Who Is James Van Der Beek’s Ex-Wife, Heather McComb? Know What Led To The Split Amid His Death At 48

The sudden death of James Van Der Beek at the age of 48 has left Hollywood in shock. James, who became a popular name in the ’90s with the teen drama Dawson’s Creek was regarded as a complete family man and devoted father. While his fellow actors and fans have extended their condolences over his death, it has brought the focus on different aspects of his life, including a significant chapter of his first marriage. Before James built a big family of 8 with his second wife, Kimberly, he was married to Heather McComb for nearly seven years. Here’s everything you might want to know about her.

Who Is Heather McComb?

Heather McComb is a prominent television actress who has worked in more than 80 projects, including films and TV shows. She began her career as a child and went on to appear in series such as Party of Five, Profiler, CSI, and Ray Donovan. She also holds a unique pop culture milestone of becoming the first actress to portray the X-Men character, ‘Jubilee’, in the 1996 television film, Generation X. According to TODAY, Heather reportedly first met James Van Der Beek through his sister, Jennifer McComb, who made a guest appearance on Dawson’s Creek. 

Eventually, they fell in love and tied the knot on July 5, 2003, in Malibu, surrounded by friends, including some of his co-stars. At that time, James Van Der Beek was at a high point in his career due to the height of Dawson’s Creek’s popularity. Eventually, he transitioned from teen idol to adult actor, while Heather was gradually building her career in TV. Despite his fame, they kept their relationship away from the tabloids and continued to focus on their work.

What led to the divorce of James Van Der Beek and Heather McComb?

James Van Der Beek and Heather McComb filed for divorce in April 2009. They had mentioned “irreconcilable differences” as the cause behind their divorce, which was finalised in 2010. But despite the end of their marriage, his representative told People that it was a complete “amicable decision” and the duo continued to be on good terms. Later, some financial reports revealed that Heather received temporary spousal support following mediation. 

However, there were no public disputes or dramatic allegations tied to their separation. The pair did not have children together. Later, the actor reflected on his first marriage and suggested that, since they married young, they eventually had different life paths. Following their split, the actress continued acting and largely maintained a private personal life.

What caused James Van Der Beek’s death at 48? 

Several years after the end of his first marriage, James Van Der Beek gradually built his family and life with his wife, Kimberly Brook, in 2010. They welcomed six children and moved to Texas to live a quieter, family-centered life. However, in 2024, the actor publicly opened up about battling Stage 3 colorectal cancer, though he had been diagnosed in August 2023. 

He used his platform to advocate for early cancer screenings and emphasized how he had been in strong physical shape at the time of diagnosis. Recently, his death was confirmed by Kimberly in an emotional Instagram post, where she informed that he had passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones. 

Rest in peace, James Van Der Beek. 

Next Read: Who Is James Van Der Beek’s Wife, Kimberly? What We Know About Her Amid His Death At 48