Oscar-Winner Jeremy Larner: A Legacy in Screenwriting and Political Speech

Jeremy Larner, Oscar-winning screenwriter of 'The Candidate', passed away at 88. Born in 1937, he graduated from Brandeis University and became known for his books, journalistic work, and political speechwriting. Larner's experience in political campaigns influenced his award-winning screenplay, leaving a lasting impact on film and politics.

Jeremy Larner, the celebrated screenwriter who clinched an Oscar for 'The Candidate', has died at the age of 88. His son confirmed the passing on February 24, at an Oakland nursing home. Despite battling lymphoma and Parkinson’s disease, the precise cause of death remains unknown, according to Deadline.

Born in Olean, New York, in 1937, Larner graduated from Brandeis University in 1958. He authored several books in the 1960s, including his debut novel 'Drive, He', which Jack Nicholson adapted into a film in 1971.

As a journalist, Larner contributed to esteemed publications such as Harpers, The Paris Review, and Life. He notably served as a speechwriter for Eugene McCarthy's 1968 presidential campaign, which inspired 'Nobody Knows', serialized by Harper's.

The campaign experience heavily influenced Larner's screenplay for the 1972 film 'The Candidate', starring Robert Redford. This script earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

In an interview, Larner remarked on his unique qualifications for 'The Candidate', noting his dual expertise as a screenwriter and presidential speechwriter. Beyond film, he penned speeches for figures like politician Bill Bradley and actor-activists Paul Newman and Redford.