Introduction
Jack Gilardi (1930–2019) was an American casting director and actor known for representing many of the Hollywood bigwigs such as Burt Reynolds, Don Rickles, Shirley MacLaine, and Roger Moore.
Early Life and education
Jack Gilardi was born on October 5, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Loras College, a small Catholic school in Dubuque, Iowa. He initially wanted to become a doctor, however, with time his aspirations changed and he graduated with a degree in business.
Career
Gilardi served in the US Army at Fort Knox, where he was in charge of arranging entertainment for the soldiers. At the base, he successfully booked musical greats such as Duke Ellington and Ray Anthony. The experience made him pursue a career as a talent agency after his discharge in 1954. After he was discharged, he was hired as an agent by General Artists Corporation, an international talent booking agency. In 1974, the firm merged with Creative Management Associates, which in turn joined with International Famous Agency to form International Creative Management in 1975. His dedication to the firm and the profession was evident on the license plate of his car, which simply read "ICM JG."
In 2006, he did the casting for director/writer Bennett Joshua Davlin's Memory (starring Dennis Hopper, Billy Zane, and Tricia Helfer). In 2017, he was the casting consultant for Joshua Coates-directed horror film But Deliver Us from Evil (starring Eric Roberts, and Grant Harvey).
Over the years, he represented many of the celebrated Hollywood figures such as Frankie Avalon, O. J. Simpson, Ann-Margret, Joe Mantegna, Roy Scheider, Walter Hill, Jaclyn Smith, Charlton Heston, Cliff Robertson, Carroll O'Connor, Shirley MacLaine, Telly Savalas, Jerry Lewis, Joan Collins, Sylvester Stallone, Roger Moore, Frankie Valli, Faye Dunaway, Don Rickles, Burt Reynolds, Robert Wagner, Shelley Winters, Beverly D'Angelo, Paul Anka, and Don Johnson.
Personal life
Gilardi was married to actress and singer Annette Funicello from January 9, 1965, until March 21, 1983. He first met the former Mouseketeer on the set of her 1961 film Babes in Toyland and served as her agent and manager. The marriage ended in a divorce. The couple had three children: actress Gina Portman (born 17 October 1965), film producer Jack Gilardi Jr. (born 10 February 1970), and rock drummer Jason Gilardi (born October 21, 1974).
In 1995, Gilardi was one of the subjects of Annette Funicello's biopic A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story, a television film based on Funicello's autobiography, directed by Bill Corcoran. His character was portrayed by Canadian actor Rob Stewart and the role of Annette Funicello was played by Eva LaRue. His children were also seen in the film.
He was also involved with Little League Baseball; in the 60s, he served as Commissioner of Encino Little League Baseball, and in 1985, the main field at the Encino Little League complex was named "Gilardi Field" in his honor.
Achievements
In 2016, Gilardi received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence as a Talent Agent at the Heller Awards in recognition of his service to the entertainment business and the community.
Death
Gilardi died on September 19, 2019 (aged 88) in Los Angeles, California.