Heidi Ferrer Dies: ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Writer & Longtime WGA Member Was 50

Heidi Ferrer, a longtime member of the WGA who penned episodes of Dawson’s Creek, Wasteland and more, has died. She was 50.

Her husband, screenwriter, director and producer Nick Guthe, told Deadline she took her own life May 26 following an unremitting battle with long-haul Covid-19.

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Ferrer contracted the virus in April 2020, subsequently seeing her health deteriorate steadily. By May 2021, she was bedridden and in constant physical pain, suffering from severe neurological tremors and numerous other worsening symptoms.

Born on May 28, 1970 in Salina, KS, Ferrer initially set out to pursue a career in acting when she moved to Los Angeles in the in the late ’80s, studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. A few years later, though, she began to pursue screenwriting.

Without a college education, she managed to sell her first spec, The C Word, to Academy Award-winning producer Arnold Kopelson. Ferrer then continued to sell scripts and pitches and do rewrites for major studios while building a career in TV.

In this arena, she notably collaborated with producers Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec on the WB’s hit coming-of-age drama Dawson’s Creek and ABC’s Wasteland.

The 24-year WGA member also scripted Princess, a family telefilm which debuted on ABC in 2008 and continued to be played for many years.

Outside of film and TV, Ferrer was also a successful blogger, starting the site http://www.GirlToMom.com in 2008, to document her infant son’s battle with progressive infantile scoliosis. While Ferrer eventually decided to include her comedic writing on the blog as well, she was recognized during her life as a passionate advocate for progressive infantile scoliosis awareness.

After seeing her blog gain a large following, she was invited to speak at the 2014 BlogHer Conference. Notably, she also received the Infantile Scoliosis Outreach Project’s National Hero Award in 2010. Recently, the organization named a permanent annual Parent Initiative Award after Ferrer, in her memory.

Along with her husband, Ferrer is survived by her 13-year-old son, Bexon; her mother, Nancy Gilmore; and sisters Laura Frerer-Schmidt and Sierra Summerville.

While memorial plans have not been set, but contributions to the Infantile Scoliosis Outreach Project can be made in Ferrer’s name by clicking here.

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