Dianne Crittenden, casting director forStar Wars and Pretty Woman, passes away at 82

Dianne Crittenden, renowned casting director celebrated for her work on the original Star Wars, as well as notable films such as Pretty Woman and Spider-Man 2, passed away on March 19 at her Pacific Palisades residence. With a career spanning 40 years, Crittenden made indelible contributions to the film industry, leaving behind a cherished legacy. Her close friend and colleague, Ilene Starger, confirmed her passing.

Dianne Crittenden was born on August 6, 1941, in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, NY. She embarked on her journey in the entertainment industry alongside Howard Zieff, a renowned photographer and director. Together, they collaborated on various advertising campaigns, TV commercials, and film projects, marking the beginning of Crittenden's illustrious career.

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Dianne Crittenden's Career Milestones

Dianne Crittenden's debut as a casting director came with Terrence Malick’s 1973 drama Badlands, featuring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. Following this, she contributed to various films and TV shows, including the Emmy-winning 1976 Sally Field miniseries Sybil. However, it was her pivotal role as casting director for Star Wars that marked a defining moment in her career.

Following her collaboration with George Lucas on the groundbreaking Star Wars franchise, Dianne Crittenden continued to make her mark as a casting director, contributing to numerous films by esteemed directors. Her credits include Terrence Malick's Days of Heaven (1978) and The Thin Red Line (1998), the Best Picture nominee On Golden Pond (1981), and Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 (2004).

Dianne Crittenden's Impact Across Film

Dianne Crittenden's final film credit as casting director was the 2015 drama Little Boy. She also worked in the casting department on Paul Mazursky’s Harry and Tonto (1974), John Schlesinger’s The Day of the Locust (1975), A Star Is Born (1976), and others. She also had onscreen bit roles in three films including Crocodile Dundee II.

Crittenden is survived by her brother, Donald Derfner; sister, Dori Carter; stepdaughter, Jennifer Crittenden; sister-in-law, Brenda Derfner; brother-in-law, Chris Carter; and five nephews.

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