Home / Arts and Entertainment / Casting Icon Nessa Hyams Dies at 84
Casting Icon Nessa Hyams Dies at 84
24 Jan
Summary
- Nessa Hyams, casting director for 'The Exorcist' and 'Blazing Saddles,' died.
- She was head of casting at Warner Bros. during New Hollywood's rise.
- Hyams also directed episodes of 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman'.
Nessa Hyams, a pivotal figure in casting during the New Hollywood era, passed away on January 9 at her Manhattan home. She was 84.
During her tenure as head of casting at Warner Bros. from 1970 to 1974, Hyams played a crucial role in bringing iconic films to life. Her notable casting credits include William Friedkin's "The Exorcist" and Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles."
Hyams' career extended beyond casting. She was part of the American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women in 1974. This led to her directing 105 episodes of the acclaimed soap opera satire "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman."
Her directorial work also encompassed episodes of "Cagney & Lacey" and "Chillers," along with the 1987 film "Leader of the Band." She later returned to casting, contributing to films like "The Saint of Fort Washington" in 1993.
Born into a showbiz family, Hyams was the daughter of producer Barry Hyams and granddaughter of manager Sol Hurok. Her brother, Peter Hyams, is a noted writer-director.
