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Charles Lederer (December 31, 1906 – March 5, 1976) was a prolific and well-connected American film writer and director of the 30s to the 60s, from a prominent theatrical family with close ties to the Hearst dynasty. Charles was born in New York City, and was the son of two prominent figures in the American theater – Broadway producer George Lederer and singer Reine Davies (sister of William Randolf Hearst's lover, actress Marion Davies). He was the older brother of actress Pepi Lederer, who committed suicide at age 25. He was a child prodigy and was admitted to UC Berkeley at the age... MORE

Charles Lederer (December 31, 1906 – March 5, 1976) was a prolific and well-connected American film writer and director of the 30s to the 60s, from a prominent theatrical family with close ties to the Hearst dynasty. Charles was born in New York City, and was the son of two prominent figures in the American theater – Broadway producer George Lederer and singer Reine Davies (sister of William Randolf Hearst's lover, actress Marion Davies). He was the older brother of actress Pepi Lederer, who committed suicide at age 25. He was a child prodigy and was admitted to UC Berkeley at the age of 13, but dropped out a few years later to work as a journalist for Hearst newspapers. When he was 19, Lederer became friends with Ben Hecht, who introduced him to the New York literati. His friendship with Hecht led to his being hired to write additional dialogue for the film The Front Page. He later moved back to Hollywood to become a full-time screenwriter. Lederer is recognized for his acerbic adaptations and collaborative screenplays of the 1940s and early 1950s. His screenplays frequently delved into the corrosive influences of wealth and power. Yet his comedy writing was also among the best of LESS