Charles Shyer, who was Oscar-nominated for co-writing “Private Benjamin” with Nancy Meyers and went on to direct a string of hit comedies including “Father of the Bride” and “Baby Boom,” died Friday. He was 83.
His family said in a statement to 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.”
After Shyer’s collaboration with Meyers, whom he married the same year as “Private Benjamin” was released, the pair were Oscar-nominated for original screenplay along with Harvey Miller, kicking off a fruitful professional and personal relationship that produced some of the 1980s and ’90s most successful comedies.
Shyer directed “Baby Boom,” starring Diane Keaton, “Father of the Bride” with Steve Martin and Keaton, “Father of the Bride Part II” and “Irreconcilable Differences.”
Shyer and Meyers, who divorced in 1999, had their final collaboration with 1998’s hit “The Parent Trap,” starring Lindsay Lohan.
Shyer told Variety in a “Parent Trap” story in 2020, “This movie had the fantasy of getting your parents back together,” Shyer said. “So many kids come from broken homes. I did, and I think it fulfilled that dream for kids.”
Shyer then directed “The Affair of the Necklace” and co-wrote and directed 2004’s “Alfie,” starring Jude Law. He was set to co-write and direct an adaptation of the classic children’s book “Eloise in Paris,” but the project ended up being tabled.
His most recent directing credit was for Netflix’s 2022 Christmas movie “The Noel Diary,” while he also co-wrote last year’s “Best. Christmas. Ever,” directed by Mary Lambert.
Born in Los Angeles, Shyer’s filmmaker father Melville was a founding member of the DGA who had worked with D.W. Griffith. Shyer attended UCLA and got his start working with “The Odd Couple” producers Jerry Belson and Garry Marshall, eventually becoming head writer on the popular TV sitcom. He also wrote for “Happy Days,” “The Partridge Family” and “Barefoot in the Park” before moving into feature films.
His first feature credit came for writing Burt Reynolds starrer “Smokey and the Bandit” in 1977. He also wrote “House Calls” and “Goin’ South,” starring and directed by Jack Nicholson.
Shyer is survived by his daughters Hallie Meyers-Shyer, a director, Annie Meyers-Shyer and Sophia and son Jacob.