Daniel Selznick, ‘The Making of a Legend: Gone With the Wind’ and ‘Blood Feud’ Producer, Dies at 88

Daniel Selznick, ‘The Making of a Legend: Gone With the Wind’ and ‘Blood Feud’ Producer, Dies at 88

As a gamer with a deep appreciation for the history of cinema, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of respect and admiration for Daniel Selznick. Growing up in the shadows of Hollywood royalty, his life was not just a game, it was a grand production, filled with drama, adventure, and intrigue that would put any blockbuster to shame.


On Thursday, Daniel Selznick, the youngest son of renowned film producer David O. Selznick and theatrical producer Irene Mayer Selznick, passed away at the age of 88. Previously, he had worked as a Hollywood producer and executive.

He passed away due to natural reasons at the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills, California, as reported by the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Those living at the MPTF recalled Daniel for his wisdom, charisma, kindness, and generosity.

Daniel was born on the 18th of May, 1936, in Los Angeles. Afterwards, he attended Harvard University and also studied at the University of Geneva, with additional studies at Brandeis University. Later, he chose to follow his family’s path and entered the world of entertainment, spending four years as a production executive at Universal Studios.

David, his father who passed away in 1965, created numerous legendary films such as “Gone with the Wind” (1939), “Duel in the Sun” (1946) and “King Kong” (1933). His mother Irene, who died in 1990, was a notable actress herself; she was the daughter of film magnate Louis B. Mayer and earned a Tony Award nomination for her role in the 1955 play “The Chalk Garden.”

In the years that followed, I had the privilege of collaborating with my esteemed elder brother, Jeffrey Selznick, on the Peabody Award-winning documentary titled “The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind.” This remarkable project served as a testament to our father’s unparalleled craftsmanship in creating the timeless 1939 film. Tragically, my brother Jeffrey passed away in 1997, but his contributions to this documentary will forever stand as a tribute to his talent and our shared family legacy.

Apart from these, Daniel was involved in other ventures such as creating TV mini-series like “Blood Feud”, “Hoover vs. the Kennedys: The Second Civil War”, “Night Drive” and “Reagan’s Way: Pathway to the Presidency”. Notably, he also directed the latter project himself.

Apart from that, he held the position of director at the Louis B. Mayer Foundation for quite some time. Additionally, he flourished in the realm of theatrical production and brought his stepmother, Jennifer Jones, to light in a humorous play titled “The Man with the Perfect Wife“.

Next year, his autobiography titled “Walking with Kings” – penned while he resided at the Motion Picture Country Home – will be released for public reading by publisher Alfred Knopf.

Daniel, who was previously married three times, has no immediate survivors.

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2024-08-03 06:24