Alfonso Ribeiro revealed he is the godfather of one of James Van Der Beek's surviving children as he paid tribute to the late Dawson's Creek star. "I'm so broken right now with the passing of my friend @vanderjames today. He was my true friend, brother and life guide," Ribiero, 54, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, February 11, after news broke of Van Der Beek's death following a cancer battle. The late actor was 48. "I was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer. His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride," he continued.