Richard Zanuck, Oscar-winning producer, dead

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Richard Zanuck, the film producer who won the best picture Oscar for "Driving Miss Daisy," has died. He was 77.

His publicist says he died of a heart attack in his Beverly Hills home on Friday. Zanuck spent more than 50 years in film. His father Daryl F. Zanuck once ran 20th Century Fox.

In addition to "Driving Miss Daisy," Zanuck also produced "The Verdict" and several Tim Burton movies.

Zanuck and the late David Brown produced "Jaws," and are largely credited with ushering in the age of the summer blockbuster.

Responses from people who worked with Zanuck included Steven Spielberg, who said, "He was one of the most honorable and loyal men of our profession and he fought tooth and nail for his directors. Dick Ranuck was a cornerstone of our industry, both in name and deed."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Get more Entertainment »

movie news, famous death, entertainment

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•