Juliet Taylor, a prominent casting director, has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of many Hollywood stars throughout her four-decade career. While she was instrumental in giving Meryl Streep her debut film role, Taylor humbly attributes much of Streep’s success to her undeniable talent rather than her own efforts. She believes that Streep was destined for greatness, becoming a sensation in New York almost immediately upon entering the scene. Taylor was fortunate enough to be casting for the film “Julia” at just the right moment, coinciding with Streep’s availability from a play.
As the recipient of an honorary Oscar at the upcoming Governors Awards, Taylor feels a mix of pride and nervousness. The recognition she is receiving is long overdue, especially with the recent announcement of a new competitive Oscar category specifically for casting directors, set to commence with films released in 2025. Taylor emphasizes the critical behind-the-scenes role casting directors play, from negotiating contracts to ensuring a movie adheres to its budget constraints.
Once a profession considered purely organizational, casting has evolved into an art form. Taylor began her career in 1968, during a transformative period in the industry, and was mentored by pioneering casting director Marion Dougherty. Dougherty was known for her talent scouting in off-Broadway productions, and she instigated a more empathetic approach to casting that prioritized the humane aspects of talent selection. Taylor recalls that this field was largely dominated by women, partly as a result of the relatively low pay.
Her first major casting assignment was for the horror classic “The Exorcist,” which posed significant challenges. After director William Friedkin requested her help due to prior tensions with Dougherty, Taylor faced overwhelming pressure. However, this daunting task also provided her an opportunity to shine, allowing her to discover talents such as Linda Blair and take a chance on playwright Jason Miller, who impressed her with his audition.
Throughout her career, Taylor collaborated with some of the industry’s most respected directors, including Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg. She worked on over 100 films, contributing to classics like “Taxi Driver” and “Terms of Endearment.” Reflecting on her achievements, Taylor attributes much of her success to the exceptional talent of the directors she worked with, underscoring that the talent was evident and undeniable.
Taylor takes particular pride in casting real-life characters in her films, cherishing experiences like finding a lounge singer for “Broadway Danny Rose.” Moreover, she recalls her determination to support actors like Jeff Daniels. In earlier years, a clear divide existed between New York theatre actors and Hollywood stars, with many theater actors arriving in the city desiring stage roles rather than immediate stardom in films.
During her extensive collaboration with directors like Allen and Nichols, they enjoyed a level of independence in their filmmaking processes. Taylor noted that Woody Allen operated on tight budgets with the assurance of minimal outside interference, while Mike Nichols initially experienced less oversight, which grew as his projects became more costly. For example, during the production of “Working Girl,” a disagreement arose between Taylor and Nichols over the choice of Harrison Ford for a lead role instead of their preferred actor, Alec Baldwin, who was deemed too obscure by the studio.
Having retired a few years back, Taylor expresses no regrets about her decision. While she remains in touch with former colleagues to discuss potential projects occasionally, her current focus is on enjoying the theater. The recognition of casting directors in the industry is something she holds dear. Taylor observes that many deserving individuals have come before her in this field, making the honor feel particularly significant for both her and the entire casting community. She believes the acknowledgment has been a long time coming and is both heartfelt and necessary.