Casting director Caro Jones, who cast more than 1,000 TV shows and films including “Rocky,” died of multiple myloma on Sept. 3 in Los Angeles. She was 86.
After starting her career in the theater, Jones worked in the early days of television, casting “The United States Steel Hour,” where she worked with thesps including Johnny Carson, George C. Scott, Patty Duke and Gene Hackman.
After moving to Los Angeles, Jones oversaw casting for Paramount Television on series such as “”Love, American Style,” “Mannix,” “Paper Moon,” and Mel Brook’s pilot “Robin Hood.”
As casting director for for Filmways Television, she cast classic ’60s show such as “Green Acres,” “Petticoat Junction,” and “The Beverly Hillbillies” as well as features “What’s The Matter With Helen?” and “Fuzz.” During this time she met her second husband, Filmway’s Producer Al Simon.
After Filmways, she began her own independent casting company. Her first project was “Rocky,” which won Oscars for best picture and best director for John Avildsen.
Among her other casting credits were Caro “Never Forget,” “King,” “Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy” and “The Martian Chronicles.”
Born in Canada, Jones moved from Canada to New York at the age of 18, landing a job with the touring company of “Oklahoma.” She became a casting assistant to the Theatre Guild’s Casting Director, and quickly became casting director for the Theatre Guild and for live television productions.
In New York, she married a fellow singer, Arthur Eiseman and they had a son, Jack. Jack also became an actor/singer whom she cast in the original Broadway production of “Oliver.”
She continued her association with the Theatre Guild for many years, recently working on the 1996 Broadway and touring company of “State Fair.”
She was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, a member and past Governor of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and a charter member of both the Casting Society of America and Women in Film. She also belonged to SAG, AFTRA and Actor’s Equity.
Caro was the recipient of the Artios Award for her contributions to the casting profession.
Her collection of scripts and production notebooks is housed at the Margaret Herrick Library of The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.
She is survived by two grandchildren and a brother.
