These men performed in movies like “Speed”, “Ace Ventura”, “Independence Day”, “Naked Gun 33 1/3”, “Chisum”; television like “The Monkees”, “Seinfeld”, “Law & Order”, “The Invaders”, “Bonanza”, “Adam-12”; on Broadway; and wrote songs like “Going Down” and collaborated with renowned artists such as Leon Russell, Freddie King, and John Mayall.
John Capodice
John Capodice, born on December 25, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, was a distinguished American character actor whose career spanned several decades across theater, television, and film. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966, including a deployment in Korea, he transitioned into acting in the late 1970s. Capodice’s early television work included a role in the soap opera “Ryan’s Hope,” and he became known for guest appearances on series such as
“Seinfeld,” “Law & Order,” “Will & Grace,” and “The West Wing.” His filmography features notable performances in “Wall Street,” “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Speed,” and “Independence Day.”
Movies & TV
- Q (1982)
- The Secret of My Success (1987)
- Wall Street (1987)
- Spike of Bensonhurst (1988)
- See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)o
- Family Business (1989)
- Internal Affairs (1990)
- Blue Steel (1990)
- Q&A (1990)
- Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
- Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
- Seinfeld “The Revenge” (1991)
- The Doors (1991)
- The Hard Way (1991)
- Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)
- Family Prayers (1993)
- Point of No Return (1993)
- The Evil Inside Me (1993)
- Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
- Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult (1994)
- Speed (1994)
- Trial by Jury (1994)
- The Scout (1994)
- A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994)
- The Misery Brothers (1995)
- The Phantom (1996)
- Independence Day (1996)
- Wedding Bell Blues (1996)
- Dilemma (1997)
- True Friends (1998)
- Hoods (1998)
- With Friends Like These… (1998)
- Enemy of the State (1998)
- Ringmaster (1998)
- Kiss of a Stranger (1998)
- Simon Says (1998)
- Follow Your Heart (1999)
- A Wake in Providence (1999)
- Chain of Command (2000)
- Price of Glory (2000)
- The Amati Girls (2000)
- Out of the Black (2001)
- Double Bang (2001)
- A Month of Sundays (2001)
- Blasphemy the Movie (2001)
- Desert Rose (2002)
- The Streetsweeper (2002)
- Carolina (2003)
- Shut Up and Kiss Me (2004)
- Jesus, Mary and Joey (2005)
- Everybody Hates Chris (2005)
- 10th & Wolf (2006)
- Cattle Call (2006)
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2007-2008, TV Series)
- Dark Room Theater (2009)
- Detention (2010)
- Pizza with Bullets (2010)
- Last Call (2012)
- Miami or Bust: A Hoboken Bet (2012)
- Sharkskin (2015)
- Frank and Ava (2018)
- Lost Angelas (2019)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) Final Role
In theater, he appeared in Off-Broadway productions and on Broadway in “Requiem For a Heavyweight.” Capodice married Jane Crawley, with whom he had two daughters, Tessa and Cassandra, and four grandchildren. He passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024, at the age of 83.
Don Nix
Don Nix, born on September 27, 1941, in Memphis, Tennessee, was a multifaceted American musician, songwriter, and producer who significantly influenced Southern soul, blues, and rock music.
He began his musical journey as a saxophonist with the Mar-Keys, a group that achieved success with the 1961 hit “Last Night.” Transitioning into production and songwriting, Nix collaborated with renowned artists such as Leon Russell, Freddie King, and John Mayall.
Discography
- In God We Trust (Shelter, 1971)
- Living by the Days (Elektra, 1971)
- Hobos, Heroes and Street Corner Clowns (Enterprise, 1973)
- Gone Too Long (Cream, 1976)
- Skyrider (Cream, 1979)
- Back to the Well (Appaloosa, 1993)
- Goin’ Down: The Songs of Don Nix (Evidence, 2002)
- I Don’t Want No Trouble! (Section Eight, 2006)
- Passing Through (Section Eight, 2008)
His most celebrated composition, “Going Down,” became a blues-rock standard, covered by artists including Jeff Beck and the Rolling Stones. In the early 1970s, Nix formed the Alabama State Troupers, a touring ensemble that recreated the ambiance of old-time traveling music shows. He released several solo albums throughout his career, including In God We Trust (1971)
and Living by the Days (1971). Nix was also an author, penning books such as Road Stories and Recipes, which offers insights into his life on the road and in the studio. He passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, in Germantown, Tennessee, at 83, leaving behind a legacy that earned him a place in the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
Geoffrey Deuel
Geoffrey Jacob Deuel, born on January 17, 1943, in Lockport, New York, was an American actor renowned for his roles in television and film. Raised in Penfield, New York, he was the son of physician Dr. Ellsworth Shaut Deuel and Lillian Marcella Ellstrom, and the younger brother of actor Peter Deuel1.
Geoffrey pursued higher education at Ithaca College and Syracuse University before embarking on an acting career in the 1960s. He gained prominence portraying Billy the Kid in the 1970 Western film “Chisum” and later as Dave Campbell on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless” from 1973 to 1977.
Movies
- 1970 Chisum
- 1973 Terminal Island
- 1978 The Chinese Caper
- 1986 Amateur Night
- 2001 108 Stitches
TV
- 1966 Twelve O’Clock High
- 1967 Occasional Wife
- 1967 The Monkees S1:E30, “Monkees Manhattan Style”
- 1967 The Invaders
- 1967 Bonanza
- 1968 The High Chaparral
- 1968 The Flying Nun
- 1968–1973 The F.B.I 4 episodes
- 1969 Adam-12
- 1969 The Mod Squad
- 1969–1975 Mannix 2 episodes
- 1970 House on Greenapple Road
- 1970 Medical Center
- 1971 To Rome with Love
- 1971 The Name of the Game
- 1971 Insight
- 1971 The Smith Family
- 1972 Movin’ On
- 1973 Mission: Impossible
- 1973 Cannon
- 1973 Toma
- 1973 The Magician
- 1973–1974 The Streets of San Francisco 2 episodes
- 1973–1977 The Young and the Restless
- 1974 Ironside
- 1974 This Is the Life
- 1974 Marcus Welby, M.D.
- 1974 Planet of the Apes
- 1974 Petrocelli
- 1974 Nakia
- 1974 The Manhunter
- 1974 Barnaby Jones
- 1975 Joe Forrester
- 1988 In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders
Throughout his career, Deuel made guest appearances on various television series, including “The Monkees,” “Mission: Impossible,” and “The Streets of San Francisco.”
In his personal life, Geoffrey was married to Jacqueline Selitto. He passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at the age of 81, in Largo, Florida, due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary
Charles Shyer
Charles Richard Shyer, born on October 11, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, was an acclaimed American film director, screenwriter, and producer, celebrated for his contributions to romantic comedies. The son of Melville Shyer2, a film production executive,
Charles grew up immersed in the entertainment industry. He attended UCLA before embarking on a career in television, writing for series such as “The Odd Couple.” After that, Shyer transitioned into feature films and received his first writing credit on Smokey and the Bandit (1977), starring Burt Reynolds.
Films
- 1977 Smokey and the Bandit – Writer / Won – People’s Choice Award
- 1978 House Calls – Writer
- 1978 Goin’ South – Writer
- 1980 Private Benjamin -Writer & Producer / Won – Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay
- 1984 Irreconcilable Differences – Writer & Director
- 1984 Protocol – Writer
- 1986 Jumpin’ Jack Flash – Writer
- 1987 Baby Boom – Writer & Director
- 1991 Father of the Bride – Writer & Director / Won – BMI Film Music Award to Alan Silvestri (1993)
- 1992 Once Upon a Crime – Writer
- 1994 I Love Trouble – Writer & Director
- 1995 Father of the Bride Part II – Writer & Director
- 1998 The Parent Trap – Writer & Producer
- 2001 The Affair of the Necklace – Director & Producer
- 2004 Alfie – Writer, Director & Producer / Won – Critic’s Choice Award for Best Song
- 2012 Ieri Oggi Domani (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) – Writer & Director / Won – Internet Advertising Competition 2012 for Best Online Fashion or Beauty Film, Won – Internet Advertising Competition 2012 for Best in Show, Won – Best Shorts Competition Award, Won – The Telly Award, Won – The Accolade Competition Award, Won – Academy of Visual Arts Communicator Award
- 2022 The Noel Diary – Writer & Director
- 2023 Best. Christmas. Ever! – Co-Writer & Producer
Shyer co-wrote the 1980 hit “Private Benjamin,” earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. He made his directorial debut with “Irreconcilable Differences” (1984) and continued to helm popular films like “Baby Boom” (1987), “Father of the Bride” (1991), and its sequel “Father of the Bride Part II” (1995).
Shyer frequently collaborated with his then-wife, Nancy Meyers, with whom he shared two daughters, Annie and Hallie. His personal life included three marriages: to actress Diana Ewing (1969–1974), Nancy Meyers (1980–1999), and Deborah Lynn (2004–2009), with whom he had two children, Jacob and Sophia. Throughout his career, Shyer’s work was recognized with multiple award nominations, including a Writers Guild of America Award for “Private Benjamin.” He passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, at the age of 83, after a brief illness.
Footnotes
- Peter Ellstrom Deuel, known professionally as Pete Duel, was an American actor born on February 24, 1940, in Rochester, New York. Raised in Penfield, he was the eldest of three children in a family with Swedish heritage. After attending Penfield High School, Duel enrolled at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, where he majored in English. However, his passion for acting led him to leave university and pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Relocating to New York City, he secured a role in a touring production of the comedy “Take Her, She’s Mine,” which eventually brought him to Hollywood in 1963. Duel’s early television appearances included guest spots on series such as “Gidget” (1965) and “Love on a Rooftop” (1966–1967). He gained widespread recognition for his starring role as Hannibal Heyes, alias Joshua Smith, in the Western television series “Alias Smith and Jones” (1971–1972). Tragically, at the height of his career, Duel died by suicide on December 31, 1971, in Hollywood, California, at the age of 31. His untimely death shocked fans and colleagues alike, leaving a lasting impact on the television industry. ↩︎
- Melville Jacob Shyer, born on September 28, 1895, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was a pioneering American film director, screenwriter, and producer whose career spanned over five decades. He began his Hollywood journey working with notable figures such as Mack Sennett and D.W. Griffith, gaining experience in various facets of film production. In the early 1930s, Shyer co-founded Progressive Pictures, one of Hollywood’s first independent film studios, where he produced and directed several films, including “Sucker Money” (1933) and “The Road to Ruin” (1934). He was instrumental in the establishment of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), serving as a founding member and contributing to the advancement of directors’ rights and working conditions in the industry. Throughout his career, Shyer held various roles, including assistant director and production manager, showcasing his versatility and dedication to filmmaking. His legacy continued through his son, Charles Shyer, who became a successful writer and director. Melville Shyer passed away on September 14, 1968, in Palm Springs, California, leaving behind a significant impact on the film industry. ↩︎
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia “John Capodice” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Capodice
- Wikipedia “Don Nix” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Nix
- Memphis Music Hall of Fame “Don Nix” https://memphismusichalloffame.com/inductee/donnix/
- 45 Cat https://www.45cat.com/
- Wikipedia “Geoffrey Deuel” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Deuel
- Dailyf;ickny “Screenwriter Charles Shyer on “Smokey and the Bandit” and Burt Reynolds” https://dailyflickny.wordpress.com/2018/09/07/screenwriter-charles-shyer-on-smokey-and-the-bandit-and-burt-reynolds/comment-page-1/
- Wikipedia “Charles Shyer” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Shyer
- People “Charles Shyer, Father of the Bride Director, Dies at 83 After a Brief Illness: ‘His Legacy Lives on'” https://people.com/charles-shyer-father-of-the-bride-director-dead-at-83-8767288
