Celebrated Screenwriter Jeremy Larner Dies at 88

Jeremy Larner, a man celebrated for his profound contributions to screenwriting and literature, passed away at the age of eighty-eight on March 6, 2026. His death came ten days after he was officially declared deceased in February. Jeremy’s son, Jesse Larner, informed The New York Times about his father’s passing, stating that Jeremy had embraced mortality in a nursing facility in Oakland, California.

Larner’s life and career were marked by significant achievements spanning multiple disciplines including screenwriting, poetry, journalism, and political activism. His last years were marred by the relentless progression of Parkinson’s disease from 2013 until his death, compounded by an additional diagnosis of lymphoma in January this year.

Hailing from Olean, New York, Larner started off his academic journey at Brandeis University in 1958. Throughout the decade of the sixties, he pursued his passion and penned several novels that captivated co-writer/director Jack Nicholson enough to bring one of them to life as a feature film titled “Drive, He Said,” which was released in 1971.

Larner’s journalistic endeavors were equally notable. He contributed to prominent publications such as Life, The Paris Review, and Harpers throughout his career. His work did not stop at the realm of print media; he also took on a significant role as a speechwriter for Eugene McCarthy during his presidential campaign in 1968.

Inspired by McCarthy’s endeavors, Larner wrote “Nobody Knows: Reflections on the McCarthy Campaign of 1968,” which was published in parts by Harpers. This work served as a profound insight into political activism and its effects on individuals within a tumultuous period marked by civil unrest. Following this success, he penned the influential screenplay for Michael Ritchie’s film “The Candidate,” which earned him an Academy Award in 1972 for Best Original Screenplay.

Larner’s legacy is cemented not only by his acclaimed works but also by his profound impact on American culture and politics during one of its most transformative periods. His stories continue to resonate with those who seek to understand the depths of human emotion, political struggle, and the enduring power of words.