Following Annakin's death, George Lucas stated that, contrary to previous reports, he did not name the character "Anakin Skywalker" (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)) after Annakin.
He has two daughters, Jane and Deborah.
He was awarded a Doctor of Letters degree from Hull University.
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2002 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.
He was named a Disney Legend in 2002.
His daughter from a previous marriage, talent agent Jane Annakin, died of cancer in 1998.
Served with the Royal Air Force during the 1940 Battle of Britain, but was injured during the Blitz and went on to work as a camera operator making training films during the war.
Was great personal friends with actor James MacArthur, who co-starred in several pictures he directed. In 2008, MacArthur and Annakin hosted a special screening of "The Swiss Family Robinson" - directed by Annakin and starring MacArthur - for a large family gathering at a film festival involving over 900 children. MacArthur visited Annakin frequently over the last year since the director suffered a heart attack and stroke in February 2008.