The Third Time's The Charm: Inside Joey Lawrence's Marriage To Samantha Cope And Their Recent Reconciliation Drama

The iconic '90s heartthrob, Joey Lawrence, is currently married to actress Samantha Cope, a relationship that has captivated fans since they first met on a movie set. As of December 18, 2025, the couple remains together, having tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in May 2022. Their union marks the third marriage for the former Blossom star, and it has recently been in the headlines following a brief, public separation and subsequent reconciliation in late 2024, proving that even Hollywood love stories come with unexpected twists.

This deep dive explores the full timeline of Joey Lawrence’s marriages, focusing on his current, high-profile relationship with Samantha Cope, the birth of their daughter, and the recent drama that has kept the couple firmly in the spotlight.

Joey Lawrence: A Comprehensive Biography and Marital History

Joseph Lawrence Mignogna III, known professionally as Joey Lawrence, has been a fixture in American entertainment for over four decades, transitioning from a child star to a versatile actor, musician, and television host. His personal life, particularly his marriages, has often been a topic of public interest.

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• Full Name: Joseph Lawrence Mignogna III
• Date of Birth: April 20, 1976
• Place of Birth: Abington, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Musician, Singer-Songwriter, Record Producer, Podcaster, Game Show Host
• Active Years: 1981–Present
• Notable Roles: Joey Donavan on Gimme a Break!, Joey Russo on Blossom, Joe Roman on Brotherly Love, and Joe Longo on Melissa & Joey.
• Siblings: Actors Matthew Lawrence and Andrew Lawrence (known collectively as the Lawrence Brothers).
• First Marriage: Michelle Vella (m. 2002; div. 2005)
• Second Marriage: Chandie Yawn-Nelson (m. 2005; div. 2020)
• Third Marriage (Current): Samantha Cope (m. May 1, 2022)
• Children: Charleston "Charli" Lawrence and Liberty Grace Lawrence (with Chandie Yawn-Nelson), and Dylan Lawrence (with Samantha Cope).

Lawrence's career highlights include his early success on Blossom, where his catchphrase "Whoa!" became a cultural phenomenon. He later starred alongside his real-life brothers in the sitcom Brotherly Love and achieved renewed popularity in the 2010s with the ABC Family sitcom Melissa & Joey, opposite Melissa Joan Hart.

The Fairytale Start: How Joey Met Samantha Cope

Joey Lawrence's path to his third marriage began in 2020, following his separation from his second wife, Chandie Yawn-Nelson, after 15 years of marriage. He met his future wife, actress Samantha Cope, on the set of the Lifetime movie My Husband's Secret Brother.

Their connection was immediate and profound, blossoming quickly from an on-set friendship to a deep romantic relationship. Cope, a talented actress known for her roles in various television movies and series, shared a similar professional background and a mutual passion for animals with Lawrence.

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The couple announced their engagement in August 2021, less than a year after meeting. Lawrence often spoke about Cope being his "person," expressing a deep sense of gratitude and stability he found in their relationship. The engagement marked a new, hopeful chapter for the veteran actor.

The Intimate Temecula Creek Inn Wedding

Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope officially became husband and wife on Sunday, May 1, 2022. The ceremony was an intimate, romantic, outdoor affair held at the Temecula Creek Inn in Temecula, California.

The wedding was a small gathering of close family and friends, including Lawrence's two daughters from his previous marriage, Charleston and Liberty. The ambiance was described as relaxed and joyful, reflecting the couple's desire for a low-key, heartfelt celebration. Cope's dress was a stunning, elegant gown, while Lawrence looked dapper in a classic suit.

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Following the nuptials, Lawrence expressed his overwhelming happiness, noting that the marriage "just feels so right," and he felt incredibly thankful to have found his true love in Samantha Cope.

A Growing Family and The Shocking 2024 Split and Reconciliation

The first few years of Joey and Samantha's marriage were filled with joy, most notably the arrival of their first child together. In January 2023, the couple welcomed their daughter, Dylan Lawrence.

Dylan is Joey Lawrence's third child, joining her older half-sisters, Charleston (born in 2006) and Liberty (born in 2010), from his marriage to Chandie Yawn-Nelson. Lawrence has been open about the challenges and rewards of co-parenting his two older daughters while navigating life with a new baby and a new wife.

The August 2024 Divorce Filing

In a surprising turn of events that shocked fans and media, news broke in August 2024 that Samantha Cope had filed for divorce from Joey Lawrence. The filing came as a complete surprise to the public, especially given their recent marriage and the birth of their daughter. While details surrounding the initial reason for the split were kept private, the news quickly became a major headline.

This development was particularly newsworthy because it would have marked the end of Lawrence's third marriage in just over two years. Fans speculated widely about the pressures of co-parenting, the demands of their careers, and the challenges of blending families.

Making Things Work: The Reconciliation

However, the story took another dramatic twist shortly after the filing. Sources close to the couple and public reports indicated that Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope had reconciled. The couple decided to put a halt to the divorce proceedings and focus on repairing their marriage and family.

Lawrence later made rare public comments about the situation, acknowledging the difficulties they faced but emphasizing their commitment to each other. He spoke about the effort required to make a marriage work, especially with a young child, and how they were actively working through their issues to maintain their family unit. This decision to reconcile, despite the public nature of the divorce filing, demonstrated a strong commitment to their relationship and their daughter Dylan.

Joey Lawrence’s Marriages: A Timeline of Love and Family

Joey Lawrence’s personal journey is defined by his three significant marriages, each contributing to his life as a father and a public figure. His commitment to family has remained a constant, even as his romantic relationships have evolved.

• First Marriage (2002–2005): Michelle Vella. Lawrence married actress Michelle Vella in 2002. The marriage was brief, ending in divorce just three years later.
• Second Marriage (2005–2020): Chandie Yawn-Nelson. Lawrence met Chandie Yawn-Nelson on a trip to Disney World when they were teenagers, but they reconnected years later. They married in 2005 and had two daughters, Charleston and Liberty. After 15 years, their marriage ended with a divorce filing in 2020, which was finalized shortly before his engagement to Samantha Cope.
• Third Marriage (2022–Present): Samantha Cope. The current chapter, marked by a whirlwind romance, a 2022 wedding, the birth of their daughter Dylan, and the recent, successful effort to reconcile after a brief separation.

The journey from a beloved teen idol to a father of three, navigating the complexities of multiple marriages and co-parenting, keeps Joey Lawrence a relevant and relatable figure in the entertainment world. His dedication to his career, which includes recent projects like Christmas movies and his ongoing work as a musician and podcaster, continues alongside his commitment to his wife, Samantha Cope, and their blended family.

For now, Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope are focused on their future, having overcome a major hurdle in their relationship. Their story serves as a testament to the fact that love sometimes requires a public fight and a private commitment to make things work.