Zanuck's son Dean joined him as producer on this period crime drama, starring Tom Hanks, Jude Law and Newman and directed by Sam Mendes. Conrad Hall's cinematography took home Academy honors.
From Compulsion to Dark Shadows, Richard Zanuck worked with Hollywood’s top talents.
Compulsion (1959) A fictionalized version of the infamous Leopold-Loeb murder case, the movie marked Zanuck’s producing debut and won a best actor award for its ensemble cast, which included Bradford Dillman and Dean Stockwell, at Cannes.
The Eiger Sanction (1975) The revenge thriller, which Zanuck exec produced, was his first collaboration with Clint Eastwood, who both directed and starred in the film. It utilized locations that ranged from Switzerland to Monument Valley, Ariz.
Jaws (1975) The Universal project went way over its $4.5 million budget. But it gave birth to the summer blockbuster, opening on a then- massive 464 screens in North America and going on to gross $470 million worldwide.
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The Verdict (1982) The legal drama, directed by Sidney Lumet, reteamed Zanuck with his Sting star Paul Newman. As an alcoholic lawyer seeking redemption, Newman earned a best actor Oscar nomination, one of five noms for the film.
Cocoon (1985) Ron Howard directed the sci-fi tale of senior citizens given a new lease through an alien encounter. It scored two Oscars — one for visual effects, the other for best supporting actor Don Ameche — and spawned a 1988 sequel.
Driving Miss Daisy (1989) Bruce Beresford’s low-budget adaptation of Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a Southern widow, played by Jessica Tandy, and her loyal chauffeur, Morgan Freeman, won four Oscars, including best picture.
Planet of the Apes (2001) Remaking the 1968 movie with Mark Wahlberg in the Charlton Heston role sounded crazy. But it grossed $362 million worldwide and, just as important, brought Zanuck and Tim Burton together for the first of six movies.
Road to Perdition (2002) Zanuck’s son Dean joined him as producer on this period crime drama, starring Tom Hanks, Jude Law and Newman and directed by Sam Mendes. Conrad Hall’s cinematography took home Academy honors.
Dark Shadows (2012) Zanuck’s final film, which once again reteamed him with Johnny Depp and Burton, gave a comic, gothic spin to the old ’60s TV soap about ghosts, witches and vampires. It has grossed $234 million since its May release.
