Who Is Joey Lawrence’s Wife? All About Samantha Cope

Joey Lawrence knew right away that Samantha Cope was the one.

90s Heartthrob — Best known for Joey Russo’s roles on Flower and Joe Longo on Melissa & Joey — married Cope shortly after meeting her on the set of Lifetime’s My husband’s secret brotherdirected by Lawrence’s brother, Andrew.

The actor told PEOPLE in August 2021, “Coming off one of the most unpredictable years for anyone, none of us could have imagined the blessing of meeting our best friend and soulmate. But it happened!”

“Going to sleep every night laughing together is now the new normal,” he said. “And not only do we share a life together, but being able to create and work together is truly fulfilling. We’re beyond excited to see what the future holds.”

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

She is an animal lover

Samantha Cope on Instagram

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

He often volunteers at the non-profit animal rescue organization Big Heart Ranch in Malibu, California. According to her bio on the foundation’s website, she is certified in equine therapy and spends her free time rescuing and rehabilitating shelter cubs.

“It always annoys me how many people come up to me and say — ‘it really seems to me that you hang out with more animals than people!’ 😂TRUE,” Cope captioned a photo of herself holding a goat on Instagram in June 2020. “I’ve always found animals to be so therapeutic and special. Anyone else feel this way? #animalrescue.”

She is an actress

Enter Anne Heche and Samantha Cope Frankie meets Jack (2023). MarVista party

Both Cope and Lawrence are actors. Although she is best known for TV movies, Cope appeared in The WB drama Lake and Private, an adaptation of Kate Brian’s novel of the same name. She also played Brooke in HBO’s second season Uncertainwith guest appearances on Rizzoli & Isles, Master of None, workaholics and NCIS: Los Angeles.

Her other film credits include Revenge for dad (2020), An organized killer (2021) and Love at the Christmas contest (2022).

She met Lawrence on the set of a Lifetime movie

Joey Lawrence Instagram

Cope and Lawrence met in 2020 on the set of a Lifetime movie My husband’s secret brotherwhich premiered online on September 17, 2021.

“New movie airing on @lifetimemovies this week! #MyHusbandsSecretBrother (originally titled ‘[A] Deadly Deed’) will always have a special place in my heart. It was the movie that led me to my future husband,” Cope captioned an Instagram post of the movie’s poster in September 2021. “That incredible October morning… I was driving to work — about to start a new project, not knowing God had more bigger things in store.”

In addition to acting in My husband’s secret brotherr, Cope has collaborated with Lawrence (and his brothers) on several projects, including 2021. Mistletoe Mixup, directed by Lawrence’s brother Andrew, and featuring middle brother Matthew. The pair also starred in and co-wrote the 2023 original Tubi Frankie meets Jack with Jen Bashian. Andrew pulled double duty as director and actor in the film, which follows the main 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.

“That’s another hand there [means] you don’t have to worry about anything,” Lawrence said. “There’s a lot of trust there, obviously familiarity. We met while making a movie, which is strange, because that’s never happened in my life, in all the 41 years I’ve been doing this.”

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

She got engaged to Lawrence in 2021

Joey Lawrence Instagram

On August 12, 2021, Lawrence confirmed that he and Cope were engaged on Instagram, writing, “well… guess the cats out of the bag 😂🤍! We appreciate all the amazing support and kind words everyone has sent us.”

He continued, “We are beyond excited to see what the future holds and knowing that we will grow old together and be super wrinkled is the greatest blessing.”

News of the engagement comes just over a year after Lawrence met Cope and filed for divorce from his wife of nearly 15 years, Chandie Yawn-Nelson, with whom he shares daughters Charleston and Liberty. Lawrence was also married to Michelle Vella from 2002 to 2005.

“Life is an incredible journey,” he said during a guest appearance on People (TV show!) in 2021. “I was married for a very long time, married young and all, and then I had my children, who were great and are amazing, and then life is life and imperfect.”

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

She married Lawrence in May 2022

Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope. Photos by Kelly Paulson of WildWhim

Cope and Lawrence were married in a romantic outdoor ceremony at the Temecula Creek Inn in Temecula, Calif., on May 1, 2022. The couple exchanged vows surrounded by close friends and family, including the groom’s brothers, Matthew and Andrew, who both gave reception speeches for farm-to-table dinner.

“From day one, it was such a safe place for me to be myself,” Cope told PEOPLE. “He loves everything about me and celebrates all the weird things about me. I was so blessed to be in a position to receive that. Two weeks later, I said, ‘I’m going to be with you forever.’

“When you meet the right person, if you’re lucky enough, the search goes by so quickly,” Lawrence added. “I have someone who thinks the same way and has the same love language, and we communicate the same way. That’s super important. And I’m so grateful.”

She shares a daughter with Lawrence

Joey Lawrence Instagram

Cope and Lawrence welcomed a baby girl named Dylan Rose on January 16, 2023.

“We welcomed her into this world with the most amazing midwife, everyone is happy and healthy and we are overjoyed with gratitude 🙏🏼🤍,” Lawrence captioned a series of photos of their newborn. “Wow what a wonderful journey. thank you for all your love surrounding this beautiful new life! Stay tuned for baby spam xoxo.”

Although Dylan Rose is the couple’s first child together, Lawrence is also the proud father of two daughters, who he wrote are “all so smitten” with their little sister.

“I’m obsessed and she tolerates me,” Cope captioned a photo of herself holding her pink-clad baby in March 2023. “I guess I’ve already figured out #parenting 🫠💖”

She praised Lawrence for his “positive” attitude

Samantha Cope on Instagram

Cope and Lawrence are not afraid to let the public know how much they love each other.

“Life is so full of blessings, but also little unpredictable battles,” she wrote in a July 2021 gratitude post for Lawrence, alongside a sweet selfie of the couple. “I can’t thank you enough for staying positive even in the hardest times. You are my favorite baby #thankyou.”

Lawrence commented on the post, writing, “Honey… you are an amazing pillar of strength of love and kindness and you continue to amaze me every day,” Lawrence commented below. “Life is certainly a hard and unpredictable ride… but knowing that the rest of my ride will be with you — it’s all worth it. And you are truly my favorite baby. #gratitude 🤍.”

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Source: HIS Education