5 Surprising Facts About Van And Cheyenne's Real-Life Relationship: Did Steve Howey And JoAnna Garcia Swisher Ever Date?

The on-screen chemistry between Van Montgomery and Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery on the beloved early 2000s sitcom Reba was undeniable, leading millions of fans to wonder if the actors behind the iconic couple were dating in real life. As of late 2025, the curiosity surrounding Steve Howey and JoAnna Garcia Swisher’s relationship remains a major search query, especially with the recent buzz around a potential Reba cast reunion.

The short and definitive answer is no: Steve Howey and JoAnna Garcia Swisher were never a real-life couple. Their intense, yet comedic, relationship as the teenage parents of Elizabeth Montgomery was purely professional. However, the connection they forged has proven to be as enduring as their fictional marriage, evolving into a deep and supportive friendship that continues to this day, evidenced by their recent work on the new Reba McEntire-led sitcom, Happy's Place.

The Real-Life Partners and Complete Biographies of the 'Reba' Co-Stars

The actors who brought Van and Cheyenne to life have both gone on to have high-profile careers and established families, with their personal lives diverging significantly from their shared on-screen history. Understanding their individual journeys provides the clearest picture of why the dating rumors were always just fan speculation.

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Steve Howey (Van Montgomery) Biography

• Full Name: Steven Michael Robert Howey
• Date of Birth: July 12, 1977
• Place of Birth: San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
• Notable Roles: Van Montgomery on Reba (2001–2007), Kevin Ball on the Showtime series Shameless (2011–2021), and the titular role in the film Stan Helsing.
• Marital Status & Family: Howey married actress Sarah Shahi in 2009. The couple, who met on the set of Reba's spin-off pilot, had three children together—son Knox Blue Howey and twins Violet Moon Howey and William Wolf Howey—before filing for divorce in 2020, which was finalized in 2021.
• Current Projects: Following his decade-long run on Shameless, Howey has been featured in the new multi-camera comedy, Happy's Place, alongside his former co-stars.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery) Biography

• Full Name: JoAnna García Swisher
• Date of Birth: August 10, 1979
• Place of Birth: Tampa, Florida, U.S.
• Notable Roles: Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery on Reba, Sam in Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and most recently, Maddie Townsend on the popular Netflix series Sweet Magnolias. She also hosts the reality series The Ultimatum: Queer Love.
• Marital Status & Family: Swisher is happily married to former Major League Baseball (MLB) star Nick Swisher. They tied the knot in December 2010 in Palm Beach, Florida. They share two daughters: Emerson Jay Swisher and Sailor Stevie Swisher.
• Current Projects: She is the star of the hit Sweet Magnolias series and has recently been announced as a guest star for the second season of Happy's Place, marking a reunion with her Reba family.

The Enduring Off-Screen Friendship and 'Unique Chemistry'

While the romantic rumors about the Reba co-stars were unfounded, the reality of their off-screen bond is arguably more heartwarming for fans. Both Howey and Swisher have consistently spoken about the deep affection and mutual respect they share, which is the true source of their magnetic on-screen dynamic as Van and Cheyenne.

The actors developed a genuine friendship during the six seasons of the show, which aired first on The WB and later on The CW. Their professional relationship was built on trust and a shared comedic sensibility, which allowed their characters to navigate everything from teenage pregnancy to career changes and marital struggles with believable sitcom chemistry.

In recent interviews, JoAnna Garcia Swisher has been candid about her bond with Steve Howey. She described their connection as "really special and unique chemistry that is just rare," emphasizing that she has "so much love for him." This genuine admiration is what fans picked up on, mistakenly translating it into a real-life romance.

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The fact that they remain close friends, even attending events together years after the show concluded, speaks volumes about the positive environment on the Reba set, which was famously led by country music icon Reba McEntire, who played Cheyenne's mother, Reba Hart.

The Latest 'Reba' Reunion News and Future Collaborations

The most compelling, up-to-date evidence of their enduring relationship comes from the recent wave of Reba cast reunions. This fresh information should excite any fan who misses the Van and Cheyenne dynamic.

The highly anticipated new NBC sitcom, Happy's Place, stars Reba McEntire and features several original Reba cast members. This new project has become the unofficial Reba revival that fans have been hoping for, providing a new stage for the co-stars to work together.

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Steve Howey was one of the first former cast members to join the new series, alongside Christopher Rich, who played Brock Hart, and Melissa Peterman, who played Barbra Jean. This first wave of reunions was a huge hit with viewers, showcasing that their comedic timing is still impeccable.

In an even more recent and exciting development, JoAnna Garcia Swisher has been confirmed to guest star in the second season of Happy's Place. This means that Van and Cheyenne—or rather, Steve Howey and JoAnna Garcia Swisher—will officially share the screen again in a new context, proving that their professional bond is as strong as ever.

The Sweet Magnolias Crossover Rumors That Sparked Fan Hopes

Beyond the Happy's Place reunion, there has been significant buzz about another potential collaboration that directly involves JoAnna Garcia Swisher's current major role as Maddie Townsend on the Netflix hit, Sweet Magnolias. This show, based on the novels by Sherryl Woods, is one of the most popular streaming series today.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher has openly discussed the possibility of Steve Howey making a cameo on Sweet Magnolias. She has stated that she would love to have him on the show, perhaps even playing a new love interest or a character from Maddie's past, effectively merging two of her most popular TV worlds.

While a cameo for Howey in Sweet Magnolias Season 5 or a future season hasn't been officially confirmed, Swisher’s enthusiastic support for the idea highlights the mutual desire to continue working together. This ongoing discussion is a testament to the powerful, non-romantic chemistry that initially fueled the "Did Van and Cheyenne date in real life?" question.

In the end, the captivating, humorous, and sometimes dramatic relationship between Van Montgomery and Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery was a testament to the exceptional acting and natural rapport between Steve Howey and JoAnna Garcia Swisher. Though they never dated, their enduring friendship and recent professional reunions on projects like Happy's Place confirm that the love and respect between the cast of Reba is very much real and still entertaining fans over two decades later.