Longtime director Maximilian B. Bryer, who worked on the soap operas As the World Turns and The Edge of Night, died on June 16 at his home in Las Vegas, his family announced. He was 98.
After serving as a First Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps and fighting in World War II, Bryer earned a Master's degree in English from the University of Michigan and landed a job in New York City as a TV Floor Manager with DuMont. Realizing that television was his passion, Bryer moved to Hollywood in the early 60s, where, as shared by the Hollywood Reporter, he became a producer and director of TV commercials and soaps like As the World Turns and The Edge of Night.
As soap fans may have noticed, Bryer was a close friend of Joan Collins (ex-Alexis Carrington, Dynasty; ex-Alexandra Spaulding, Guiding Light), who is godmother to the director's daughter, Victoria Dade. Bryer also gave Collins away at her 2002 wedding, while his wife of 52 years, Judith Bryer, worked as Collins' personal assistant on Dynasty.
Collins shared a birthday message to Bryer back in 2017 that also features the director's wife and daughters, Victoria and Samantha.
Happy 95th #birthday to my dear friend Max Bryer, here with wife Judy and daughters Samantha and @vdade! pic.twitter.com/CKq6KkIzsL
- Joan Collins (@Joancollinsdbe) January 22, 2017
In addition to his directing work, Bryer was vice president at the advertising agency Benton & Bowles, where he oversaw West Coast television production. He also served as a TV director for CBS.
Bryer is survived by his wife, Judith; daughters, Samantha Bryer and Victoria Dade; son-in-law Rick Dade; and grandchildren, Benjamin and Nathan Dade.
A funeral is set for Friday, July 17, at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. Contributions in his memory can be made to St. Baldrick's Foundation, which funds cancer research for children.
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