Veteran Writer-Producer Eric Preven Passes Away at 62

Studio City, CA – Eric Preven, a respected writer and producer known for his work on the daytime drama Santa Barbara and the sitcom Reba, passed away on November 8 at the age of 62. His death was confirmed by CityWatch LA, which reported he suffered an apparent heart attack at his home.

Preven began his career in 1988 as an assistant producer on the NBC soap opera Santa Barbara, where he quickly rose to become an associate producer and later a coordinating producer. His contributions to television spanned decades, including stints on FOX’s Partners and Boston Common, as well as Something So Right and Holding the Baby.

In the late 1990s, Preven gained recognition for his work on The WB’s Popular, where he wrote and produced several episodes. By 2002, he joined the cast and crew of Reba as a consulting producer and was elevated to supervising producer for the show’s second season.

His final television credit was as a producer on the 2009 telefilm A Year with Freeway Rick Ross. Beyond his work in entertainment, Preven was known for his civic activism in Los Angeles, often speaking out on issues like homelessness and government transparency. He even made an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2017.

Preven leaves behind his brother, Joshua; sister, Anne; parents, Ruth and David; and two children, Isaac and Reva. Tributes from friends and fans have poured in, remembering him as a dedicated talent and passionate advocate for his community.