Heather McComb shared that she married actor Scott Michael Campbell in Missoula, Montana, over the weekend—just three months after the death of her former husband, Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek, who died on February 11 after a battle with stage three
Heather McComb didn’t wait long to share the news. Over the weekend, she married actor Scott Michael Campbell in an intimate ceremony in Missoula, Montana—an Instagram post that arrived just three months after the world mourned the death of her former husband, James Van Der Beek.
The actress, 49, announced the wedding by name and by place, writing that “Yesterday @scottmichaelcampbell and I under the covenant of God got officially married by my beautiful sister Essence Atkins surrounded by the people we love most in the world in our most favorite city Missoula Montana.”
She posted a slideshow from the day. adding: “Our hearts are full and humbled by all of the love that we were surrounded by. God is so good.” Heather thanked relatives and friends who traveled from across the country. calling their support the reason the weekend felt “truly magical.” She also wrote: “God is so good” and. “Thank you Jesus the way maker miracle worker!”.
“You all made it so special and a truly magical weekend that we will never forget,” she added. “We are sitting here counting our many blessings. Thank you to everyone who made this so special for us!”
The timing is heavy because the loss hasn’t faded. James Van Der Beek died on February 11 at 48, after a battle with stage three colorectal cancer. After news of his passing. Heather had shared an emotional tribute describing herself as “heartbroken over the loss of beloved James. ” while also saying she was “especially heartbroken” for his wife Kimberly and their six children.
Heather and James were married from 2003 until their divorce in 2010, and the two remained on good terms afterward. In her tribute. she reflected on the connection she said they kept—“the special connection. friendship and love we shared.” She described him as “a beautiful soul filled with so much light. love. talent. humor. depth. sensitivity. knowledge and a deep love of God that shined through him. ” adding: “He shined so bright yet was so humble and human. Always searching, always growing, always going deeper, always chasing things outside his comfort zone.”.
She also praised his devotion as a father, saying she knew he “loved being a father so much,” and that he adored his wife Kimberly “with his everything.” Heather called the couple “true soulmates,” saying she admired the grace and strength Kimberly displayed throughout James’ illness.
James rose to fame in the late 1990s playing Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek. later building a career across film and television that included roles in Varsity Blues. One Tree Hill and CSI: Cyber. In the months before he died. he spoke candidly about how the cancer diagnosis affected him and about the support he felt from fans. Appearing on the Today show in December. he admitted he was deeply moved by the public’s response. saying. “I never expected that. ” and. “I never just stopped to appreciate what I’d done.” He added: “Every time somebody says. ‘I’m praying for you. and I’m wishing you the best. ’ I appreciate it.”.
James is survived by Kimberly and their six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah. After his death. Kimberly wrote: “Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning.” She continued: “He met his final days with courage. faith. and grace.” Kimberly added that there was more to share about James’ wishes. love for humanity and the sacredness of time. and asked for “peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband. father. son. brother. and friend.”.
Heather and James’ own love story began in the early 2000s and culminated in a Malibu wedding in July 2003. attended by several of his Dawson’s Creek co-stars. including Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps. as well as actress Soleil Moon Frye. When the couple divorced in 2010. James’ representative described the split as “totally amicable. ” saying they remained close friends despite ending their marriage.
Now, with Heather’s announcement, the story has taken another turn—one she framed in faith, family, and gratitude. In her post about the Missoula ceremony. she wrote that she and Scott Michael Campbell were “officially married. ” surrounded by people she described as the ones she loves most in the world.
Heather McComb Scott Michael Campbell Missoula Montana James Van Der Beek Dawson's Creek stage three colorectal cancer Kimberly Van Der Beek Essence Atkins