Lynn Stalmaster, who was the first casting director to receive an Academy Award, passed away today at home in Los Angeles. He was 93 and his death was confirmed by Laura Adler of the Casting Society of America.
Stalmaster had a legendary vision of casting. He is credited with moving Dustin Hoffman to The graduate, Christopher Reeve as Superman, and keep an eye out for the young John Travolta for TV comedy classic Welcome back, Cutter, among many others.
At the Governors Awards in November 2016, Stalmaster became the first casting director to receive an Academy Award. The honorary Oscar recognized his long and distinguished career.
Stalmaster had another remarkable achievement: on Norman Jewison’s 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair Stalmaster became the first casting director to receive a single-card credit in the titles.
Stalmaster has over 400 casting credits including classics like Taking over the wind (1960), The great escape (1963), In the middle of the night (1967), They shoot horses, don’t they? (1969), Harold and Maude (1971), Jeremiah Johnson (1972), Tootsie (1982), Nine 1/2 weeks (1986) and The bonfire of the vanities (1990).
“Never compromise,” he said at the Governors Awards. “Regardless of the size of a roll, even if it is just a response.”
Stalmaster was not only good at spotting actors. For the 1972 film Salvation, he was casting at a Georgia elementary school. There he discovered Billy Redden, who is best remembered as the young banjo player. Ned Beatty was also chosen for the film, his first major film role.
The list of Stalmaster credits includes William Shatner Judgment in Nuremberg Take Burton for the blockbuster series RootsCountry singer Mac Davis in North Dallas Forty (1979); and Oscar nominee Sam Shepard as test pilot Chuck Yeager in 1983 The good stuff.
Stalmaster was born on November 17, 1927 in Omaha, Nebraska. His family later moved to Los Angeles and attended Beverly Hills High School and UCLA, where he earned a master’s degree in theater arts. Early in his career, he was an actor in such films as The steel helmet (1951) written and directed by Samuel Fuller, ed Flying Leathernecks (1951), starring John Wayne.
However, the savvy Stalmaster covered his bets, working as a producer assistant, and got to work casting their shows after their original casting director retired. He became independent a few years later and has never looked back.
Casting Socity of America co-presidents Russell Boast and Rich Mento released a statement about Stalmaster’s death.
Lynn pioneered our profession and pioneered more than half a century of world-class film and television credits. He was a friend and mentor to many of us. We offer our condolences to his family and friends. Lynn will be missed deeply, deeply. “They ended:”Thank you, Lynn, for showing us the way. “
Stalmaster’s family prepares an announcement about his death. We will update with details on survivors and a memorial when released.