James Van Der Beek Admits to Be More ‘Present’ and ‘Honest’ With Second Wife Whom He Met While Still Married

James Van Der Beek's first marriage didn't last as long as his second one. The actor and his future second wife announced they expected a child together not long after his divorce.

According to Heavy, James Van Der Beek started dating Heather McComb before their engagement in early 2003. The pair promptly got married in Malibu over the Fourth of July weekend that same year.

Some celebrities who attended the actor's wedding included his "Dawsons' Creek" co-stars, Busy Phillips and Michelle Williams, and Soleil Moon Frye. The actor and his wife managed to stay together for six years.

While married to McComb, James never had any children with her. Just like her former husband, McComb is also an actress who's starred in "X-Men," "The Outsiders," "Saved by the Bell," "All the Real Girls, 2012: Supernova," "The Joyriders," "Girl Followed," "Never See Her Again," "Forgotten Abduction," and more.

The "Party of Five" actress and James tied the knot on July 5, 2003. She wore a Vera Wang gown for the outdoor ceremony officiated by the "Dancing With the Stars" alum's uncle.

The couple shocked everyone by announcing their separation in June 2009. However, at the time, the "Dawson's Creek" actor's representative revealed the state of their relationship, saying:

"They remain good friends.”

GOING THEIR SEPARATE WAYS

Sadly, the couple's relationship couldn't be saved, and in November 2009, James filed for divorce. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the filing was done in Los Angeles, with the actor citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce.

The former couple's divorce became official on March 31, 2010. The court found that James would have to pay spousal support to his former wife for the next two-and-a-half years until December 2012.

The court ruled that he'd pay his ex-wife $7,750 per month because the star had a monthly income of $35,000. In comparison, his ex-wife only earned a living with $1,750 a month.

MEETING THE MOTHER OF HIS CHILDREN

In August 2019, James took to Instagram, sharing a throwback picture of him and his current wife. The star met Kimberly Brook in the summer of 2009, long before his divorce from McComb went through.

The pair were photographed while sitting together at the beach four days after meeting in the social media photo. James speculated that Kimberly knew at that point, as he did, that they were going to get married, but she wasn't happy about it just then.

While celebrating their wedding anniversary on August 1, 2020, James dished more about how his relationship with Kimberly began. He confessed what his life had been like a year before meeting his second wife, stating:

“A year prior to that, I’d been famous, been wealthy, been married, been divorced, been less-than-wealthy, been single... in Israel... with an organized group, when it hit me: I was done being single.”

James knew he wanted a soulmate and someone with whom he could build a family. While speaking to a friend about his realization, Kimberly jumped into the conversation to ask the actor's pal an unrelated question.

Initially, the star was annoyed, but he found himself asking her what she wanted in a relationship three days later. She told him she wasn't looking for one but six months after they were living together!

According to some sources, when James and Kimberly began dating in July 2009, that was allegedly the same month he separated from McComb. The new couple's relationship moved quite quickly.

WELCOMING THEIR FIRST CHILD AND GETTING MARRIED

James's representative announced he and Kimberly were expecting their first child in April 2010, a month after his divorce was official! The actor confirmed the news via Twitter, sharing how he was experiencing joy in ways he never knew existed.

Kimberly and James found out they were expecting two weeks after they started living together! The actor didn't waste time sealing the deal by marrying his pregnant girlfriend before she gave birth to their child.

On August 1, 2010, the couple tied the knot almost a year since the day Kimberly interrupted him while talking to a friend. The couple also married at the same place they first met in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The star jokingly apologized in advance for his obnoxious new-father tweets that would follow because he was under a spell.

James and Kimberly had a small spiritual ceremony with a few close friends and teachers in attendance. The star wore an Armani suit for the ceremony while his wife-to-be stunned in "a vintage creation by Shareen."

While celebrating their wedding anniversary in 2020, ten years together, James opened up about how different his second marriage was. The actor confessed in his lengthy social media post:

“This marriage has demanded I be more present, more honest, more authentic, more open, more patient, more passionate, daring, capable, fun, and vulnerable... And I’m still earning her.”

Kimberly's husband also noted how they'd reached their wedding milestone through pain and joy. He revealed that he even wanted to be by her side through their passionate arguments.

James confessed that he was astounded by his wife's bravery, tenderness, and unwillingness to settle for anything less than what ought to be. He described her as the best human being he knew before wishing her a happy anniversary.

THE VAN DER BEEK BROOD

Kimberly and her husband welcomed their first child, a daughter, Olivia, on September 25, 2010. James took to his Twitter account to confirm the news revealing how much he was in bliss over the new addition.

The star jokingly apologized in advance for his obnoxious new-father tweets that would follow because he was under a spell. Over the years together, the couple has welcomed five more children!

Kimberly and James welcomed their son, Joshua, on March 13, 2012, daughter Annabel, on January 25, 2014, daughters Emilia and Gwendolyn, on March 23, 2016, and on June 15, 2018, respectively, while son Jeremiah was born on November 22, 2021.