20th Century Fox Founder’s Daughter, Darrylin Zanuck de Pineda, Dies at 84
Darrylin Zanuck de Pineda, clothing designer, surfer and philanthropist, died on Aug. 10. She was 84.
De Pineda was the first-born child of producer and 20th Century Fox studio founder Darryl F. Zanuck and silent screen actress Virginia Fox Zanuck. Her late brother, Richard D. Zanuck, followed their father’s footsteps and became an Oscar-winning producer for his work in “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Jaws.”
The heiress’ childhood consisted of playing with her father’s studio talent, like child star Shirley Temple, and receiving figure skating lessons from Olympic champion and actress Sonja Henie.
De Pineda later became a surfing enthusiast and dated Tommy Zahn, a legendary California surfer during the 1950s and ’60s. Joe Quigg, co-founder of the modern longboard, created the thinnest and lightest surfboard for de Pineda’s 5-foot frame and named the 25-pound board “The Darrylin.” It eventually became the prototype for the popular Malibu board.
During her time at the 20th Century Fox lot, de Pineda also studied fashion under costume director Charles La Mer. She ultimately opened a boutique in Santa Monica Canyon featuring her original designs. She opened four more shops in Acapulco, Mex. after moving there in the ’60s.
While in Acapulco, de Pineda started her fundraiser, “DAR,” which benefited a number of Acapulco orphanages. Her events premiered some of her father’s films and brought actors and musicians to visit, including Paul Newman, Kirk Douglas, Rock Hudson and Herbie Hancock.
De Pineda returned to Santa Monica in the 1980s. At the time, she co-founded a fundraiser to send children to college in her father’s hometown of Wahoo, Neb.
She married but later divorced “The Waltons” and “The Dukes of Hazzard” producer Robert L. Jacks.
De Pineda is survived by her husband, Julio Pineda; children, Robin, Linda, Wendy and Robert; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was cremated and her ashes are to be scattered by her family on the bay in Acapulco.
Related stories
Fox Taps Sirena Liu for Top China Post
Fox Offers 100 Films Digitally to Celebrate Century Mark, With Help From Martin Scorsese
Fox Expands Presence in Belgium With New Flemish Channel
Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
