James Van Der Beek, First Wife Heather McComb Had an 'Amicable' Divorce
Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek was happily married at the time of his death to his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, the mother of his six kids.
However, she was his second wife. He was married first to an actress named Heather McComb. Although their union did not produce kids and was not a lasting one, the divorce was amicable, People reported at the time.
According to People, Van Der Beek and McComb were married for seven years and divorced in 2010. He was married to Kimberly for 15 years at the time of his death, according to an anniversary tribute he posted in August.
Van Der Beek died on February 11 after a colorectal cancer diagnosis, according to a post on his and Kimberly's Instagram pages. "He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," the post read.
Van Der Beek's Representative Called His Divorce From Heather McComb 'Totally Amicable'
The divorce between Van Der Beek and McComb went as well publicly as it could.
“It was totally amicable, and they remain good friends," his representative told People at the time.
McComb did receive "spousal support" for two years, according to ABC 6. McComb "will receive spousal support through 2012," the television station reported, adding that the couple went through mediation together after Van Der Beek filed for divorce.
People reported that Van Der Beek, then 33, paid Heather Ann McComb "$7,750 per month until December 2012. The papers say Van Der Beek's monthly income is $35,000, compared with McComb's income of $1,750 a month." They had been married in front of Michelle Williams, Busy Philipps, and Soleil Moon Frye, People added.
In the settlement, People reported, "Van Der Beek will keep their North Hollywood residence, all bank accounts in his name, and all residuals from his acting work and rights to his screenplays."
McComb's IMDb page contains dozens of acting credits. She is also a producer who was born in New Jersey, the page says. Popular shows like Ray Donovan, Profiler,Shameless,Party of Five, and CSI programs fill out her acting resume.
McComb's Instagram page describes her as, "I am just me. Living, loving and laughing to the best of my ability. Oh and I play make believe for a living. Actor, Producer and Dog lover." It doesn't mention Van Der Beek.
(Photo by J.Sciulli/WireImage)
A recent post touts her support for independent films. Some of her posts deal with her church and religious faith.
Heather McComb's Sister Starred on 'Dawson's Creek,' a Report Says
How did Van Der Beek meet McComb? Through his most popular role.
According to TODAY, Van Der Beek met McComb in 2003. McComb "reportedly met Van Der Beek through her sister Jennifer McComb, who guest starred on Dawson’s Creek in the late 1990s," TODAY reported.
McComb mentioned divorce in a tribute to a friend on Instagram; in that post, she also confirmed that she moved from New Jersey to Los Angeles. "We’ve been through so much together. Making movies, vacations, sleep overs, camping, death, births, re-births, marriages, divorces, wins, loses, celebrations, funerals, love, heartbreaks and everything in between," she wrote of that friendship.
In 2020, McComb wrote on Instagram, "Trying to take everything in moment by moment breath by breath. I know this is a crazy uncertain time and I for sure have my moments. But when I mediate on being grateful and living in love and faith I find peace. I am sending you all love. God bless and spread some love today and everyday it’s free :-)"