Charles Schell, director of “Father of the Bride” and co-writer of “Private Benjamin,” Oscar-nominated, dies at 83
Charles Schell, who was nominated for an Oscar for co-writing “Private Benjamin” and directed such hit films as “Father of the Bride” and “Baby Boom,” has died. He is 83 years old.
Scheer’s rep confirmed the filmmaker’s death to Fox News Digital on Saturday. His daughter, Hallie Meyers-Shyer, with his former collaborator and ex-wife Nancy Meyers, told The Hollywood Reporter that her father died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a brief illness.
“It is with an indescribable heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our beloved father, Charles Schell,” the Meyers-Shell family wrote in a statement shared by Deadline.
“Father of the Bride” director Charles Sher has died at the age of 83. (Jesse Grant/WireImage for Star Magazine)
They continued: “His death has left a hole in our lives that cannot be filled, but his legacy lives on through his children and the five decades of wonderful work he left behind. We pay tribute to the life he lived. Pay homage to an extraordinary life and know that there will never be another like him.”
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In 1979, Sher co-wrote the comedy Private Benjamin with Meyers and screenwriter Harvey Miller, and co-produced the film with the film’s star Goldie Hawn.
Sher, Meyers and Miller’s script was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Comedy and an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, and the film was a huge box office success.
Hawn’s performance earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination, while the late Erin Brennan was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
Private Benjamin premiered in 1980, the same year Schell and Meyers tied the knot in Rome. The former couple reunited in 1984 for the comedy “Irreconcilable Differences,” starring Ryan O’Neal, Shelly Long and Drew Barrymore.
Sher made his directorial debut with the film, which the two co-wrote.
Nancy Meyers collaborated with Sher on a series of hit movies. (Presley Ann/Getty Images for TCM)
Sher and Meyers’ next collaboration was the 1987 romantic comedy “Boomer,” starring Diane Keaton. The film’s script was co-written by the two and directed by Sher. “Baby Boom” was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy or Musical, while Keaton won for Best Actress.
Meyers and Schell later created a sitcom of the same name based on the film, which was released in 1988-1989.
The former couple’s path to success continued when they released a remake of Vincente Minnelli’s 1950 comedy Father of the Bride. The 1990 hit version of Father of the Bride was directed by Sher and starred Steve Martin, Keaton, Kimberly Williams and Martin Short. He also co-wrote the screenplay with Meyers, Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett.
The former couple collaborated on the 1994 film “I Love Trouble,” which the pair wrote and Sher directed.
The former couple teamed up for a remake of Father of the Bride. (Touchstone/Getty Images)
In 1995, Sher and Meyers reunited for the sequel Father of the Bride II. They co-wrote the script and Schell directed.
Meyers made her directorial debut in 1998 with the hit romantic comedy The Parent Trap, starring Lindsay Lohan as long-lost twin sisters who plot to reunite their parents. Sher produced the film and co-wrote it with Meyers and David Swift.
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The Parent Trap marked the final collaboration between Schell and Meyers, who divorced in 1999.
In 2001, Sher directed and co-produced the historical drama “The Necklace,” starring Hilary Swank.
He then wrote, directed and produced the 2004 remake of the 1966 film Alfie. The film stars Jude Law and also stars Susan Sarandon and Sienna Miller.
Shyer’s last project is the 2022 Netflix film Noel’s Diary. (Charlie Gallet/Netflix Getty Images)
Sher directed and co-wrote the 2022 Netflix Christmas romantic comedy Noel’s Diary. Christmas. forever!
Shyer was born in Los Angeles on October 11, 1941, the son of production executive and director Melville Shyer and Lois Delaney. Co-founder of the Directors Guild of America. Schell later attended UCLA and became a production assistant on the television show “The Odd Couple” with Garry Marshall and Jerry Belson. He was later named head writer and associate producer of the hit series.
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Schell won his first feature screenwriting credit in 1977 for “Smokey and the Bandit,” starring Burt Reynolds. He co-wrote the screenplay for Jack Nicholson’s 1978 film “Down South,” which he also starred in and directed.
Shyer’s daughter, Hallie Meyers-Shyer, followed in her parents’ footsteps. (Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images)
The filmmaker’s first major honor came when he was nominated for a WGA Award for Best Screenplay for 1978’s “House”, which he co-wrote.
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Schell was married to actress Debra Ewing from 1969 to 1974.
Hallie Meyers-Shyer followed in her parents’ footsteps by directing and co-writing the 2017 comedy Home Again, starring Reese Witherspoon. Meyers and Schell also have a daughter, Anne Meyers-Shell.
He is survived by Halle and Anne, and twins Jacob and Sophia, whom he shared with Lynn.
