Colleagues from legendary casting director Mike Fenton remembered the industry veteran as a tireless champion of actors who had a keen eye for talent, a great sense of humor and a full life outside of work with a wide circle of friends.
Fenton, who died on December 30 at the age of 85, had almost 300 cast credits to his name and helped launch the career of stars like Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, Drew Barrymore and Robert Downey Jr. He won the Artios Award from the Casting Society of America in 1996 as Best Cast for Nighttime TV Special for “Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree ”and again in 2000 for Best Cast for TV Miniseries for“ Arabian Nights ”
Graham Yost, screenwriter and showrunner known for “Broken Arrow”, “Speed” and FX’s “Justified”, became friends with Fenton through a racing club called Flying Squirrels that the casting professional founded in the 1980s. Yost met his wife, Connie, through the group.
“He was the sweetest and very funny guy,” said Yost. Flying squirrels used to gather every Saturday in Santa Monica, and it was Fenton who took care of the group of runners who ran through the narrow streets. “He was shouting, ‘Car!’ even if it was a kilometer away ”, remembers Yost.
Over the years, the running group disappeared, but its members kept in touch. Years later, some members started playing poker every Sunday and, even with the blockade of COVID, the group met at Zoom to play. Yost noted that Fenton was in a nursing home and had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a few years ago, but “it was a way of seeing Mike.”
The last time Yost saw Fenton was in the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences tribute to three cast legends: Fenton, Lynn Stalmaster and Juliet Taylor. “It was great to see this tribute to Mike and all the people they met,” said Yost.
“ET” star Henry Thomas, one of Fenton’s most notable discoveries, was also present that night. “(Thomas) did that incredible audition (for ‘ET’), and the clincher was that he got that job,” said Yost.
As demonstrated in the clip posted below, Fenton can be heard off-screen working with Thomas during his audition for what would become Spielberg’s 1982 blockbuster. At the end of the reading, Fenton tells Thomas that he got the job. “Henry was just incredible and he (Fenton) told great stories. He would do anything for you, ”said Yost.
Yost said that Fenton’s ability came in part because he always had unconventional ideas about how to combine actors with roles. Yost cited the decision to cast Sally Field for “Sybil,” the 1976 TV landmark about a woman battling multiple personalities, as an example of Fenton’s inspiration that turned an actor into a star. Fenton “changed his life because no one thought about it for that. He was the champion of that idea. He changed his life from ‘The Flying Nun to (future) Oscar winner. “
Actress Frances Fisher cited Fenton’s role in elevating the role of the casting director as well.
“He unionized casting directors founding @CSAcasting,” Fisher wrote of Fenton’s work as co-founder of the Casting Society of America in 1982.
“Doctor Who” casting director Andy Pryor remembered Fenton on Twitter. “RIP Mike Fenton, casting director for many of our favorites. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, “ET”, the “Indiana Jones” films, “The Goonies,” “Back to the Future” and many more. Thank you for all that joy. “
Amblin Entertainment tweeted a moving tribute from director Steven Spielberg. “Mike Fenton, who has arguably been one of the best casting agents in our industry for decades and essential to the top Steven Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment films, passed away at the age of 85.”
Mike Fenton, who has arguably been one of the best casting agents in our industry for decades and essential to the top Steven Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment films, passed away at the age of 85.
Steven Spielberg pays tribute to Mr. Fenton today, while we at Amblin have noted his passing. pic.twitter.com/k6Badz6I2p
– Amblin (@amblin) January 2, 2021
“Gremlins” director Joe Dante shared, “RIP Mike Fenton, one of the best casting directors in the business! I worked with him on “Twilight Zone”, “Innerspace”, “The Burbs” and the best cast of films I’ve ever made, “The Second Civil War”, with 90 parts spoken. I never met anyone who loved his job more. “
Producer Jane Kelly Kosek shared on Facebook, “It is very sad to hear that Mike Fenton, one of the casting directors for our film“ Not Since You ”, passed away today. He helped us put together such a wonderful cast for “Not Since You”. He also cast “ET”, “The Goonies” and “Back to the Future!” He was also a good man. REST IN PEACE”
Criminal Minds casting director Lisa Zambetti called Fenton’s death “a great loss.”
On Instagram, casting director Jennifer Ajemian, whose credits include Amazon Prime’s “North of Boston”, wrote that Fenton’s passing was “very sad news for the casting community. We are admirers of Mike’s extensive work and contribution to the foundry work. “
While “Iron Will” producer and president of Seismic Pictures, Robert Schwartz wrote: “The end of 2020 saw the passing of extraordinary casting director Mike Fenton, one of my favorite people in Hollywood. We worked on several films together and he was just the best and a lovely, kind and generous person. RIP Mike. “
Blazing Saddles writer Andrew Bergman remembered Fenton through his Twitter page. “A lovely guy. Helped the cast of “The Freshman” and “Honeymoon in Vegas”. Good taste and open to surprises. “
A lovely guy. Helped the cast of The Freshman and Honeymoon in Vegas. Good taste and open to surprises.
– Andrew Bergman (@andy_bergman) January 2, 2021
Actor, writer and producer Ryan Paul James wrote about attending a casting workshop that Fenton organized. “I did Mike Fenton’s casting director workshop in Orlando, Florida, in 1996. We were just a few actors and went to lunch at the Boston Market. He had the best cast stories, ”wrote James.
“I remember him telling me that lunch that there is a chance that I will never come into his office for a audition because there are so many actors in LA. 8 years later, my first year in LA and guess who I auditioned for. When I reminded him of this story, he laughed and called me a few more times for auditions. RIP Mike. “
“Avatar” actor Woody Schultz also remembers taking classes with Fenton.
Sad to hear about #MikeFenton. Truly one of the best casting directors of all time and a really nice guy. As a young actor, I took a series of lessons with him and he was very happy to share his wisdom with us. Grateful for the experience. Sending love to your family and friends.
– Woody Schultz #BlackLivesMatter (@UGottaWoody) January 2, 2021
Producer David Latt also had a full circle moment when he hired Fenton to launch what would become one of Fenton’s last projects, the sassy 2014 TV movie “Sharknado 2: The Second One”. “In the 1980s, I interned with Mike Fenton and @marciliroff. At the time, it was a dream job and a dream come true when I hired Mike 30 years later to launch the cast #Sharknado 2. #RIP. You taught me only the good things. “
Watch Thomas’s test below and hear how Fenton trains the actor: