Debra Zane

The role casting director Debra Zane understands best is her own
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Debra Zane (photo by Blake Gardner)
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We had snacks and martini glasses to make it look like a little party," explains Zane, noting that Ellen Lewis, who shares credit on the film, initially suggested Shannon for the part.
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Zane got so into the scene that "when (Shannon) turned to tell me to shut up, I was so embarrassed, (which was) the absolute appropriate response."
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"Deb Zane is grounded; she's real, she's sincere -- and she's very funny," notes director Gavin Hood, who recently collaborated with her on "X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
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Mendes, who has collaborated with Zane on five pictures, notes, "she's funny, funny, opinionated, funny, knowledgeable, wise, funny and she has great taste.
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Zane has loved actors and movies ever since her childhood in Miami Beach. From an early age, Zane paid close attention to the "casting by" credit. "That credit struck me. I knew what it meant, and I knew I could do it because I was aware of actors in different roles."

While Zane seemed destined to go into casting, she made a detour into acting in New York after graduating from Sarah Lawrence College. Migrating west, she became a casting assistant to David Rubin in 1990. After seven years with Rubin, during which she became his associate and worked on such hits as "The Firm," "My Cousin Vinny" and "Fried Green Tomatoes," Zane struck out on her own.

Nearly 20 years into her career, she's still as passionate as when she began.

"I like making sure you've turned over every stone and thoroughly thought through all the angles," says Zane, who lives in Hollywood with her husband, Jeff Jarkow, a faculty member at the Museum of Tolerance, and their 7-year-old daughter, and their 17-year-old stepson.
...
The role casting director Debra Zane understands best is her own
...
We had snacks and martini glasses to make it look like a little party," explains Zane, noting that Ellen Lewis, who shares credit on the film, initially suggested Shannon for the part.
...
Zane got so into the scene that "when (Shannon) turned to tell me to shut up, I was so embarrassed, (which was) the absolute appropriate response."
...
"Deb Zane is grounded; she's real, she's sincere -- and she's very funny," notes director Gavin Hood, who recently collaborated with her on "X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
...
Mendes, who has collaborated with Zane on five pictures, notes, "she's funny, funny, opinionated, funny, knowledgeable, wise, funny and she has great taste.
...
Zane has loved actors and movies ever since her childhood in Miami Beach. From an early age, Zane paid close attention to the "casting by" credit. "That credit struck me. I knew what it meant, and I knew I could do it because I was aware of actors in different roles."

While Zane seemed destined to go into casting, she made a detour into acting in New York after graduating from Sarah Lawrence College. Migrating west, she became a casting assistant to David Rubin in 1990. After seven years with Rubin, during which she became his associate and worked on such hits as "The Firm," "My Cousin Vinny" and "Fried Green Tomatoes," Zane struck out on her own.

Nearly 20 years into her career, she's still as passionate as when she began.

"I like making sure you've turned over every stone and thoroughly thought through all the angles," says Zane, who lives in Hollywood with her husband, Jeff Jarkow, a faculty member at the Museum of Tolerance, and their 7-year-old daughter, and their 17-year-old stepson.

Casting director: Debra Zane