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Jeremy Larner, the screenwriter who won an Academy Award for the film The Candidate, starring Robert Redford, has died at the age of 88. His son, Jesse Larner, announced that his father passed away on February 24 at a care center in Oakland, California, following a period of illness.
Larner drew on his experience as a speechwriter for former U.S. presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy's 1968 campaign, which directly influenced the screenplay of The Candidate, released in 1972. The film tells the story of an idealistic young liberal who runs for office in California, highlighting the political struggles he faces.
Distinguished Artistic Career
In addition to The Candidate, Larner wrote the screenplay for Drive, He Said in 1971, adapted from his own novel of the same name. This film marked actor Jack Nicholson's directorial debut. Larner also worked as a journalist and novelist, authoring several books and articles addressing political and social issues.
Larner joined McCarthy's campaign in March 1968, during McCarthy's effort to end U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Following pivotal political events such as President Lyndon Johnson's withdrawal from the race and the assassination of Robert Kennedy, Vice President Hubert Humphrey secured the Democratic Party nomination.
The Significance of His Artistic Legacy
Larner is considered one of the few writers who combined firsthand political experience with cinematic storytelling, lending authenticity and depth to his exploration of political and social themes. In interviews, he expressed his view of politicians as movie stars playing roles larger than their real lives—a concept brilliantly captured in The Candidate.
Jeremy David Larner was born on March 20, 1937, in Indianapolis. He studied at Brandeis University and the University of California, Berkeley. He began his career as a journalist in New York before moving to Hollywood, where he made a lasting impact on the film industry.
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