Charles Shyer

Born: October 11 1941
Where: Los Angeles, California, USA

Once part of the husband and wife team which produced movies including Private Benjamin and Father of the Bride, Shyer struck out with the remake of Alfie.

Born into the film industry, he attended University College Los Angeles and worked behind the scenes as an assistant director and production manager.

Switching to TV writing, he became chief scriptwriter on The Odd Couple in the 1970s before moving onto feature work.

He shared screenplay credits on the smash hit Smokey and the Bandit, Jack Nicholson's Goin' South and House Calls.

When he met future wife Nancy Meyers she was working as a story editor for producer Ray Stark and was friendly with struggling actress Goldie Hawn.

Together with Harvey Miller they wrote Private Benjamin as a vehicle for Hawn and it went on to earn them an Oscar nomination.

Good box office allowed them to strike a deal to, write, direct, and produce 1984's Irreconcilable Differences, which featured Ryan O'Neal.

They continued to divide the movie chores with Shyer directing and Meyers producing and had success with Baby Boom, Father of the Bride and The Parent Trap.

After they split up Shyer continued directing wih the lacklustre period piece The Affair of the Necklace with Hilary Swank.

Recent work includes the remake of the classic movie Alfie with Jude Law taking the role made famous by Michael Caine.