Carol Goldwasser Dies: Trailblazing Casting Director Was 67

She was not on the list.

Carol Goldwasser, whose expertise in casting helped to shape TV series like Hannah Montana and Dog with a Blog, died unexpectedly December 5 at her home after minor surgery. She was 67.

Her passing was confirmed by her friend, manager Theodore Gekis.

For over two decades, Goldwasser worked in casting in Los Angeles and New York while transforming the television landscape with her keen eye for new and emerging talent. Among her successes were Hannah Montana, Austin & Ally, Dog with a Blog and Cousins for Life, which she cast alongside her former partner Howard Meltzer. She was a champion of young talent such as Zac Efron, Khary Payton and Alison Brie.

Goldwasser was known for her generosity, warmth, sense of humor, and her signature “Hi, doll!” greeting.

“Carol was passionate, caring, and funny, really, really funny,” says Meltzer. “She will be missed by her dear friends, colleagues, and all the many child actors she discovered and whose careers she started.”

“Carol was a wonderfully talented casting director and a delight to be in the same room with,” adds Marc Hirschfeld, former EVP of casting at NBC. “Always positive, enthusiastic and with an annoyingly sunny disposition. The world will be a little less sunny without her.”

Born August 3, 1957 in Freeport, NY, Goldwasser excelled as a piano student and graduated salutatorian from East Meadow High School in 1975. She earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music performance and education, summa cum laude, from the University at Buffalo, originally intending to teach music but soon realizing her true calling lay in the entertainment industry.

She began at Breakdown Services, but launched her casting career as an assistant to Stuart Howard in New York City. In 1991, she ventured out to Los Angeles with no job, but quickly became a casting associate for Melrose Place and for the pilot of My So-Called Life. From 1994-1996 she became Manager of Casting at Disney/Touchstone Television, where she supervised casting of all Disney/Touchstone pilots, series and movies of the week.

Responsible for finding and developing new talent, she was promoted to Director of Casting for Disney/Touchstone Television in New York City from 1996-1998. She thrived as an independent casting director for over a decade — becoming the gold standard in children’s television — until her retirement to Palm Springs in 2019.

Goldwasser served as chairperson of the diversity committee for the Casting Society of America, and earned 11 CSA Artios Award nominations, with two wins, as well as a nomination for the Heller Award for Television Casting Director of the Year. She was a member of the Television Academy.

Goldwasser is survived by her sister, Diana Goldwasser; her brother-in-law, Philip Dorman; and her beloved kitty, Nala. She leaves behind a legacy of creativity, compassion and a body of work that will continue to inspire for generations.

A celebration of her life will be held in January, with details to be announced.

“After Carol’s long and successful career in casting, I was excited for her to forge a new path and find deep happiness in her retirement,” says Ann Maney, who was a close friend. “She was thriving. I will miss my dear friend. Goodbye, Doll!”

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