Lynn Stalmaster facts for kids

Lynn Arlen Stalmaster (born November 17, 1927 – died February 12, 2021) was a famous American casting director. A casting director helps choose the actors for movies and TV shows. He made history by being the first casting director to ever win an Honorary Oscar in 2016.

Early Life and Education

Growing Up

Lynn Stalmaster was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on November 17, 1927. His dad, Irvin A. Stalmaster, was a lawyer who became a judge. Irvin was the first Jewish person and the youngest person to become a district judge in Nebraska.

Lynn had a younger brother, Hal Stalmaster, who became an actor. Hal is famous for starring in the Disney movie Johnny Tremain.

Moving to California

Lynn first went to Dundee Elementary School in Omaha. But because he had bad asthma, his family moved to Beverly Hills, California. There, he went to Beverly Hills High School. He joined theater and radio clubs, which helped him become less shy.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Lynn studied theater arts at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. He earned his master's degree in 1952.

Career in Hollywood

Starting Out

Lynn Stalmaster began his career as an actor. He appeared in war movies like The Steel Helmet (1951) and The Flying Leathernecks (1951). He also acted in the TV series Big Town.

Later, he got a job as a production assistant at a company called Grosse-Krasne. When the person in charge of casting retired, Lynn took over. He quickly became a casting director for five TV shows.

Becoming a Top Casting Director

After a few years, Stalmaster decided to work independently. He quickly became known as a great casting director. He found steady work in both television and movies. He helped cast over 60 movies in one decade alone.

Some of the famous movies he cast include Fiddler on the Roof, Harold and Maude, Deliverance, Rollerball, and Superman. He also cast popular TV shows like Gunsmoke, The Untouchables, and My Favorite Martian.

Lynn Stalmaster also worked on many Academy Award-winning movies. These include In the Heat of the Night, The Thomas Crown Affair, and The Right Stuff.

Making History

In 1968, Lynn Stalmaster became the first casting director to get his own separate credit card in the main titles of a movie. This started with The Thomas Crown Affair. After that, his name appeared in the main titles of more than 180 films, always saying "Casting by Lynn Stalmaster."

Awards and Later Life

Special Recognition

In 2003, the Casting Society of America (CSA) gave Lynn Stalmaster their Career Achievement Award. This award honored his long and successful career.

Thirteen years later, in November 2016, he received an Academy Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This was a huge moment because he was the first casting director to ever receive an Academy Award!

Two years later, the Casting Society of America started a new award in his honor. It's called the Lynn Stalmaster Award for Career Achievement. Famous actors like Annette Bening, Laura Dern, and Geena Davis have received this award.

Final Years

Lynn Stalmaster passed away on February 12, 2021, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 93 years old.

Partial Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Lynn Stalmaster para niños