Regina King Returns to Instagram With Heartfelt Birthday Tribute to Her Late Son

The actress is remembering her son one year after his death.

Regina King is returning to Instagram in her first post after the loss of her son.

Ian Alexander Jr. was the Watchmen star's only child, whom she shared with ex-husband and record producer Ian Alexander Sr.

"January 19th is Ian’s Worthday. As we still process his physical absence, we celebrate his presence. We are all in different places on the planet…so is Ian," she opened the caption of the upload on Thursday.

The Harder They Fall actress continued, commemorating the day and celebrating his life: "His spirit is the thread that connects us. Of course orange is your favorite color…Its the fire and the calm. I see you in everything I breath. My absolute favorite thing about myself is being ….Regina the mother of Ian the GodKing."

The video shared depicted a candlelit paper lantern—decidedly in Ian's favorite color—floating high into the sky as a few people can be heard cheering as the fire crackled.

King wrapped up the heartfelt social media note, closing with, "Continue to shine bright, my guiding light. 🧡🧡🧡"

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Several famous friends dropped loving comments, supporting the Oscar-winner in her continued mourning.

"Always remembering Ian and his bright spirit🧡I love you," Reese Witherspoon said, as Ava Duvernay offered an encouraging quote. “I’ll choose for myself next time who I’ll reach out and take as mine, in the way I might stand at a fruit stall having decided to ignore the apples, the mangoes and the kiwis. But hold my hands above a pile of oranges as if to warm my skin before a fire.” - Roisin Kelly 🙏🏾" the filmmaker wrote.

Busy Philipps and Courtney Kemp both "sent love," as Neicy Nash chimed in with, "My friend. I think of you often. I always pray for your strength & peace in the midst of loss and grief. I love you 🧡🧡🧡"

A slew of others added orange hearts, praying hands, and dove emojis to the post including Tracee Ellis Ross, Julianne Moore and Octavia Spencer.

Ian Alexander, Jr. died by suicide on Jan. 21, 2022, at age 26.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, help is available. Visit our Mental Health hub for resources or call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—which provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States—by dialing 988.