[3] However, Shyer's focus was soon diverted to writing and he went to work as an assistant to Garry Marshall and Jerry Belson, producers of the TV series The Odd Couple.

[5] After The Odd Couple, Shyer transitioned into feature films and received his first writing credit on Smokey and the Bandit (1977), starring Burt Reynolds.

The following year, Shyer co-wrote Goin' South, directed by and starring Jack Nicholson, and received his first Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Screenplay for the Walter Matthau/Glenda Jackson film House Calls (1978).

[9] Shyer's 1987 film Baby Boom, like Private Benjamin, dealt with the role of women in a changing, feminist-influenced world, in the form of a romantic comedy.

Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams, and Martin Short were also singled out for praise for their performances in a film that went on to become a major worldwide success.

Meyers and Shyer went on to write, produce, and direct the sequel, Father of the Bride Part II, with all the principal players returning.

[12] As Touchstone Pictures' major attraction for the 1995 Christmas season, Father of the Bride, Part II opened number one at the box office and went on to gross in excess of $75 million within the U.S.[13] Shyer co-wrote and produced the Meyers-directed remake of The Parent Trap (1998).

[14][15] Shyer next tackled a period drama, The Affair of the Necklace (L'Affaire du Collier), starring Hilary Swank, Adrien Brody and Simon Baker.

In 2012, jewelry designer Liv Ballard premiered the online fashion film Ieri Oggi Domani (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow), written and directed by Shyer in his first commercial endeavor.