Nancy Meyers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nancy Meyers
Meyers in 2013
Born	Nancy Jane Meyers (1949-12-08) December 8, 1949 (age 75) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma mater	American University
Occupation	Filmmaker
Years active	1972–present
Spouse(s)	Charles Shyer ​ ​ (m. 1980; div. 1999)​
Children	2; including Hallie Meyers-Shyer

Nancy Jane Meyers, born on December 8, 1949, is a famous American filmmaker. She is known for writing, producing, and directing many popular movies. Her films have been enjoyed by many people and have also received good reviews from critics.

She was nominated for an Academy Award for her work on the film Private Benjamin (1980). Her movie Baby Boom (1987) was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Nancy Meyers also helped write Father of the Bride (1991) and Father of the Bride Part II (1995). She wrote and directed other well-known films like The Parent Trap (1998), What Women Want (2000), Something's Gotta Give (2003), The Holiday (2006), It's Complicated (2009), and The Intern (2015).

Nancy Meyers was married to filmmaker Charles Shyer. They have two daughters, including filmmaker Hallie Meyers-Shyer.

Early Life and Education

Nancy Meyers was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father, Irving Meyers, worked for a company that made voting machines. Her mother, Patricia Meyers, was an interior designer. She also volunteered for programs like Head Start Program. Nancy was the younger of two daughters. She grew up in a Jewish family in the Drexel Hill area.

When she was twelve, Nancy read a book called Act One. This book was written by a playwright named Moss Hart. It made her interested in theater. She started acting in plays in her local area. Later, in 1967, she saw the movie The Graduate. This film made her want to write screenplays for movies.

Nancy went to Lower Merion High School. In 1970, she graduated from American University. She earned a degree in journalism.

Career Highlights

After college, Nancy Meyers worked in public television in Philadelphia for a year. When she was 22, she moved to Los Angeles. She lived with her sister, Sally. Soon, she got a job as a production assistant. This was for the CBS game show The Price Is Right.

Nancy was inspired by the TV show The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She decided she wanted to write. She became a story editor. This job meant reading scripts and helping screenwriters. She worked for producer Ray Stark's company, Rastar. She learned a lot and eventually started writing her own scripts. Two years after moving to Los Angeles, she quit her job. She wanted to focus on becoming a screenwriter. To support herself, she even started a small cheesecake business.

Early Films and Success

In the late 1970s, Nancy Meyers began working with Charles Shyer. They became friends. With Harvey Miller, they wrote the comedy Private Benjamin (1980). This movie is about a young woman who joins the U.S. Army. Actress Goldie Hawn starred in the film. She also helped produce it with Meyers and Shyer.

It was hard to get the movie made. Many studios turned it down. But Private Benjamin became a huge hit in 1980. It made almost $70 million. This was a lot of money at the time. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing. It also won a Writers Guild of America Award. The movie was so popular that it even led to a TV show.

Meyers and Shyer then worked on Irreconcilable Differences (1984). This was Charles Shyer's first time directing. The film starred Shelley Long, Ryan O'Neal, and a young Drew Barrymore. It was a moderate success and received several Golden Globe nominations. In 1984, they also wrote Protocol, another comedy with Goldie Hawn.

Nancy Meyers returned to producing with Baby Boom (1987). This film is about a New York City executive who suddenly becomes a guardian to a baby. It was her first time working with actress Diane Keaton. The movie was inspired by real-life challenges of balancing a career and family. Baby Boom was well-liked by critics and audiences. It was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Like Private Benjamin, it also inspired a TV show.

Directorial Debut and Major Hits

In 1990, Meyers and Shyer worked with Diane Keaton again. They remade the 1950 film Father of the Bride. Their 1991 version starred Steve Martin. It was a big success, earning $90 million worldwide. They made a sequel, Father of the Bride Part II, in 1995. This film also did very well.

Nancy Meyers made her directing debut with The Parent Trap (1998). This was a remake of the 1961 movie. It starred Lindsay Lohan in her first movie role. She played twin sisters who try to reunite their divorced parents. The film was praised by critics. It earned $92 million around the world.

After The Parent Trap, Nancy Meyers directed What Women Want (2000). This movie starred Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt. It's about a man who can suddenly hear what women are thinking. The film became the most successful movie ever directed by a woman at that time. It made over $370 million worldwide.

Later Works

Nancy Meyers then wrote and directed Something's Gotta Give (2003). This romantic comedy starred Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. They played older characters who find love. Some thought the actors were too old for a romantic comedy. But the film became a surprise hit. It earned over $266 million worldwide.

Her next film was The Holiday (2006). This romantic comedy starred Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet. They play two women who swap homes to escape heartbreak. Jude Law and Jack Black also starred. The movie was a global success, making $205 million worldwide. It won a Teen Choice Award for "Chick Flick."

In 2009, Meyers' film It's Complicated was released. It starred Meryl Streep as a bakery owner. She starts a secret relationship with her ex-husband, played by Alec Baldwin. Steve Martin also stars as another man she is drawn to. The film was a big commercial hit. It earned over $219 million worldwide. It's Complicated earned Nancy Meyers two Golden Globe nominations.

In 2015, Nancy Meyers directed The Intern. This comedy is about a fashion company founder. She starts a program where older people can intern at her firm. The film starred Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro.

Nancy Meyers also produced Home Again (2017). This film was directed by her daughter, Hallie Meyers-Shyer. In 2020, Nancy Meyers wrote and directed a short "mini-sequel" called Father of the Bride Part 3(ish). It showed the family having a reunion over Zoom. The film helped raise money for charity.

Directing Style

Nancy Meyers is known for her unique directing style. She is influenced by classic "screwball comedies" from the 1930s and 1940s. Her films often focus on women in their middle age. These women face challenges balancing their personal lives and careers.

Meyers' films are also known for their beautiful sets. She pays great attention to details. Her movies often feature luxurious homes and amazing kitchens. Nancy Meyers says these beautiful settings show that her main characters are successful women. They can afford to create comfortable and beautiful spaces for themselves. She celebrates women over 40 in Hollywood.

Impact on Filmmaking

Nancy Meyers has had a big impact on the film industry. She is seen as one of the most important female filmmakers in romantic comedies. This is because of her recognizable style and the small number of female directors in Hollywood. She is one of only a few female filmmakers featured on Disney+.

Her films are very popular. Many people feel a sense of nostalgia when they watch her movies. In her later films, she showed older women on screen. This helped make the genre even more popular. Actors who have worked with her, like Reese Witherspoon, say she has influenced them.

Personal Life

Nancy Meyers married Charles Shyer in 1980. They had been together since 1976. They later separated in 1999 and divorced. They have two daughters, Annie Meyers-Shyer and Hallie Meyers-Shyer. Both of their daughters have had small roles in their parents' films. Nancy Meyers lives in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Nancy Meyers para niños