Mike Fenton, the casting director behind hits like “Back to the Future”, “ET”, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Godfather: Part II,” died this week, the Casting Society of America confirmed on Friday. He was 85 years old.
“The Casting Society of America is saddened by the death of co-founder Mike Fenton. His remarkable achievements and incredible work in raising awareness and appreciation of the art of casting define his legacy in the entertainment industry, ”CSA co-chairs Russel Boast and Rich Mento told TheWrap in a statement on Friday . “CSA extends its love and support to its dear family and friends.”
Steven Spielberg said that working with Fenton was “like working in a candy store” because “he made the casting a blast”.
“His fervent support for the actors was legend, and after getting a role, any actor’s smile was rarely as wide as Mike’s,” o “ET, the Extraterrestrial ” director said in a statement. “He didn’t just support actors, he launched crusades. And he was a great actor himself, as he always read dialogues off camera to create energy and charm for the person who was reading for the role. “
“Mike helped me to overcome every moment of indecision when I had three good options and couldn’t choose. He was just as responsible for some actors having their big opportunities in my films as I am, ”added Spielberg. “Like the actors he stood up for, Mike loved his role – and those around him loved him very much, and I will miss him a lot.”
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An industry veteran with hundreds of credits to his credit, Fenton died of natural causes at his home in LA, according to his son, Mick.
Born in 1935 in Los Angeles as Ronald Michael Fenton, Fenton joined Paramount as a casting director in 1963, after working in the Music Corporation of America’s mailroom and as an agent at the Ashley-Steiner Agency. In 1971, he launched his own casting agency with Fred Roos in 1982 (and later partnered with Jane Feinberg and Judy Taylor. He co-founded the Casting Society of America.
Other film credits include “American Graffiti”, “Chinatown”, “Young Frankenstein”, “Norma Rae”, “Blade Runner” 1982, “A Christmas Story”, “Poltergeist”, “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, ” Footloose ”and“ Aliens ”.
Fenton leaves his wife Irene, son Mick, daughter-in-law Alison and two grandchildren.