Born in Passaic, NJ. After popular groups such as Creedence Clearwater Revival earned his Berkeley-based label, Fantasy Records, a fortune during the 1960s, Zaentz made an auspicious entry into feature film production with ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975). Starring Jack Nicholson and based on Ken Kesey's underground classic, the film became one of the biggest -- and least likely -- critical and commercial smashes of the day, earning a best picture Oscar® for Zaentz and co-producer Michael Douglas. Zaentz's subsequent efforts, often literary adaptations, have usually been worth the wait, particularly AMADEUS (1984), another Oscar champion, THE ENGLISH PATIENT (1996) and THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING (1988), which introduced Lena Olin to American audiences. Other notable producing credits include THREE WARRIORS (1977), THE LORD OF THE RINGS (1978), THE MOSQUITO COAST (1986, exec. producer) and AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD (1991). The Saul Zaentz Company Film Center, a post-production sound facility, opened its doors in the early 1980s.  Best Picture 1975: ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST - Producer (w. Michael Douglas)  Best Picture 1984: AMADEUS - Producer  Best Picture of the Year 1996: THE ENGLISH PATIENT - Producer  Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award 1996. 3 nominations, 3 Awards, 1 Honorary Award