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One of the kingpins of Hollywood's studio system, Zanuck was the offspring of the ill-fated marriage of the alcoholic night clerk in Wahoo, Nebraska's only hotel and the hotel owner's daughter. Both parents had abandoned him by the time he was 13. At 15, he joined the U.S. Army, and he fought in Belgium in World War I. Mustered out, he kept himself alive with a series of desultory jobs -- steelworker, foreman in a garment factory, professional boxer -- while pursuing a career as a writer. He turned his first published story (for "Physical Culture, " a pulp magazine) into a film scenario for William Russell; his next important sale was to Irving Thalberg. Although often described as barely literate, Zanuck turned out to have a knack for movie plots. After a well-paid apprenticeship with Mack Sennett, Syd Chaplin and Carl Laemmle, Zanuck hit his stride by devising (with Malcolm St. Clair) the Rin Tin Tin series of police-dog movies for Warner Brothers. For Warner, under his own name and three pseudonyms, he ground out as many as 19 scripts a year and became head of production at age 23. He helped forge that studio's style with such films as The Jazz Singer (1927), The Public Enemy (1931) and I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932). In 1933, after the Warners made it clear that Zanuck would never be more than an employee, he quit to form Twentieth Century Films (with backing from Louis B. Mayer and Joseph M. Schenck). In 1935, Twentieth absorbed a bankrupt giant, Fox. Zanuck ruled the combined studio for decades. He became known as the most "hands-on" of the major studio bosses, taking particular pride in his talent for remaking movies in the cutting room. His signature productions were such sentimental, content-laden dramas as How Green Was My Valley (1941), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), and Twelve O'Clock High (1949). In the late fifties, Zanuck relinquished day-to-day control of the studio, left his wife, and moved to Europe to concentrate on producing. Many of his later films were designed in part to promote the careers of his successive girlfriends, Bella Darvi, Juliette Gréco, Irina Demick and Geneviève Gilles -- none of whom found much favor with directors or audiences. After the success of The Longest Day (1962), Zanuck returned to run 20th Century-Fox; he promoted his son, Richard D. Zanuck, to head of production, then engineered his firing in a messy boardroom brawl. Within a few months, in May 1971, Zanuck himself was deposed. He was the last studio boss of his era to go down.

Shuko Akune was born on 17 April 1959 in Wahoo, Nebraska, USA. She is an actress, known for E/R (1984), Cruel Intentions 2 (2000) and G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987).

Composer, conductor and educator, himself educated at the University of Nebraska School of Music (with an honorary Music Degree), Juilliard, Northwestern University (honorary Music Degree), the American Academy (Prix de Rome), Syracuse University, the Horner Institute, Augustana College and Theology Seminary, the American Conservatory, Columbia University, Capital University, Shurtleff College, Hartt College of Music, New England Conservatory, Temple University, Newcomb College, Tulane University, the University of Michigan (LL.D), Illinois Wesleyan University, College of the Pacific (Litt. D.), Keuka College (LHD), Drury College, and Valparaiso University. He was on the faculty and then became the dean of the Conservatory of Fine Arts and College of the Pacific 1919-1924, directed the Eastman School of Music 1924-1964, and inaugurated the American Composers Concerts. He was a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters, a Fellow in the American Philosophical Society, and the Royal Academy of Music in Sweden. His awards include those from Ditson and Peabody, and he was president of the National Association of Schools of Music, the Music Teachers National Association, the National Music Council, and chairman of the Advertising Music Committee and the Oberlaender Trust, and a member of the Examining Jury of the American Academy in Rome, and on the advisory committee on Music for the US State Department and the US Committee for UNESCO. He made many recordings, and joined ASCAP in 1938.

Jack Natteford was born on 27 November 1894 in Wahoo, Nebraska, USA. He was a writer and editor, known for The Flying Marine (1929), The Midnight Limited (1926) and Paradise Express (1937). He was married to Luci Ward. He died on 7 January 1970 in Los Angeles County, California, USA.

Greg Hain was raised in Wahoo, Nebraska and attended The University of Nebraska at Kearney on a basketball scholarship. After a career ending sports injury, Hain shifted his focus to Acting, Music and Art. He formed a rock band, recorded an album, and played over 100 shows before relocating to Minneapolis to study at The Academy for Film & Television.

Hain is attached to star in an upcoming Indie feature film in Fall 2013 to be shot in Venice, Italy and is developing several projects including his own One-Man show.

As an artist, Hain has showcased his paintings and photos in solo exhibits and group shows throughout the country.

Greg Hain lives in West Hollywood, California. In his spare time, he enjoys painting, songwriting, hiking, surfing, basketball, tennis and chocolate chip cookies.

Sam Crawford was born on 18 April 1880 in Wahoo, Nebraska, USA. He was an actor, known for College (1927) and The Glory of Their Times (1970). He died on 15 June 1968 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Zach Miller was born on 4 October 1984 in Wahoo, Nebraska, USA.