'Dawson’s Creek' Author Heidi Ferrer Ends Her Life at 50 after Longtime COVID-19 Battle
Heidi Ferrer ended her life after she battled long haul COVID-19 for more than a year. She was a writer for "Dawson's Creek" and "Wasteland."
50-year-old Heidi Ferrer committed suicide and passed away on May 26. She fought long haul COVID-19 for 13 months, which left her bedridden, facing severe symptoms that were unceasing.
Ferrer contracted the novel virus in April 2020 and never fully recovered. She experienced a worsening of symptoms as time went on, with severe fatigue and neurological tremors taking their toll on her body.
The cast of television's "Dawson's Creek" poses for a photo. James Van Der Beek stands in the back row. In the middle row from left to right are Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson, Meredith Monroe and Kerr Smith. Katie Holmes sits in front. | Getty Images
WRITING WORK
Ferrer was a well-known writer in Hollywood with her work on the teen series "Dawson's Creek" and ABC's "Wasteland" solidifying her place within the writers' sphere.
In the wake of her death, Ferrer's husband, Nick Guthe, who is also a screenwriter, director, and producer, took to Twitter to share the sad news of her passing. He wrote:
"My beautiful angel, Heidi, passed over tonight after a 13 month battle with Long Haul Covid. She was an amazing mother. She fought this insidious disease with the same ferocity she lived with."
MAKING HER START
Ferrer started in Hollywood when she moved to Los Angeles in the 80s to pursue an acting career. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and eventually found her place in the industry as a screenwriter.
A fellow writer, Terrence McNally also passed away after contracting COVID-19.
Ferrer broke into the market when she sold her spec "The C Word" to Arnold Kopelson. She continued to work on scripts and rewrites, collaborating with Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec on "Dawson's Creek".
NO END INSIGHT
Ferrer elaborated on her writing skills when she launched a very successful blog in 2008. She initially used the platform to write about her son's struggle with progressive infantile scoliosis but branched out to other topics.
In the midst of her battle with lang-haul COVID-19, Ferrer took to her blog to share her struggles and difficulties with the disease. She wrote:
"In my darkest moments, I told my husband that if I didn’t get better, I did not want to live like this. I wasn’t suicidal, I just couldn’t see any quality of life long term."
LOSING THE BATTLE
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on Hollywood, with Ferrer being amongst a long list of celebrities who have lost their fight to the novel virus.
A fellow writer, Terrence McNally, also passed away after contracting COVID-19. The four-time Tony Award-winning playwright died at the age of 81 on March 24.
54-year-old Maria Mercader, a CBS News reporter, passed away after testing positive for the virus. She worked in the journalism industry for more than three decades before COVID-19 took her life.
John Prine, a beloved folk and country songwriter, also died from complications after contracting the virus. He was 73 years old when he lost his battle on April 6.