James Van Der Beek's Ex-Wife Heather McComb 'Heartbroken' in Touching Tribute Following His Passing

James Van Der Beek's passing has cast a deep cloud of sorrow over the entertainment industry, especially among those who knew him personally, including his ex-wife Heather McComb. While many exes ended their marriages in a bitter feud, this isn't the case for McComb and Van Der Beek.

McComb paid a touching tribute to her ex-husband on social media, sharing how she would remember the once love of her life. In her poignant message, she also acknowledged his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their children.

'James Was a Beautiful Soul'

Heather McComb took to Instagram to pay tribute to James Van Der Beek. They were married for seven years, from 2003 to 2010.

McComb began by thanking those who reached out to her following Van Der Beek's passing. 'I am heartbroken over the loss of beloved James,' she wrote, adding that she was 'especially heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly, his beautiful children,' and his family.

McComb accompanied her tribute with a black-and-white throwback photo of the two of them, smiling at the camera. According to her, it was taken on her 21st birthday and before Dawson's Creek aired.

'This is how I will always see James innocent, kind and pure of heart,' she added. 'What a journey we shared over the years. I sit here in immense gratitude for the special connection, friendship and love that James and I shared that has endured through decades.'

She added that she would 'treasure the last loving words we exchanged.' McComb spoke highly of her ex-husband as she reflected on his humility amid his success.

'James was a beautiful soul filled with so much light, love, talent, humor, depth, sensitivity, knowledge and a deep love of God that shined through him,' she added.

McComb and Van Der Beek have remained friends following their divorce and she seems to be a huge fan of him and his wife, even calling them 'True soulmates.' McComb also acknowledged how van Der Beek loved being a dad to his and Kimberly's six children.

James Van Der Beek's First Marriage

Heather McComb met James Van Der Beek through her sister, Jennifer McComb, who guest-starred in his TV show, Dawson's Creek. They reportedly hit it off immediately after meeting. They got engaged in 2003 and exchanged vows on July 5, 2003.

They were spotted vacationing together when they were still married. However, after seven years of marriage, they decided to get a divorce. The exes did not have any children and were able to maintain their friendship following their separation.

'It was totally amicable and they remain good friends,' Van Der Beek's rep told People about their split.

This is evident in McComb's warm tribute to her ex-husband.

She has been in a relationship with American actor, writer, producer, and director Scott Michael Campbell. The couple has been present on each other's social media since early 2024.

In August 2024, McComb paid a sweet tribute to Campbell to mark his birthday. She shared a selfie of them on Instagram and wrote, 'I thank God every day for bringing us together in his perfect timing.'

Campbell announced their engagment on Instagram on 30 April 2025.

Who Is Heather McComb

Heather McComb, a seasoned TV actress who made her acting debut at 2. McComb has appeared in over 80 projects in her decades-long career. She is widely recognised as Frances Malone in the NBC crime drama Profiler.

Her other notable projects include The Outsiders (1990), Generation X (1996), Party of Five (1998–1999), Prison Break (2008), The Event (2010–2011), and Ray Donovan (2014).

She also appeared in several cult classics and indie movies, including Stay Tuned (1992), Kickboxer 2: The Road Back (1991), Don's Plum (2001), All the Real Girls (2003), Steel City (2006), and Pretty Bad Actress (2018).

Although McComb hasn't won a major award like an Oscar or Emmy, she was nominated for Best Young Actress Co-starring in a Motion Picture at the Young Artist Awards in 1993 for her performance in Stay Tuned.