Andrea Eastman, ‘Godfather’ casting director, dies at 86

EntertainmentHollywood powerhouse dies at 86Andrea Eastman, the influential casting director who worked on “The Godfather” and helped shape major Hollywood careers, died at age 86.Getty ImagesAndrea Eastman, the casting director and manager whose work shaped Hollywood classics including “The Godfather,” died in her sleep at her Santa Barbara home. She was 86.A family spokesperson confirmed her death Thursday Sept. 3 to the Hollywood Reporter but declined to comment on the specific cause, according to Page Six.Eastman built her reputation at Paramount and ICM, where she cast the 1972 classic “The Godfather.” Her career achievements included discovering Jaclyn Smith, who became an icon on “Charlie’s Angels,” and connecting director Steven Spielberg with Roy Scheider for “Jaws.” She also secured the role of Harry Burns for her client Billy Crystal in “When Harry Met Sally” in 1989.In the months before her death, sources said Eastman had discussed the California End of Life Option Act, which allows terminally ill adults who are mentally capable to access aid-in-dying medication.“She mentioned it, but it was like a cup of coffee,” a source who saw her at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel told Page Six. “She said it in such a nonchalant way, but she was seriously considering medical aid in dying.”Despite facing health challenges in recent years, including open heart surgery six years ago, friends noted her spirit remained high. During her recovery from that surgery, Eastman spent three months at the Beverly Hills Hotel with her golden retriever, Trooper. She later commissioned author Susan McCauley to write a children’s book about the experience titled “Trooper at the Beverly Hills Hotel.” Eastman told a Montana newspaper in 2023 that she believed she would not have healed as well or as quickly without the love of her dog.As an executive and manager, Eastman represented high-profile clients including Sylvester Stallone, Barbra Streisand, Katherine Heigl, Katie Couric, Dustin Hoffman, Richard Gere and Tony Danza. She celebrated her final birthday in June with a Zoom party attended by former clients and friends, including Cindy Crawford and Dyan Cannon.Megan Sims is a viral reporter for cleveland.com and a Cleveland native. She covers topics ranging from celebrity news, national business news, social media and more. Previously, Megan covered various lifestyle...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff.