Carol Goldwasser, a highly esteemed casting director whose gift for nurturing young talent shone brightly on shows such as "Hannah Montana," passed away peacefully at her Palm Springs residence on December 5th, following a surgical procedure. She was 67 years old. Her demise was sorrowfully confirmed to Variety by her dear friend and manager, Theodore Gekis.
For over two decades, Goldwasser's prowess in the world of casting took her from the bustling streets of Los Angeles to the vibrant cityscape of New York. Her expertise graced the screens of numerous beloved series, including "Hannah Montana," "Austin & Ally," "Dog with a Blog," and "Cousins for Life," leaving an indelible mark on each production.
Before securing these iconic roles, Goldwasser embarked on a journey to Los Angeles in 1991, armed with nothing but ambition and a dream. Despite having no concrete plan, she swiftly landed her foot in the door as a casting associate on the popular "Melrose Place" and the pilot episode of the cult classic "My So-Called Life." From 1994 to 1996, she further honed her craft as the manager of casting at Disney/Touchstone Television, and her talents were soon recognized with a promotion to director of casting—a position she held with distinction until 1998.
"Carol was an exceptionally gifted casting director, whose mere presence in a room lit it up with joy," reminisced Marc Hirscheld, the former Executive Vice President of Casting at NBC. "Her perpetual positivity, infectious enthusiasm, and an irritatingly bright demeanor made her irreplaceable. The world will undeniably lose a bit of its shine without her radiant presence."
Goldwasser held the esteemed position of chairperson for the diversity committee within the Casting Society of America, where she garnered an impressive tally of 11 CSA Artios Award nominations, resulting in two victories, as well as a nomination for the prestigious Heller Award for Television Casting Director of the Year. Additionally, she was a cherished member of the Television Academy.
Her confidante, Ann Maney, shared her heartfelt thoughts: "After Carol's lengthy and illustrious career in casting, I was eager to see her embark on a fresh journey, finding profound happiness in her retirement. She was blossoming in every way. I will deeply miss my dear friend, Doll. Farewell, dear soul!"
Goldwasser leaves behind her loving sister, Diana Goldwasser, and her brother-in-law, Philip Dorman, to mourn her loss but also to cherish her indelible legacy.
