ATLANTA, Georgia — Jackie Burch, the Emmy-nominated casting director behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic films, including “Die Hard” and “The Breakfast Club,” died Sunday at her home in Atlanta after a four-month battle with endometrial cancer, The Hollywood Reporter said. She was 74.
According to Deadline, Burch’s career spanned more than four decades, shaping the casts of beloved classics and blockbuster franchises. She worked closely with director John Hughes on teen staples like “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Weird Science.”
Her influence extended to action cinema, where she cast Arnold Schwarzenegger in hits like “Predator” and “Commando,” and famously launched Bruce Willis into stardom as John McClane in “Die Hard,” Deadline said. She also championed Alan Rickman for his iconic role as Hans Gruber.
In later years, The Hollywood Reporter said Burch oversaw local casting for major productions, including “Iron Man 3,” “Hidden Figures” and the “Hunger Games” franchise. Her work earned her seven Artios Award nominations and a win for “Hidden Figures” in 2017, as well as an Emmy nod for HBO’s “Bessie” in 2015.
Born in Newburgh, New York, Burch began her professional life as a teacher for the deaf before a chance opportunity at Universal Studios led her to Hollywood. Her final project, “This Is the One They’ll Remember Me By,” is slated for release next year.
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