Casting Director Jefff Greenberg Reflects On His Casting Adventures

CF Blog | May 31

Emmy-winning casting director, Jeff Greenberg recently shared a number of intriguing stories about the stars he cast--and didn't cast--over the past 30 years of his prolific career.

Emmy-winning casting director, Jeff Greenberg recently shared a number of intriguing stories about the stars he cast--and didn't cast--over the past 30 years of his prolific career. Greenberg is best known for his work on Frasier, Modern Family, Cheers, Wings, My So-Called Life, and Ugly Betty. And more recently he handpicked talent for the new sitcom Superior Donuts. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Greenberg explained that he always tries to find an actor who "enhances what's on the page, who not only fulfills the vision of the writer, but brings a dash more--someone who is fresh. And always have a backup plan, always have someone in the wings, just in case." Here are just a few of the many casting adventures he reveals.

Eric Stonestreet had been auditioning for him for 10 years Over the span of a decade, even though Stonestreet was passed on several times, he remained on Greenberg's radar. "I remained a fan, and he was always good," the casting director says. When it came to casting the role of Mitchell Pritchett's husband, Cameron, the task proved to be a challenge. But Greenberg proudly recalls guiding Stonestreet into the Modern Family role. "Eric created the alchemy the role needed by finding the funny and grounding it with his mother's spirit, so that the mix of the masculine and feminine sides of the role were entwined."

He passed on Brad Pitt and Keri Russell Years ago when Greenberg was casting for a guest role on Cheers, a little-known actor named Brad Pitt auditioned for the part. "My only note was 'Not funny,'" Greenberg recalls. "For the part, he wasn't funny--he's been funny since," he clarifies. Similarly, when he was casting for the part of "Model No.1" on My So-Called Life, Keri Russell auditioned but wasn't selected. "But in my casting notes, I wrote, 'Star to be,'" he remembers. "I tracked her career and observed what was inevitable. It was that apparent."

He fought hard for Kristie Alley on Cheers Greenberg took over casting on Cheers in season five. But it wasn't long before the pivotal star of the popular sitcom, Shelley Long announced she'd be leaving the show. "It was on my shoulders to find the new leading lady," Greenberg recalls. "They wanted someone diametrically opposed to Diane--someone ballsy and dark, an ice queen. I had seen Kirstie Alley in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,' and she brought such humor to that play. She was just so stunning. She was my first idea. I fell on my sword for her, and the network was resistant. Rightly so. They hadn't seen her do it. She didn't have a comedy background; she was a dramatic actress. But we just stayed the course, and I was so committed to it. It was gratifying when it worked out…It rejuvenated the show."

Remembering Roger Moore

CF Blog | May 30

James Bond actor Roger Moore died earlier this week at the age of 89. The debonair British star is best known for replacing Sean Connery in seven of the secret-agent movies between 1973 and 1985. Moore's adult children, Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian Moore posted a statement on his verified Twitter account earlier this week saying:

"It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today in Switzerland after a short but brave battle with cancer. The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone. We know our own love and admiration will be magnified many times over, across the world, by people who knew him for his films, his television shows and his passionate work for UNICEF which he considered to be his greatest achievement. The affection our father felt whenever he walked onto a stage or in front of a camera buoyed him hugely and kept him busy working into his 90th year, through to his last appearance in November 2016 on stage at London's Royal Festival Hall. The capacity crowd cheered him on and off stage, shaking the very foundations of the building just a short distance from where he was born. Thank you Pops for being you, and for being so very special to so many people. Our thoughts must now turn to supporting Kristina at this difficult time, and in accordance with our father's wishes there will be a private funeral in Monaco."

Moore's version of James Bond was elegant, relaxed, and always seemed to maintain a sense of humor as he sipped martinis, seduced stunning beauties, and conquered villains. He once said of his approach to the iconic "007" character, "My personality is different from previous Bonds. I'm not that cold-blooded killer type. Which is why I play it mostly for laughs." Another time, he elaborated, "To me, the Bond situations are so ridiculous, so outrageous. I mean, this man is supposed to be a spy and yet everybody knows he's a spy. Every bartender in the world offers him martinis that are shaken, not stirred. What kind of serious spy is recognized everywhere he goes? It's outrageous. So you have to treat the humor outrageously as well."

While Roger Moore starred in many other TV shows and films over the course of his career, he is likewise often celebrated for his portrayal of the Robin Hood-like character, Simon Templar in the television series The Saint. The popular mystery-spy thriller ran for almost 120 episodes during the 1960s and aired in 60 countries. And after his Bond days, Moore landed film roles such as The Chief in the box-office smash Spice World with the Spice Girls.