The man behind Steven Spielberg’s first feature films and the later work of Tim Burton, Richard D. Zanuck, has passed away. He died of a heart attack in Los Angeles on Friday 13th July 2012. Zanuck was responsible for giving Spielberg his first shot at directing with THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS (1974), and followed this by producing JAWS (1975). In more recent years, he has produced Tim Burton’s work, including PLANET OF THE APES (2001), BIG FISH (2003), ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010), and DARK SHADOWS (2012).
At the age of 28 Zanuck was put in charge of production at 20th Century Fox. It was a difficult time, as the company was still recovering from the inflated budget and box-office disappointment of CLEOPATRA (1963). Luckily, the classic THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965) was just around the corner. He would oversee such Fox classics as PATTON (1970), THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971), BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969), and M*A*S*H (1972).
Zanuck would also become senior executive vice-president at Warner Brothers, before setting up his own independent company Zanuck/Brown with friend David Brown. They would produce the Paul Newman hits THE STING (1973) and THE VERDICT (1982).
Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment discussed the influence of Zanuck in a statement to TheWrap.
‘Richard Zanuck was a great man and a great friend — a true giant in our industry. The story of our studio, and indeed, all of modern motion picture history itself would not have been the same without his influence. All of us lucky enough to work at 20th Century Fox today, mourn his loss, and honor and celebrate his legacy.’
Steven Spielberg remembered their time together on JAWS.
‘In 1974, Dick Zanuck and I sat in a boat off Martha’s Vineyard and watched the mechanical shark sink to the bottom of the sea. Dick turned to me and smiled. ‘Gee, I sure hope that’s not a sign’. That moment forged a bond between us that lasted nearly 40 years. He taught me everything I know about producing. He was one of the most honourable and loyal men of our profession and he fought tooth and nail for his directors.
Zanuck is survived by his wife Lili Fini Zanuck, sons Harrison and Dean and nine grandchildren.
Source: The Wrap
