Lynn Stalmaster

Lynn Stalmaster, who has died aged 93, largely devised the profession of casting director with which he was to become synonymous in Hollywood; he helped shape more than 400 films and television shows, from West Side Story to Roots to Superman, and among many others launched to stardom Dustin Hoffman, Christopher Reeve and John Travolta.

Hollywood legend Lynn Stalmaster, whose name was synonymous with casting for more than 60 years, died at his home Friday of natural causes, according to a statement from his family. He was 93. Stalmaster’s accomplishments are too numerous to list exhaustively, but among them: He became the first casting director...

Lynn Stalmaster, the Oscar-winning casting director whose eye for talent helped launch the careers of John Travolta, Christopher Reeve, Richard Dreyfuss and many other actors, has died. He was 93. Stalmaster became the first person to receive an Academy Award for casting when he accepted an honorary Oscar for lifetime...