(NOTE: Actual “history” is important to me, in this day and age of people finding out info on Tik Tok for their education, I’ve turned all highlighted words into clickable links in this article.)
John Frank Levey is a renowned American casting director, best known for his work on acclaimed television series and his significant contributions to the world of casting. With a career spanning several decades, Levey has been instrumental in shaping the ensembles of some of television’s most iconic shows. He is perhaps most famous for his work on ER, The West Wing, Shameless, and Southland, where his keen eye for talent helped launch or elevate the careers of numerous actors.
Levey’s career achievements include multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Casting, showcasing his expertise in finding the perfect actors for complex roles. His ability to spot talent early in actors’ careers has made him a trusted figure in the industry, helping cast several stars in breakthrough roles.
In addition to his impressive casting career, Levey has also authored a memoir titled Right for the Role, where he shares insights from his experiences in Hollywood, including behind-the-scenes stories of casting major series, collaborating with creators, and offering advice for aspiring actors and casting professionals.
Levey’s impact on television casting has left a lasting legacy, making him one of the most respected and influential casting directors in the entertainment industry. I personally am excited to learn what he will take on next! And now… 4 time Emmy Award Winner…Mr. John Frank Levey…
TD: Can you share a bit about your childhood/background and upbringing?
JFL: I was born at Baby’s Hospital in NYC into a family of progressive professionals. My mom was a scientist and educator. My dad was a journalist at The New York Times. My home life was dotted with interesting and unusual people. I have an older brother.
TD: How did your early experiences shape your career path into casting entertainment?
JFL: My mom took me to the theatre often as a boy and as a teen—big musicals and plays I had no business experiencing: Edward Albee, Harold Pinter, Samuel Beckett. I felt in the theatre the way I imagine others feel in houses of worship. I felt at home.
TD: Were there any significant influences or mentors who played a role in your journey?
JFL: My mom, for sure. Later, casting directors Barbara Claman, Marsha Kleiman, and Phyllis Huffman. My children, Oliver and Joanna, have guided me daily.
TD: You’ve had a remarkable career casting some of the most iconic television shows in history. Can you share a particularly memorable or unexpected moment discovering talent and anyone who greatly surprised you or changed your mind?
JFL: During the AIDS epidemic, we were making ER. John Wells called and said he wanted an authentic AIDS patient to tell one particular story. I rounded up a bunch of young men. They read. One, in particular, was quite spectacular. We told him so. He asked when the shoot date was. I told him it was a few days away. He paused and said, ‘My T cell count is zero. I likely won’t be alive.’ I understood the health crisis on a whole new level.
TD: I remember being in college and going to one of my very first auditions for E.R. and having to navigate traffic and the 134 Freeway, then finding the correct Warner Brothers entrance gate and then parking, what seemed like a million miles away, on the very large Warner Brothers Lot in Burbank. By the time, I made it to your office, dealt with the walk, the hot sun and nerves, I already felt put through the ringer. In these days of self-tapes, we no longer have to deal with that like we did in the past. What’s your biggest take away about how the casting process has evolved since you first started in the industry, and what do you think the future holds for casting directors?
JFL: That’s kinda funny. Yes, you all don’t have to deal with all of that stuff, and yet, for me, the idea of telling stories about people with far less human contact is sad and a bit absurd.
TD: You’ve worked with a wide range of talented actors, from established stars to newcomers. What qualities do you look for in an actor now during the casting process? Does social media play a factor for you?
JFL: I don’t care a bit about your number of followers. I’m still looking for sparkle, preparation, bravery, and commitment.
TD: Best advice for actors when preparing for auditions in the climate of self tape direct bookings?
JFL: Have a good tech setup and do your work. Stop trying to please me or figure out what I’m looking for. Capitalize on your unique gifts.
TD: Are there common mistakes you see actors make during auditions/self tapes?
JFL: Yes. They often spend time strategizing instead of being authentically themselves and joining the circumstances of the character.
TD: You’ve been a mentor to many aspiring actors and casting directors. What’s your short and sweet advice that you give to those just starting out in the industry?
JFL: Collaborate, be part of a community, take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously.
TD: What do you feel actors still misunderstand about the casting process after all these years?
JFL: We are not the wall between them and the job; we are the doorway. Earn your way in. We are people and artists, just like you.
TD: After 35 years in the biz, what inspired you to write Right for the Role, and what do you hope readers will take away from it?
JFL: Boredom during the pandemic and a sincere wish to provide a perspective from inside the process.
TD: In your book, you emphasize the importance of collaboration and community in the entertainment industry. Can you share an example of a project where this collaboration was particularly impactful or didn’t work at all?
JFL: All of the shows we did at John Wells Productions were about the creation of collaboration and community—the ones that rocketed to enormous success and the ones that fizzled as well.
TD: You recently directed a reading presentation of the 2021 National Jewish Playwriting Contest Winner, “Who By Fire.” What drew you to this project, and what was your experience like directing theater after years in casting? Do you want to do more directing?
JFL: I knew the writer as an actress, and I loved the play. Yes, I will continue to cast and direct in the theatre.
TD: You’ve won multiple Emmy Awards and Artios Awards for your work as a casting director. What do these awards mean to you, and how do you stay motivated to continue pushing the boundaries of your craft?
JFL: My individual accolades are lovely, but no one does casting alone. I’m motivated by my love of people and the stories they tell.
TD: Now that there is a category for Casting Directors to be awarded an Oscar for film at The Academy Awards, do you feel the challenge to reach for that? There are so many actor/filmmakers like myself who have so many projects in development and in need of a collaborative Casting Director to help package, do you welcome some of those smaller jobs with budgets between 1-10M?
JFL: I’m thrilled that the long overdue award will exist. My work has mostly been in TV, and I expect that will continue.
TD: In addition to your professional accomplishments, you’re also a proud father. How has being a parent influenced your approach to your career and your work in the entertainment industry?
JFL: My role as a dad is the most wonderful, thrilling, and important part of my life.
TD: Outside of your professional work in casting, can you tell us a little about some of your passions and hobbies that you haven’t gotten to yet?
JFL: I’m a bit of a sports nut. I love to cook for friends and loved ones.
TD: Pandemic, strike, AI feels like “Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!” What brings you joy these days?
JFL: My kids, my longtime partner, and a great bottle of Italian red wine.
Levey’s memoir is filled with captivating anecdotes, humor, and personal reflections on his life, career, and the casting process itself. From his early experiences to casting iconic shows, Levey offers readers a behind-the-scenes view of how he discovered and championed some of today’s biggest stars. With honesty, humility, and a clear love for actors and the craft, Levey demystifies the casting process, making this a must-read for aspiring actors, casting directors, and anyone curious about the inner workings of the entertainment industry. It’s a delightful and insightful read from a master of his craft.
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"John Frank Levey is a maestro, a savant. Like a musician with perfect pitch, John can hear the talent underneath a terrible audition...he speaks a language that we don't all speak, and he translates that language into performance and something transcendent." -John Wells, showrunner and executive producer of ER, The West Wing and Shameless
