Jackie Burch, the casting director behind iconic films such as 'Die Hard', 'The Breakfast Club', and 'Sixteen Candles', has died at the age of 74. She passed away on 12 October in Atlanta after a four-month battle with endometrial cancer, her family confirmed.
Born in Newburgh, New York, Burch began her career in Los Angeles as a teacher for deaf education before transitioning into the film industry. She started casting in the early 1980s, working on films including 'Psycho II', 'Forbidden World', and 'Smokey and the Bandit Part 3'. She became a frequent collaborator with director John Hughes, casting 'Sixteen Candles', 'The Breakfast Club', and 'Weird Science'.
In 1988, Burch famously cast Bruce Willis as John McClane in 'Die Hard', which went on to gross over $143 million worldwide. She also worked on its 1990 sequel, 'Die Hard 2'. Her other credits include 'The Running Man', 'Coming to America', 'Three Amigos', 'Mask', and 'Dick Tracy'.
Later in her career, Burch oversaw casting for 'The Hunger Games' series, 'Iron Man 3', 'Hidden Figures', and the HBO film 'Bessie'. Her final project, 'This Is the One They’ll Remember Me By', is scheduled for release in 2026. She was an active member of the Casting Society and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Burch is survived by her daughters Samy and Molly, their spouses, and her twin sister Janice Papolos. Her family remembered her as 'vibrant, charming, funny, special, and incredibly loving'.
