Andrea Eastman, ‘The Godfather’ Casting Director and Former Hollywood Agent, Dies at 86
Andrea Eastman, the casting director who helped secure Al Pacino’s breakthrough role in “The Godfather” and later became a pioneering Hollywood agent, has died at 86. Her work mattered because she helped shape major films of the New Hollywood era while advancing in an industry then dominated by men.
Eastman worked on the casting of “Love Story” and “Goodbye Columbus”, discovered Tommy Lee Jones, and represented or guided stars including Sylvester Stallone, Richard Gere and Barbra Streisand. In later life she focused on animal welfare, founding a rescue sanctuary and helping campaign for California’s ban on horse slaughter for human consumption; she died at her Santa Barbara home and is survived by former husband Paul N. Lazarus III and family.
- “Godfather” casting director Andrea Eastman has died aged 86.
- She helped secure Al Pacino’s defining early role.
- Later, she became a prominent agent and animal advocate.
New here? Start with this
Casting directors help filmmakers find actors for roles, while agents represent performers and negotiate opportunities for them. Andrea Eastman worked in both jobs during a period when Hollywood was making films such as The Godfather, Love Story and Goodbye, Columbus.
Her work included helping Al Pacino land a role in The Godfather and discovering actor Tommy Lee Jones. She also represented or advised performers including Sylvester Stallone, Richard Gere and Barbra Streisand, building a career in an industry where senior roles were largely held by men.
Eastman later turned her attention to animal welfare, establishing a rescue sanctuary and supporting efforts to stop horse slaughter for human consumption in California. Her career connected two very different fields: shaping who appeared in important films and advocating for animal protection.