Adorable Story #66: Darryl F. Zanuck

"The public is always right"

“The public is always right.”

— Darryl F. Zanuck

1957: Darryl Francis Zanuck (1902 - 1979) the American film producer at Cannes, France. Darryl is holding a box of “Sano Cigars”, a U.S. Tobacco Company’s brand of cigars discontinued in 1977 — Photo by Slim Aarons © Getty Images

Darryl F. Zanuck was a visionary film producer and studio executive who profoundly shaped Hollywood’s Golden Age. He fought in both World Wars, founded 20th Century Pictures (later becoming 20th Century Fox) and, as Vice President in Charge of Production (and later CEO), Zanuck was responsible for producing numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. His personal life was marked by a series of tumultuous relationships and extramarital affairs, which often made headlines and eventually contributed to his dismissal.

---

If you aren’t subscribed yet, hit the subscribe button below to receive the Adorable Stories every weekend, directly in your inbox:

---

Early Life and Background

Darryl Francis Zanuck was born on September 5, 1902, in Wahoo, Nebraska, to Louise Torpin and Frank Zanuck.

His father, Frank, was a small hotel owner, while his mother, Louise, came from a lineage of Swiss immigrants and raised Darryl as a protestant.

Darryl’s early life was marked by profound instability: his parents separated when he was just six years old and this separation led to a transient childhood, where Darryl moved between living with his mother in Los Angeles and with his father in Nebraska.

Darryl’s education began in the public schools of Wahoo. However, after his parents’ separation, he attended various schools as he moved between his parents’ houses in different States. His formal education was frequently interrupted due to his family’s circumstances and his own adventurous spirit.

Despite these challenges, Zanuck was an avid reader and demonstrated an early fascination with storytelling and cinema.

At the age of 13, Zanuck decided to leave home and support himself. He worked various odd jobs, including as a bellboy, farmhand, and rail worker.

World War I

His restless spirit eventually led him to enlist in the United States Army at the age of only 15, lying about his age in order to join the army during World War I.