Charles Shyer was a filmmaker known for such movies as “Private Benjamin,” which he co-wrote and co-produced, and “Father of the Bride,” which he co-wrote and directed.
- Died: December 27, 2024 (Who else died on December 27?)
- Details of death: Died at a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 83.
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Charles Shyer’s legacy
Shyer had already gotten his start in the entertainment business by the late 1960s, working as an assistant director on movies and TV shows. But he deliberately took a step back in his career when he got a chance to work as an assistant to filmmaker Garry Marshall (1934–2016). The move meant a pay cut for the young L.A. native, but Shyer was happy to take it in exchange for the chance to work closely with Marshall. It was Marshall’s “The Odd Couple” era, and Shyer was able to write and produce episodes while learning from the great.
Having honed his screenwriting skills while working with Marshall, Shyer contributed to the screenplay for the 1977 hit “Smokey and the Bandit,” his first major movie. Even greater heights came with 1980’s “Private Benjamin.” The screenplay, co-written by Shyer, was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Writers Guild of America Award.
Shyer’s directorial debut came in 1984 with “Irreconcilable Differences,” which he co-wrote with his then-wife, Nancy Meyers. The pair also wrote “Baby Boom,” which Shyer directed. That acclaimed movie caught the eye of comic actor Steve Martin, who asked the filmmaker to direct a remake of the 1950 comedy, “Father of the Bride.” Shyer wasn’t impressed with the working screenplay, so he and Meyers rewrote it to great success. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Shyer and Meyers continued to work together until their 1999 divorce. They co-wrote “Once Upon a Crime,” “I Love Trouble,” and “Father of the Bride Part II,” and the latter were directed by Shyer. Their final collaboration was the 1998 remake of “The Parent Trap.” They wrote it together, and Meyers made her directorial debut at its helm.
Another high-profile remake was Shyer’s next project after his divorce; he co-wrote, directed, and produced the 2004 version of “Alfie.” Most recently, he co-wrote the 2023 Netflix rom-com, “Best. Christmas. Ever!”
Notable quote
“I’ve always found myself gravitating towards strong actresses, like Barbara Stanwyck, Irene Dunne, Roslyn Russell and Carole Lombard. Smart, fast-talking dames. I just always found them more interesting to write about than the macho guys. Their dilemmas always seemed more interesting.” — from a 2022 interview for Meet Cute
Tributes to Charles Shyer
Full obituary: Deadline
