Herman Raucher Cause of Death

Renowned American screenwriter Herman Raucher, known for his acclaimed work on the Oscar-nominated film “Summer of ’42” and his extensive career in television, advertising, novels, and plays, has passed away at the age of 95. The news was confirmed by his family, who stated that Raucher succumbed to natural causes on December 28.

Originally from New York, Raucher initially ventured into the realms of television and advertising before making a significant impact in the world of feature films. Some of his early achievements included penning the screenplays for “Sweet November,” Melvin Van Peebles’ “Watermelon Man,” and the unique musical comedy “Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe And Find True Happiness?” This particular project earned him the Writers Guild of Great Britain award for Best Original Screenplay in 1970.

One of Raucher’s standout accomplishments was his dual role as both novelist and screenwriter for “Summer of ’42.” Released in 1971 and directed by Robert Mulligan for Warner Bros, the romantic drama not only achieved substantial box office success but also earned an Oscar nomination for Raucher’s screenplay. The film secured two additional nominations and a win for composer Michel Legrand at the 1972 Academy Awards.

Raucher’s diverse body of work extended beyond “Summer of ’42,” encompassing screenwriting credits for films like “Class Of ’44,” “Ode To Billy Joe,” “The Other Side Of Midnight,” and the 2001 remake of “Sweet November,” featuring Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron in lead roles. In addition to his cinematic achievements, Raucher authored several novels, including “A Glimpse of Tiger,” “There Should Have Been Castles,” and “Maynard’s House.”

Although Herman Raucher is occasionally misattributed as a ghostwriter for the film “The Great Santini,” it is essential to clarify that he contributed to a failed television adaptation pilot in the 1980s. Despite this, he continued to receive substantial fan mail for “The Great Santini,” second only to the letters inspired by “Summer of ’42.”