Carlton from ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ is dividing people after sharing a picture with actor James Van Der Beek on his deathbed – 14 reactions that can see the rights and wrongs of it

There was really sad news this week when it was announced that Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek had died from cancer, aged just 48.

James Van Der Beek Dies: Beloved 'Dawson's Creek' Star Who Battled Cancer Was 48 https://t.co/IsVe9E8sTS

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) February 11, 2026

In the days since, friends of the actor have been sharing memories and images from his final moments.

James Van Der Beek’s final days captured in intimate photos shared by friends after his death https://t.co/H9n9W41VEe pic.twitter.com/7KvZjzQ7l8

— Page Six (@PageSix) February 11, 2026

But one in particular has divided people online. Alfonso Ribeiro, a judge on Dancing With The Stars but perhaps best known for playing Carlton Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, posted a picture on his Instagram of him embracing James on his deathbed.

The picture, taken by James’ wife Kimberly, shows Alfonso embracing his friend.

Alfonso Ribeiro shares his last moment with James Van Der Beek before he passed away. ✍🏾#TSRStaffAS pic.twitter.com/M6E03SbKSG

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) February 12, 2026

The caption reads:

“This was taken by @vanderkimberly just a few minutes before I said my last goodbye. My last moment was making him laugh one last time. I really miss him already.”

Alfonso and James were long-time friends, and some people saw the post simply as an emotional tribute. However, other people have called the picture inappropriate, and the divided response has been playing out online for a few days now.

1.

Hugging a celebrity on his deathbed so you can have the last photo taken with him to post on social media to boost your clout while pretending to make you appear like a loving friend is the worst kind of posturing. It’s the kind of performative empathy that'd make vomit throw up.

— Jarod Kintz (@JarodKintz1) February 13, 2026

2.

The wife is the one who took this picture, is tagged in the picture by the godfather of one of her kids, and strangers on the internet are telling you he shouldn’t have done this lol.

— 💋 (@price0fwoke) February 13, 2026

3.

If you post a pic of me on my deathbed to social media, there won’t be enough sage, palo santo, or bible verses to keep me from whooping your ass every night you close your eyes for bed. https://t.co/JybEXly4UK

— The Bronx?! The World. (@itsKARY_) February 13, 2026

4.

Exactly how I expect my friends to be on my death bed https://t.co/qZzCtwuTlv

— Jamila 🔔 (@_iamjamila) February 12, 2026

5.

Maybe I’m old fashioned but please don’t post me on my damn deathbed. Weird as fuck https://t.co/MgqJLrk08z

— Paul Cross (@pcrossvol) February 13, 2026

6.

If anyone I know does this to me, I am going to haunt you. https://t.co/XZXWdhGya4

— You Ain’t Nobody’s Paula Abdul (@1KidRevolution) February 13, 2026

7.

This is just so odd to me. It’s not odd that he is embracing his friend before he passes on. It’s odd that someone would take a picture in this moment when your friend is literally on their deathbed. To be memorialized in your dying moments & posted on social media is wild to me https://t.co/WbuHac4HoY

— I'm Pressure Y'all Pressed (@kiss_my_grits01) February 13, 2026

8.

These pictures will also help drive up donations that his family is in need of. His wife took the picture, I can’t imagine he posted w/o her blessing. Nobody else’s opinion matters. This is so depressing but so nice his ❤️ ones could spend time w/him in his final days

— TheMrs (@502KYGal) February 12, 2026

9.

I assume he cleared this first. He’s the godfather is one of the kids and they were very close.

— Jus (@BosCityJMJ) February 13, 2026

10.

Some things are just too intimate to publicly post.

— Breseis (@ItsUsKatie) February 12, 2026

11.

I love James, I love Alfonso, I hate this so much pic.twitter.com/jgLJP6R4lT

— Knee Jerk City (@nateofeos) February 13, 2026

12.

I feel like we did not need to see this

— Rae 🇹🇹 (@raesince1988) February 12, 2026

13.

This is the second photo I've seen of someone holding JVDB on his death bed. Did all his friends line up for a photo? I thought the first one was insensitive. Now I'm thinking he gave them permission to post the photos. Still tacky, though. https://t.co/X6ZKsMWhZY

— Jody (@jodybackagain) February 13, 2026

14.

As someone who takes care of dying folks, let me just say this is beautiful.
Its not narcissistic for Alfonso to post this picture or have it taken.
Death is peaceful, death is natural. Death isn't anything to hide from. This is a gorgeous photo of one human loving another. https://t.co/ShRPgb0e4l

— Tina (@Quiltedmother) February 13, 2026

Source: Twitter/X/TheShadeRoom