Richard D. Zanuck - Actor Profile

Richard D. Zanuck

Production
Freshness: Jan 27, 2026
26Total Films
8.3 Highest Rated
Born: Dec 13, 1934
Birth Place: Los Angeles, California, USA

About Richard D. Zanuck

Richard Darryl Zanuck (/ˈzænək/; December 13, 1934 – July 13, 2012) was an American film producer. His 1989 film Driving Miss Daisy won the Academy Award for Best Picture. He was also instrumental in launching the career of director Steven Spielberg, who described Zanuck as a "director's producer" and "one of the most honorable and loyal men of our profession."

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Richard D. Zanuck reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 26 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Documentary

The majority of Richard D. Zanuck's filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 54% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Richard D. Zanuck remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Poughkeepsie Shuffle: Tracing 'The French Connection', which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Richard D. Zanuck Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Richard D. Zanuck's career based on audience ratings.

★8.3
The Poughkeepsie Shuffle: Tracing 'The French Connection' (2000) movie poster
★8.3

The Poughkeepsie Shuffle: Tracing 'The French Connection': A documentary on the production of The French Connection (1971).

The Poughkeepsie Shuffle: Tracing 'The French Connection'

2000•Documentary
★8.0
In the Teeth of Jaws (1997) movie poster
★8.0

In the Teeth of Jaws: BBC documentary about the making of Steven Spielberg's Jaws.

In the Teeth of Jaws

1997•Documentary
★7.7
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Burton + Carter + Depp = Todd (2008) movie poster
★7.7

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Burton + Carter + Depp = Todd: A general making-of piece featuring principal members of the cast and crew. A brief history of the demon barber is provi

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Burton + Carter + Depp = Todd

2008•Documentary
★7.5
The Making of Jaws 2 (2001) movie poster
★7.5

The Making of Jaws 2: A documentary giving film fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this sequel to the now-classic horror movie tha

The Making of Jaws 2

2001•Documentary
★7.3
Jaws: The Inside Story (2010) movie poster
★7.3

Jaws: The Inside Story: Steven Spielberg takes us behind the cameras for the making of a classic movie.

Jaws: The Inside Story

2010•Documentary

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Richard D. Zanuck.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2020 Belushi Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2013 Don't Say No Until I Finish Talking: The Story of Richard D. Zanuck Self Average Similar →
2010 Jaws: The Inside Story Self Hit Similar →
2009 The Shark Is Still Working Self Hit Similar →
2008 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Burton + Carter + Depp = Todd Self Super Hit Similar →
2007 The Making of 'The Sand Pebbles' Self Flop Similar →
2006 Boffo! Tinseltown's Bombs and Blockbusters Self Hit Similar →
2006 Darryl F. Zanuck: A Dream Fulfilled Self Flop Similar →
2006 Who Needs Sleep? Self Hit Similar →
2006 All of What Follows Is True: The Making of 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' Self Flop Similar →
2005 The Last Mogul Self Flop Similar →
2003 Twentieth Century Fox: The Blockbuster Years Self Flop Similar →
2003 Miss Daisy's Journey: From Stage to Screen Self - Producer (as Richard) Hit Similar →
2003 Jessica Tandy: Theatre Legend to Screen Star Self - Producer (as Richard) Average Similar →
2001 Backstory: 'Gentleman's Agreement' Self Flop Similar →
2001 Making the Connection: Untold Stories of The French Connection Self Hit Similar →
2001 The Making of Jaws 2 Self Super Hit Similar →
2001 Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood Self Hit Similar →
2000 The Poughkeepsie Shuffle: Tracing 'The French Connection' Self Super Hit Similar →
2000 Enlisted: The Story of 'M*A*S*H' Self Average Similar →
1998 Behind the Planet of the Apes Self Hit Similar →
1997 Patton: A Tribute to Franklin J. Schaffner Self - Fox Production President on 'Patton' Flop Similar →
1997 In the Teeth of Jaws Self Super Hit Similar →
1995 The Making of 'Jaws' Self Hit Similar →
1995 Darryl F. Zanuck: 20th Century Filmmaker Self Flop Similar →
1991 Here's Looking At You, Warner Bros. Self Average Similar →

Richard D. Zanuck - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Richard D. Zanuck?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Richard D. Zanuck is "The Poughkeepsie Shuffle: Tracing 'The French Connection'" with a rating of 8.3/10.

How many movies has Richard D. Zanuck acted in?

Richard D. Zanuck has been featured in at least 26 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Richard D. Zanuck?

Other notable films include "In the Teeth of Jaws", "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Burton + Carter + Depp = Todd", and "The Making of Jaws 2".