Mike Fenton, the casting director of Back to the Future, has passed away at the age of 85
Mike Fenton, the director behind some of Hollywood’s most beloved movies including ‘Back to the future’ Films , “Raiders of the Lost Ark“ET: The Extra-Terrestrial” and “The Godfather Part Two” died at the age of 85.
Fenton has achieved an impressive CV in selecting film and television projects for over 50 years, and has become a frequent collaborator with filmmakers including Steven Spielberg, And co-founded the Casting of America Association in 1982.
“His remarkable accomplishments and remarkable work in raising awareness and appreciation for the skill of casting define his legacy in the entertainment industry,” Russell Post and Rich Minto, co-chairs of the Canadian Space Agency, said in a statement.
Mick Ibn Fenton said The Hollywood Reporter He died Wednesday of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles.
A native of Los Angeles, Fenton worked on many Spielberg productions in his career, including the filmmaker’s first feature film of 1974 “The Sugarland Express,” the first three films from Indiana Jones, “Poltergeist,” “The Goonies,” and “ET. Back to the Future trilogy, and his TV show, Amazing Stories.
“Working with Mike Fenton was like working in a candy store – it caused an explosion,” Spielberg said in a statement through his production company, Amblin Entertainment. “His strong support for actors was legendary, and after he got a part of it, hardly any actor’s smile was as wide as Mike’s. Not only did he support the actors, he waged crusades. He was a very good actor, he always read dialogue off camera to create energy And mojo for the person reading the part.
“Like the actors he stood for, Mike loved his role – and those around him loved him so much, and I’m going to miss him so much.”
Fenton has also worked in films such as “American Graffiti”, “Chinatown”, “Young Frankenstein”, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, “The Bad News Bears”, “Aliens” and “Blade Runner” in the 1970s and 1980s. , A Christmas Story, and Footloose.
Director Joe Dante praised Twitter FridayHe described Fenton as “one of the best acting directors in the industry” after collaborating with him on the films “Twilight Zone: The Movie,” “Innerspace”, “The Burbs” and the HBO television movie “The Second Civil War.” “I have never met anyone who loved their work more than that.”
Fenton attended UCLA Film School in the 1950s wanting to be a director but ended up working first in the mailroom and then as a talented agent at MCA before signing as director with Paramount in 1963.
Fenton said in A. CSA Chat last year. “One collects the psychological and physical traits of the person you choose. Who can play this role better? And as a director, do you cast this part … because of the appearance or do you cast it based on their ability? It’s always a challenge for the director. This is the art of acting. “
“Bacon ninja. Alcoholgoeroe. Trotse ontdekkingsreiziger. Fervent popcultuurliefhebber.”