Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nancy Meyers
Discover the career path of Nancy Meyers, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Nancy Meyers is a celebrated American filmmaker, writer, and producer known for defining the modern romantic comedy genre. Rising to prominence with hits like The Parent Trap (1998) and What Women Want (2000), she established a signature aesthetic characterized by sophisticated, aspirational domestic interiors and complex, relatable female protagonists. Her films often explore themes of career, motherhood, and mid-life transitions with a blend of humor, warmth, and emotional intelligence. Throughout her career, Meyers has been credited with humanizing affluent characters while maintaining high production values, solidifying her status as a powerhouse in Hollywood. Her work has left a significant cultural imprint, influencing the visual style of contemporary film and inspiring numerous filmmakers with her distinct, comfortable, and elegant storytelling approach.
1967: Discovery of Screenwriting Interest
In 1967, Nancy Meyers developed a professional interest in the craft of screenwriting after watching Mike Nichols' film The Graduate.
1970: College Graduation
Nancy Meyers completed her formal education in 1970 when she graduated from American University with a degree in journalism.
1980: Academy Award Nomination for Private Benjamin
In 1980, Nancy Meyers received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for her work on the film Private Benjamin.
1980: Release of Private Benjamin
In 1980, the comedy film Private Benjamin, written by Nancy Meyers, Charles Shyer, and Harvey Miller, was released to theaters, becoming a major box-office success despite industry doubts and earning several award nominations and a Writers Guild of America Award.
1981: Premiere of Private Benjamin television series
In 1981, the television adaptation of the film Private Benjamin began airing, eventually winning a Golden Globe award during its run.
1983: Conclusion of Private Benjamin television series
The television series based on the 1980 film Private Benjamin concluded its broadcast run in 1983.
1984: Release of Irreconcilable Differences and Protocol
In 1984, Nancy Meyers saw the release of two major projects. She co-wrote 'Irreconcilable Differences', which marked Charles Shyer's directorial debut and earned Golden Globe nominations despite a moderate box office return. Additionally, in 1984, Meyers co-wrote the screenplay for 'Protocol', a comedy starring Goldie Hawn that faced production tensions and a script overhaul, ultimately performing better at the box office than her previous 1984 release.
1987: Golden Globe Nomination for Baby Boom
During 1987, the film Baby Boom, written and produced by Meyers, was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.
1987: Release of Baby Boom
In 1987, Nancy Meyers returned to producing with the film Baby Boom, which depicted the life of a New York City executive becoming an unexpected guardian. The project, which served as her first collaboration with Diane Keaton, was inspired by real-life experiences Meyers and Charles Shyer shared regarding balancing careers and family. The film was well-received, earned a Golden Globe nomination, and spawned a television spin-off.
1990: Remake of Father of the Bride
In 1990, Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer collaborated to develop a remake of the 1950 film Father of the Bride, reuniting with actress Diane Keaton for the project.
1991: Script Writing and Consulting Work
In 1991, Nancy Meyers contributed to the script for the ensemble comedy Once Upon a Crime and served as a script doctor for the Whoopi Goldberg comedy Sister Act.
1991: Release of Father of the Bride
In 1991, Nancy Meyers served as a co-writer for the film Father of the Bride.
1992: Release of 1992 Projects
The films Once Upon a Crime and Sister Act, both featuring script contributions from Nancy Meyers, were released in 1992.
1994: Release of I Love Trouble
In 1994, the comedy thriller I Love Trouble, written by Meyers and Shyer and starring Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte, was released, earning over $30 million in the United States despite negative critical reception.
1995: Release of Father of the Bride Part II
In 1995, Nancy Meyers acted as a co-writer for the production Father of the Bride Part II.
1996: Passing on The First Wives Club
In 1996, Nancy Meyers declined an offer from Paramount CEO Sherry Lansing to direct the hit comedy film The First Wives Club.
1997: Signing with Walt Disney Pictures
In 1997, Nancy Meyers solidified her professional path by signing a development deal with Walt Disney Pictures, setting the stage for her directorial debut.
1998: Release of The Parent Trap
In 1998, Nancy Meyers both wrote and directed the film The Parent Trap.
1998: Directorial Debut with The Parent Trap
In 1998, Nancy Meyers made her directorial debut with the release of The Parent Trap, a film starring Lindsay Lohan that grossed $92 million worldwide.
1998: Development of Head Games
In 1998, following the success of The Parent Trap, Nancy Meyers was approached by Disney's Touchstone Pictures chairman Joe Roth to develop a script called Head Games, a project originally conceived by Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith about a man who could hear women's thoughts.
January 2000: Disney dismisses Head Games
In January 2000, following the departure of studio chairman Joe Roth, Disney opted to drop the film project Head Games, which subsequently moved to Paramount Pictures for development.
2000: Release of What Women Want
Nancy Meyers wrote and directed the film What Women Want, which was released in 2000.
2003: Release of Something's Gotta Give
In 2003, Nancy Meyers served as both writer and director for the film Something's Gotta Give.
2005: Waverly Films signs deal with Sony
In 2005, Nancy Meyers' production company, Waverly Films, officially entered into a business agreement with Sony.
2006: Release of The Holiday
In 2006, Nancy Meyers released the romantic comedy film The Holiday, which featured Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as two women who swap homes during the Christmas season to cope with heartbreak; the movie achieved a global box office success of $205 million.
2009: Release of It's Complicated
In 2009, Nancy Meyers released the film It's Complicated, which starred Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin. The movie, which followed a single mother navigating a love triangle with her ex-husband and a new architect, opened on Christmas Day in the United States and became a significant commercial success for Meyers.
January 2010: Commercial success of It's Complicated continues
Throughout January 2010, the film It's Complicated continued to perform well in theaters following its late 2009 release. The project ultimately proved to be a financial hit, eventually grossing over $219 million worldwide and earning Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Screenplay.
2012: Development of The Chelsea
In 2012, Nancy Meyers announced plans to direct an ensemble dramedy titled The Chelsea, written by her daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer and intended to star Felicity Jones, though the project ultimately did not move forward.
2014: Casting Changes for The Intern
In 2014, Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro were officially cast to replace Reese Witherspoon and Michael Caine in the film The Intern.
September 2015: Project Announcement with Steve Martin
In September 2015, Nancy Meyers publicly announced that she would be collaborating with Steve Martin once again for an upcoming film project that she would be directing.
2015: Release of The Intern
In 2015, Nancy Meyers released the comedy film The Intern, which follows the founder of a fashion e-commerce company who initiates a senior internship program.
2017: Production of Home Again
In 2017, Nancy Meyers served as a producer for the film Home Again, which marked the directorial debut of her daughter, Hallie Meyers-Shyer, and starred actress Reese Witherspoon.
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