Heather McComb, best known as the first wife of the late Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek, has stepped into a new chapter of life, marrying fellow actor Scott Michael Campbell in an intimate outdoor ceremony — just months after mourning the untimely passing of her former husband.
Who Is Heather McComb?
Heather McComb was born on March 2, 1977, in Barnegat, New Jersey, and is an American actress best known for her roles as Maggie on Party of Five (1998–1999) and Frances Malone in Profiler (1997–1998). She began her acting career as a child and has maintained an active presence in Hollywood for decades, with appearances in shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19, Prison Break, and The Rookie.
McComb was previously married to Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues star James Van Der Beek from 2003 to 2010, before the couple went their separate ways after seven years together.
James Van Der Beek’s Tragic Passing
News broke in February that James Van Der Beek died at age 48 following a battle with stage III colorectal cancer. The beloved actor, who rose to fame playing the iconic Dawson Leery on the long-running teen drama Dawson’s Creek, had shared his cancer diagnosis publicly with fans in late 2024, earning widespread admiration for his openness and courage throughout his treatment journey.
Van Der Beek passed away on February 11, 2026. He is survived by his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek, whom he married in 2010, and the couple’s six children.
Heather McComb’s Heartfelt Tribute to James
Despite their divorce more than a decade prior, McComb’s bond with Van Der Beek remained one of warmth and deep mutual respect. McComb paid tribute to her ex-husband the day after his death, sharing a nostalgic black-and-white photograph of the two of them embracing — an image she revealed was taken on her 21st birthday. She wrote, “I am especially heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly, his beautiful children and his amazing family and all of his family and friends who I know he loved deeply.” She added, “This is how I will always see James — innocent, kind and pure of heart. 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.”
Heather McComb Remarries: The Wedding Details
In a joyful turn of events, Heather McComb has shared happy wedding news just three months after mourning the devastating loss of her former husband. The actress, 49, married actor Scott Michael Campbell in an intimate ceremony in Missoula, Montana, over the weekend, surrounded by family and close friends.
McComb shared her wedding photos on Sunday, May 31, on Instagram and wrote, “Yesterday @scottmichaelcampbell and I under the covenant of God got officially married by my beautiful sister @essence_says surrounded by the people we love most in the world in our most favorite city Missoula Montana.”
The wedding details included the bride wearing sparkly white cowboy boots with socks reading “I ♥ my husband.” She later posted a photo of her socks that had turned muddy during the celebrations, and she eventually changed into silver and white sneakers to carry the night through.
McComb described the weekend as “truly magical,” expressing gratitude to everyone who travelled from across the country to celebrate with them. “Our hearts are full and humbled by all of the love that we were surrounded by. God is so good,” she wrote.
Groom Scott Michael Campbell, 54, also shared photos from the wedding on his own Instagram, writing, “BEYOND BLESSED for the most AMAZING week getting married to the BEAUTIFUL soul who is @heatmccomb. THANK YOU to ALL of our friends and family and all our newfound friends and family!”
Who Is Scott Michael Campbell?
Scott Michael Campbell was born on August 14, 1971, in Missoula, Montana — making the Montana wedding a deeply personal homecoming for the groom. He is an American actor, writer, producer, and director, best known for his roles in Brokeback Mountain, Push, and Flight of the Phoenix.
Over more than three decades in the industry, Campbell has appeared in a vast range of television shows including ER, House, Criminal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy, Dexter, The West Wing, NCIS, Supernatural, Suits, Shameless, For All Mankind, and the Emmy-nominated limited series Under the Banner of Heaven, in which he portrayed Brigham Young.
In Shameless, Campbell was a fan favourite, portraying Brad Young across the seventh through eleventh seasons of the US version of the show. A multifaceted talent, Campbell has also won awards for his work behind the camera as a producer and director of short films, including Shooting for Tomorrow, which won Best Short Film at the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival.
A New Beginning
The wedding marks a deeply meaningful new chapter for McComb, who has navigated both grief and gratitude in the same year. Notably, the ceremony took place in Missoula, Montana — the very city where Scott Michael Campbell was born and raised, lending the celebration an added layer of personal significance for the couple.
The officiant for the ceremony was none other than McComb’s own sister, actress Essence Atkins, making the occasion an especially intimate and family-centred affair. Friends, colleagues, and fans from across the entertainment world have flooded the couple’s social media posts with warm wishes and congratulations.
Kimberly Van Der Beek, whom James married in 2010 and with whom he shared six children, has separately been reflecting publicly on life following the loss of her husband. The wider Van Der Beek community continues to honour James’s memory while celebrating the new milestones those who loved him are finding in the months since his passing.
Whether it’s a reminder that love finds a way or a bittersweet moment in Hollywood’s ongoing story, Heather McComb’s new journey has captured hearts everywhere — drop a comment below and share your thoughts, or follow along for more updates as this story develops.