“Jaws” Producer Dies at Age 77

Today we are sad to report that the producer of “Jaws”, Richard D. Zanuck has passed away at the age of 77. Best known for his work as the producer of “Jaws,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Richard D Zanuck was a heavy hitter in the movie industry, and has played large role in producing some of the best known films of the past 50 years.

It was announced on Sunday July 15th that Zanuck had died of a heart attack in his Beverly Hills home. There were no further details regarding his death, other than that he had suffered from a heart attack.

Over the years, Zanuck built his career as an independent producer, during which time he worked on hundreds of movies, and worked with some of Hollywood’s greats including Steven Spielberg, on Jaws. “Jaws” was without a doubt one of the most prominent works of his career, though definitely not one of the only major films to his credit. Richard Zanuck has a large list of successes on his resume, ranging from his work on Doctor Dolittle to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He also worked as a production assistant for 20th Century Fox, and was later placed in charge of production at the studio.

He will be remembered by the hundreds that he worked with in Hollywood, ranging from Morgan Freeman and Johnny Depp. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and sons Harrison and Dean.