Who Is Heather McComb? All About James Van Der Beek’s Ex-Wife

The sudden passing of James Van Der Beek at 48 has left Hollywood and fans around the world in shock. The actor, who rose to fame in the late ’90s through the teen drama Dawson’s Creek, was widely regarded as a devoted father and family man. While condolences poured in from colleagues and fans, attention has also turned to his personal life, including his first marriage to Heather McComb, which lasted nearly seven years before he built a large family with his second wife, Kimberly Brook.

Who Is Heather McComb?

Heather McComb is a veteran television actress with more than 80 credits in films and TV series. Beginning her career as a child, she appeared in popular shows such as Party of Five, Profiler, CSI, and Ray Donovan. She also holds the distinction of being the first actress to portray the X-Men character ‘Jubilee’ in the 1996 TV film Generation X. According to TODAY, Heather first met James Van Der Beek through his sister, Jennifer McComb, who guest-starred on Dawson’s Creek.

Marriage and Divorce

James and Heather tied the knot on July 5, 2003, in Malibu, surrounded by close friends and co-stars. While James was at the peak of his career, Heather was steadily building her TV career. Despite the pressures of fame, the couple maintained a private relationship.

The duo filed for divorce in April 2009, citing “irreconcilable differences,” which was finalized in 2010. A representative confirmed to People that the split was “amicable,” and Heather reportedly received temporary spousal support. The couple had no children together, and neither faced public disputes. James later reflected that marrying young led them down different life paths, while Heather continued her acting career privately.

James Van Der Beek’s Later Life and Death

After his first marriage, James remarried Kimberly Brook in 2010 and had six children. In 2023, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer, which he publicly shared in 2024 to raise awareness about early screenings. His death was recently confirmed by Kimberly in an emotional Instagram post, stating he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.