‘Die Hard’ Casting Legend Jackie Burch Dies at 74
The film world is mourning the loss of acclaimed casting director Jackie Burch, best known for shaping some of Hollywood’s most iconic ensembles, including Die Hard and The Breakfast Club.
Burch passed away on Sunday at her home in Atlanta following a battle with endometrial cancer. She was 74.
Her death was confirmed by her close friend and fellow casting director, Gail Goldberg.
“We are heartbroken and in shock at the prospect of living without our vibrant, charming, funny, special, and incredibly loving mom,”
said her family in a heartfelt statement.
Across a dazzling career spanning more than four decades, Jackie Burch became a cornerstone of modern American cinema.
Her name was attached to an impressive line-up of films that defined generations, from Sixteen Candles to Iron Man 3, Ant-Man, and The Hunger Games.
Her ability to discover the perfect face for a character made her one of the most respected figures in Hollywood’s casting community.
Colleagues often described her as “instinctive,” “fearless,” and “ahead of her time.”
Born on 25 March 1951 in Newburgh, New York, Burch started her journey in the early 1980s. Her early film credits included Forbidden World, Psycho II, DC Cab, and Smokey and the Bandit Part 3.
It wasn’t long before she found herself working alongside legendary filmmaker John Hughes, casting three of his most beloved 1980s films — Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Weird Science.
Those projects cemented her reputation for spotting authentic, relatable talent.
Over the years, Burch collaborated with an impressive list of filmmakers, including:
- Warren Beatty (Dick Tracy)
- Jim Abrahams (Hot Shots! Part Deux)
- John Landis (Coming to America)
- Martha Coolidge (Real Genius)
- Brian Helgeland (42)
- Peter Bogdanovich (Mask)
Her casting instincts consistently elevated every project she touched, whether comedy, drama, or blockbuster action.
It was Die Hard (1988) that truly changed everything. Burch’s casting of Bruce Willis as John McClane transformed the actor from television star to global action icon.
She went on to cast Die Hard 2, helping solidify one of cinema’s most enduring franchises.
Her resume expanded to include Another 48 HRS., Beverly Hills Cop III, The Santa Clause 2, and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.
Burch’s filmography reads like a masterclass in Hollywood hits, Fright Night, Road House, Punchline, and Lilly among them. Her final work, This Is the One They’ll Remember Me By, is due for release next year.
A career of such impact did not go unnoticed. Burch earned an Emmy nomination for her casting work on Bessie (2015), featuring Queen Latifah. The film went on to secure four Emmy wins.
She also received seven Artios Awards from the Casting Society of America, including one for Hidden Figures (2017), a film that celebrated women’s brilliance both on and off screen.
Burch is survived by her daughters, Samy Burch, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, and Molly Burch, a former singer-songwriter, as well as her twin sister, Janice Papolos.
A memorial service will be held in Los Angeles, with details to follow. The family has requested donations to The National Association of the Deaf in her memory, instead of flowers.
Quietly confident yet powerfully influential, Jackie Burch transformed how Hollywood found its stars. Her legacy lives on in the countless actors she championed and the timeless films she helped bring to life.
Her touch can still be felt in cinema’s most unforgettable moments, a legacy few can match.
