Jackie Burch, Beloved Casting Director Behind Hollywood Classics, Dies at 74
(L to R): Thomas Causey (sound mixer), Jackie Burch, Felicia Fasano on the set of “Stop or My Mom Will Shoot!” in 1992.
Jackie Burch, the fiercely talented and deeply beloved casting director whose work helped shape some of the most iconic films of the 1980s and beyond, passed away peacefully at home in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, October 12, 2025, after a brief but brave four-month battle with endometrial cancer. She was surrounded by family, close friends, and her devoted poodle, Jack. Her passing was confirmed by her dear friend and fellow casting director Gail Goldberg. She was 74.
Burch's remarkable career spanned decades, working alongside legendary directors such as John Hughes, Warren Beatty, Jim Abrahams, Jonathan Kaplan, John Landis, Martha Coolidge, and Peter Bogdanovich. Her eye for talent and passion for storytelling left an indelible mark on film history through unforgettable films like Die Hard, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Predator, Three Amigos, Road House, Mask, The Running Man, Commando, Coming to America and Dick Tracy. In the 2010s, she continued to lend her expertise to major productions, overseeing local casting for Hidden Figures, Iron Man 3, Bessie, and The Hunger Games series—bringing a new generation of powerful stories to life. Her final project, This Is the One They’ll Remember Me By (2026), is set for release next year.
Born on March 25, 1951, in Newburgh, NY, Jackie began her professional life in Los Angeles as a deaf education teacher. But it was in casting that she found her true calling—a career that revealed her keen intuition for recognizing talent. She was a proud and active member of Casting Society (CSA) and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Her family shared, “We are heartbroken and in shock at the prospect of living without our vibrant, charming, funny, special, and incredibly loving mom. Her generous spirit touched so many lives – professionally and personally – and we are endlessly proud of the legacy she leaves behind.”
Jackie is survived by her daughters, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Samy Burch and former singer/songwriter Molly Burch, who helms Picnic Studio, a nonprofit art space for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; sons-in-law Alex Mechanik and Dailey Toliver; and her twin sister, Janice Papolos.
A memorial in her honor will be held in Los Angeles with details to be announced soon. Donations can be made to The National Association of the Deaf.