What is Dean Zanuck’s net worth?
Dean Zanuck is an American film producer and studio executive who has a net worth of $2 million. Dean Zanuck represents the third generation of one of Hollywood’s most storied dynasties. Over the course of his career, he has earned recognition for producing acclaimed independent features and maintaining a foothold in the ever-evolving world of prestige filmmaking. As the son of legendary producer Richard D. Zanuck and actress Linda Harrison, and the grandson of studio mogul Darryl F. Zanuck, Dean carries a unique legacy shaped by decades of Hollywood history. But rather than simply coast on his famous name, he carved out his own path—first as an executive at The Zanuck Company, and later as co-founder of Zanuck Independent and Zanuck Family Entertainment.
Early Life and Family Legacy
Dean Francis Zanuck was born on August 11, 1972, into a cinematic lineage few can rival. His grandfather, Darryl F. Zanuck, was one of the most powerful and influential studio heads in Hollywood’s Golden Age. A founding executive at 20th Century Fox, Darryl produced dozens of landmark films, including “The Grapes of Wrath,” “All About Eve,” and “The Longest Day.” He was a driving force behind the studio system and helped shape American cinema in the 20th century.
Dean’s father, Richard D. Zanuck, continued the family tradition with a prolific producing career that included Oscar-winning hits like “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Jaws,” which he co-produced with David Brown. Richard also had a long collaboration with director Tim Burton, producing films such as “Planet of the Apes,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and “Alice in Wonderland.”
Dean’s mother, Linda Melson Harrison, is best known for playing Nova in the original “Planet of the Apes” (1968) and its sequel, “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” (1970). A contract player at 20th Century Fox during the late 1960s, Harrison was a prominent actress in her own right and became an enduring figure in science fiction fandom.
(Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Career in Film Production
Dean Zanuck began his career working at The Zanuck Company, where he developed film projects alongside his father. One of his early roles was as a production executive, where he helped shepherd films like “Deep Impact,” “True Crime,” and “Rules of Engagement” to the screen. In 2004, he co-founded Zanuck Independent with producing partner David Crockett, a boutique film production company focused on character-driven, story-first cinema.
The company’s first major release, “Get Low” (2009), was a critical success. Starring Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, and Sissy Spacek, the film was based on the true story of a Tennessee hermit who famously threw himself a funeral while still alive. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and earned Independent Spirit Award nominations, helping reestablish Dean as a serious producer of quality independent cinema.
He followed up with “The Zero Theorem” (2013), directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Christoph Waltz, Matt Damon, and Tilda Swinton. Though divisive, the film drew praise for its visual style and philosophical ambition, further showcasing Zanuck’s appetite for offbeat, cerebral material.
More recently, Dean has expanded into family-oriented and animated content under Zanuck Family Entertainment, though he has kept a relatively low profile compared to his father and grandfather.
Dean (center) and Marisa (right) Getty Images
Personal Life
From 2002 to 2016, Dean was married to Marisa Zanuck. They have two children. Marisa was a cast member on the third season of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” which aired in 2013. The couple, who share two children, eventually divorced. Despite his family’s notoriety, Dean has maintained a relatively private life and tends to stay behind the scenes in contrast to the media prominence of some of his relatives.
Real Estate
In May 2011, Dean and Marisa paid $1.335 million for a home in Beverly Hills. They sold this home in November 2016, in the wake of their divorce, for $1.825 million.
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