Robert Klane, the screenwriter for “Weekend at Bernie’s” and “Where’s Poppa?” and the director of “Thank God It’s Friday, has died. He was 81 years old.

Robert Klane, the writer-director best known for penning Weekend at Bernie’s and National Lampoon’s European Vacation, died Aug. 29 of kidney failure in Woodland Hills, CA. He was 81.

Robert Klane, who wrote the screenplays for the irreverent comedy classics Weekend at Bernie’s and Where’s Poppa? and directed the disco-era favorite Thank God It’s Friday, has died. He was 81.

Robert Klane, left, with Terry Kiser on the set of “Weekend at Bernie’s II” (1993), which Mr. Klane wrote and directed. It was a sequel to the 1989 cult film “Weekend at Bernie’s ...

Robert Klane, screenwriter behind “Weekend at Bernie’s,” dies Director Robert Klane instructs actress Donna Summer on the set of the Columbia Pictures movie “Thank God It’s Friday” in ...

Robert Klane, who wrote the screenplay for “Weekend at Bernie’s” and “Where’s Poppa?” and also directed “Thank God It’s Friday,” died on Aug. 29. He was 81.

Robert Klane, who wrote "Weekend at Bernie's," has passed away, his son confirmed to The Times. The screenwriter was 81.

Robert Klane, screenwriter of films including “Weekend at Bernie’s” and “Where’s Poppa?,” died from kidney failure on Aug. 29 at his home in Woodland Hills, Calif. He was 81.

Robert Klane, screenwriter of films including “Weekend at Bernie’s” and “Where’s Poppa?,” died from kidney failure on Aug. 29 at his home in Woodland Hills, Calif. He was 81.

Robert Klane, screenwriter of films including “Weekend at Bernie’s” and “Where’s Poppa?,” died from kidney failure on Aug. 29 at his home in Woodland Hills, Calif. He was 81. Klane’s ...