Jackie Burch, iconic casting director behind ‘Die Hard’ and ‘Sixteen Candles,’ passes away at 74

Jackie Burch dies at 74

Jackie Burch, the beloved casting director behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic films, has died at 74.

She passed away peacefully on Sunday at her home in Atlanta, just four months after being diagnosed with endometrial cancer, her close friend and fellow casting director Gail Goldberg shared.

Jackie’s journey into film wasn’t a traditional one. She started her career as a teacher for the deaf in Los Angeles, a position that demonstrated her strong commitment to communication and profound compassion.

However, everything changed when he happened to fill in for a friend who worked at Universal Studios. She found her calling there: finding the right people to tell stories and making them come to life.

Jackie gained the trust of some of the biggest directors in the business over the years. She cast the young actors who would define a generation in Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Weird Science, working closely with John Hughes.

Her long-standing partnership with John Landis brought audiences Coming to America, Three Amigos! and Beverly Hills Cop III.

Jackie's casting decisions frequently made unknowns into stars; none more so than Alan Rickman, whom she supported for his breakthrough performance as Hans Gruber in Die Hard.

Jackie had a particular talent for spotting raw potential, especially in action films like Predator, Commando, and The Running Man. However, she continued to have an impact well into the 2010s, managing local casting for popular films like the Hunger Games franchise, Iron Man 3, and Hidden Figures.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, born in Newburgh, New York, on 25 March 1951, Jackie’s early casting credits included Psycho II, Smokey and the Bandit Part III, and D.C. Cab — all released in 1983. Her last completed project, This Is the One They’ll Remember Me By, will be released next year.

She was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for HBO’s Bessie in 2015, and won an Artois Award for Hidden Figures in 2017, among seven career nominations.

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Jackie is survived by her daughters — Oscar-nominated screenwriter Samy Burch (May December) and artist Molly Burch — her sons-in-law Alex and Dailey, her twin sister Janice, and her adored poodle, Jack.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, a memorial will be held in Los Angeles. Donations can be made in her honour to The National Association of the Deaf.

“We are heartbroken and in shock at the prospect of living without our vibrant, charming, funny, special and incredibly loving mom,” her daughters said.

“Her generous spirit touched so many lives — professionally and personally — and we are endlessly proud of the legacy she leaves behind.” They added.