Who Is Joey Lawrence's Wife? All About Actress Samantha Cope

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Joey Lawrence Instagram

Joey Lawrenceand Samantha Cope have seemingly mended their marriage.

In August 2024, Copefiled for divorcefrom Lawrence and cited irreconcilable differences. PEOPLE later learned thatLawrence’s alleged infidelityplayed a role in their split. Roughly four months later, the coupleannounced their reconciliationonInstagram.

“I’dnever dated somebody that I’d worked withbefore. That was just very, very much out of the ordinary for me,” Lawrence told PEOPLE in 2023. Laughing, he added: “I was her lover — and also her killer [in the film].”

So, who is Joey Lawrence’s wife? Here’s everything to know about actress Samantha Cope and her relationship with the former teen idol.

She’s an animal lover

Samantha Cope Instagram

Cope isn’t just a proud dog mom to her two fur babies —Jaxand Dakota (whohas her own Instagram account) — she’s also an animal advocate.

She often volunteers at the nonprofit animal rescue Big Heart Ranch in Malibu, California. According toher bio on the foundation’s website, she is certified in equine therapy and spends her spare time saving and rehabilitating shelter pups.

She’s an actress

Anne Heche and Samantha Cope inFrankie Meets Jack(2023).MarVista Entertainment

She also played Brooke on season 2 of HBO’sInsecure, along with guest appearances onRizzoli & Isles,Master of None,WorkaholicsandNCIS: Los Angeles.

Her other film credits includeRevenge for Daddy(2020),An Organized Killer(2021) andLove at the Christmas Contest(2022).

She met Lawrence while filming a Lifetime movie

Joey Lawrence Instagram

Lawrence and Cope met in 2020 on the set of the Lifetime movieMy Husband’s Secret Brother, which premiered on the network on Sept. 17, 2021.

The couple also starred in and cowrote the 2023 Tubi originalFrankie Meets Jackwith Jen Bashian. Andrew pulled double duty as director and actor in the film, which follows the titular characters as they bond over their shared love of dogs.

Lawrence told PEOPLE in February 2023 that he and Cope are “super comfortable” working together on-screen.

“There’s a second hand there that [means] you don’t have to worry about anything,” he said. “There’s a lot of trust there, obviously a familiarity there. We met doing a movie, which is weird, because that’s never happened to me in my life, all the 41 years of doing this.”

Cope added, “It’s really great being on set with somebody that you can be super honest with. We give each other creative ideas.”

She got engaged to Lawrence in 2021

On Aug. 12, 2021, Lawrence confirmed he and Cope were engaged onInstagram, writing, “well…guess the cats outta the bag 😂🤍! We appreciate all the amazing support and kind words everybody has sent our way.”

He continued, “We are beyond excited to see what the future holds for us and to know we will grow old and super wrinkly together is the ultimate blessing.”

The engagement news came just over a year after Lawrence met Cope andfiled for divorcefrom his wife of nearly 15 years, Chandie Yawn-Nelson, with whom he sharesdaughters Charleston and Liberty. Lawrence was also previously married to Michelle Vella from 2002 through 2005.

Lawrence added, “Last year was just a brutal year for everybody, but personally, too, it was a brutal year. And then, when you least expect it, you meet the greatest person ever truly.”

She married Lawrence in May 2022

“From day one, it was such a safe place to be myself,” Cope told PEOPLE. “He loves everything about meand celebrates all those weird quirks about me. I was so blessed to be in a position to receive that. Two weeks in, I was like, ‘I will be with you forever.’ "

“When you meet the right person, if you’re lucky enough, it cuts to the chase so quick,” Lawrence added. “I have somebody who is like-minded and has the same love language, and we communicate the same way. That’s super important. And I am so thankful.”

She shares a daughter with Lawrence

Although Dylan Rose is the couple’s first child together, Lawrence is also the proud father of two daughters, Charleston and Liberty, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Chandie Yawn-Nelson.

She filed for divorce from Lawrence in August 2024 — but they’ve since reconciled

Copefiled for divorceon Aug. 13, 2024, and listed June 7, 2024, as the couple’s official date of separation. TheHorse Senseactorallegedly had an affairwith hisSocked In For Christmascostar Melina Alves.

“He love-bombed her just like he love-bombed Samantha. He continued to date Melina even after Samantha found out about it and confronted him,” a source told PEOPLE at the time.

Lawrence later spoke out about the affair allegations in a statement on Instagram, writing, “Melina and I became close friends and I did not have a physical relationship with her while filming the movieSocked in for Christmas. These rumors are false.”

In December 2024, Lawrence shocked fans when he seemingly announced his and Cope’s reconciliation onInstagram. He shared two loved-up photos of the couple and wrote: “I am beyond grateful. I am beyond blessed. I am galaxies beyond thankful.My heart is so full.”

source: people.com