Don Phillips, a casting director, producer, and who helped to launch the careers such actors as Sean Penn and Matthew McConaughey, died on Thanksgiving Day of natural causes. He would have been 81 years old on December 21st.
Phillips received his first break when he landed an entry-level job in the casting department of filmmaker Otto Preminger’s 1971 movie These are such good friends Impressed by Phillips, Preminger took an ad in Variety and Backstage to praise the novice’s work on the film.
The acknowledgement led to Phillips getting hired to do extras casting on Sidney Lumet’s SerpicoAl Pacino starred and his casting job expanded to include the entire film. Lumet then selected him to be his casting director for the next film. Dog Day Afternoon,Also starring Pacino. Phillips is known for negotiating with John Cazale to play the role of Sal.
Phillips was cast in the 1976 film cult classic. Car WashWritten by Joel Schumacher, directed by Michael Schultz. Phillips was also involved in the 1978 film. National Lampoon’s Animal Housewith his casting partner Michael Chinich.
Phillips became a producer in 1974. His first movie as a producer was Universal’s 1980 filmHoward and Melvin, for which Phillips hired then-little known filmmaker Jonathan Demme to direct the story about a small town man’s relationship with Howard Hughes (portrayed by Jason Robards). Phillips found Mary Steenburgen, a female actor, to fill the role of lead woman. The film won Best Screenplay Oscars for Bo Goldman and Best Supporting Actress Oscars for Steenburgen, as well as an Oscar nominations for Robards.
Phillips was cast in the 1982 comedy “Coming-of-Age”. Ridgemont High – Fast TimesThe film was directed by Amy Heckerling, written by Cameron Crowe, and produced by Art Linson. Phillips recruited Jeff Spicoli (then-newcomer) to fill the role of lead.
Story goes that, after Penn’s first audition did not go well, Phillips asked the young actor to come back at the end of the day to give it another try. Penn passed the second audition and was hired immediately. Phillips helped to assemble the cast, which included Jennifer Jason Leigh and Forest Whitaker, Phoebe Cates and Judge Reinhold. Eric Stoltz and Ray Walston were also introduced by Phillips.
Phillips lived with David Rabe, a playwright who wrote the dark-comedy play. HurlyburlyBased loosely on their personal experiences in Hollywood, It was produced on Broadway, with William Hurt starring alongside Christopher Walken and Harvey Keitel. It earned a Tony nomination. HurlyburlyLater, the film was adapted by Penn, Meg Ryan and Garry Shandling.
Phillips returned to producing with Penn’s directorial debut,The Indian RunnerThe film stars Viggo Mortensen (another Phillips discovery that was later close to a friend), David Morse. Patricia Arquette, Charles Bronson and Valera Golino also star.
Phillips was then paired with Richard Linklater to serve as casting director for the iconic movie. Dazed and ConfusedUnknown actor Matthew McConaughey was a bar patron in Austin, which led to him meeting McConaughey and casting him as Wooderson.
Phillips is also credited with casting these actors in their first major roles, including Rory Cochrane and Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser and Renee Zelwegger.
He was a collaborator with Kevin Smith, the director. MallratsAffleck, Claire Forlani, Shannen Doherty, and others starred in the film. Phillips also starred in the Penn-directed Crossing GuardJack Nicholson with Anjelica Hudson, Robin Wright and David Morse.
Phillips collaborated with David Fincher in 1997 on Fincher’s film. The GameStarring Penn and Michael Douglas with Steve Golin producing.
Phillips and Linklater reunited to collaborate on the film The Newton BoysMcConaughey, Ethan Hawke headlined the event. Phillips re-teamed in 2000 with Linson, an old friend. Sunset Stripstarring Rory Cochrane, Simon Baker, Anna Friel, and Tommy Flanagan. Phillips also returned back to Penn’s work The PledgeIt starred Nicholson. Benicio De Toro, Patricia Clarkson. And Aaron Eckhart.
Phillips has been developing a feature movie in the last few years. Open Heartto be directed by Edoardo Ponti (The Life AheadThe film starred Sophia Loren, his mother. It is based in part on the true story Denton Cooley, Michael Debakey and Denton Cooley, who performed the first ever artificial heart transplant. Phillips’ real-life nephew Dr. Chris Allison, an orthopedic oncology surgeon, was also involved with developing the screenplay.
Phillips’ wife Dorothy Pearl, a makeup artist, was his first to die.Tootsie, The Postman Always Rings Twice Miss Congeniality).