Oscar Nominated Writer/Director Charles Shyer Dies; ‘Private Benjamin’, ‘Father Of The Bride’ Filmmaker Was 83

Oscar nominated screenwriter, director, and producer Charles Shyer whose films include Private Benjamin, Baby Boom, and the 1991 remake of Father Of The Bride and its 1995 sequel Father Of The Bride II died Friday. No cause of death was given. He was 83.

The Meyers-Shyer family shared this statement with Deadline: “It’s with an indescribably heavy heart that we share the news of our beloved father, Charles Shyer’s passing. His loss leaves an unfillable hole in our lives, but his legacy lives on through his children and the five decades of wonderful work he’s left behind. We honor the extraordinary life he led and know there will never be another quite like him.”

Shyer’s Oscar nomination, as well as a WGA awards win, came for the original screenplay for 1980’s comedy hit, Private Benjamin starring Goldie Hawn which he co-wrote with Nancy Meyers and Harvey Miller. His next few projects would see him teamed with Meyers, not only professionally but also personally as they married in 1990 and would go on to co-write Irreconcilable Differences starring Ryan O’Neal, Shelley Long and Drew Barrymore, Baby Boom starring Diane Keaton, Father Of The Bride I and II with Steve Martin and Keaton, and 1994’s I Love Trouble starring Nick Nolte and Julia Roberts. All of the latter films were directed by Shyer as the couple would become one of the most prolific teamings for comedy in the business up until their divorce in 1999 shortly after writing and producing the 1998 successful remake of Disney’s The Parent Trap which starred a young Lindsay Lohan in the roles of twins trying to bring their parents back together. Meyers took the directing reins on that one, and after their divorce in 1999 Shyer would set off on his own directing and producing the 2001 period piece The Affair Of The Necklace starring Hilary Swank, and the 2004 remake of Alfie with Jude Law in the title role of the film written, directed and produced by Shyer. His most recent credits include writing and directing the 2022 Netflix film The Noel Diary. and as co-writer and producer of the 2023 holiday film, Best Christmas Ever!

Earlier writing credits include 1977’s Smokey And The Bandit; 1978’s House Calls which earned him a Best Original Screenplay WGA nomination, and Goin’ South which starred Jack Nicholson. He also shared Story By credit with Meyers and Miller on the 1984 Hawn vehicle, Protocol which had a screenplay credited to Buck Henry.

A Los Angeles native, Shyer was practically born into the business as the son of Lois Delaney and Melville Shyer, a production executive and film director who worked with D.W. Griffith and was one of the founders of the Directors Guild Of America. After going to UCLA he won a DGA apprenticeship but soon segued into writing after becoming an assistant to Garry Marshall and Jerry Belson who were producing the hit TV series, The Odd Couple, later becoming head writer and associate producer.

Survivors include four children inlcuding filmmaker Hallie Meyers-Shyer.