Charles M. Tanner (April 11, 1918 – March 11, 2006) was a screenwriter, playwright and founder and director of Covenant Players. Tanner turned away from his then passion - film production as a writer, producer and director in Hollywood, known for being a writer for Bonanza - to begin Covenant Players in 1963. Besides being chief executive officer, he wrote more than 3,500 plays for the company.