Beek and we convinced [him and his family] to buy the same RV,” he shared. “So, the three of us can go to an RV park and we roll up as ‘tripsies.’”

Van Der Beek’s DWTS family has also come out with tributes to the late actor.

Emma Slater, who was partnered with him during his season, where the two finished in fifth place, shared that she was “so devastated” by the actor’s death.

“He is and will always be family to me,” she wrote. “Love you so much, James. The man that you are, you can be proud of. So grateful that I got to be there to say goodbye to you.”