Andrea Eastman, renowned casting director, passes away at 86

Andrea Eastman, a prominent casting director known for her work on "The Godfather" and a longtime agent and manager at ICM, died at the age of 86 on Wednesday, as confirmed by a family spokesperson to The Hollywood Reporter. Eastman passed away in her sleep at her home in Santa Barbara. In the months leading up to her death, she reportedly referenced the California End of Life Option Act, which allows terminally ill adults access to aid-in-dying drugs. A source who saw her recently noted that she mentioned the law in a casual manner, indicating she was seriously considering medical aid in dying. Despite her health challenges, including open heart surgery six years ago, the source described her spirit as positive. Eastman had documented her journey in a children's book titled "Trooper at the Beverly Hills Hotel," published in 2022, which highlighted the role of her golden retriever, Trooper, in her recovery. She was credited with discovering notable talents such as Jaclyn Smith and played a significant role in connecting key figures in major films like "Jaws" and "When Harry Met Sally." Eastman celebrated her last birthday in June with a Zoom party attended by former clients, including Katherine Heigl and Billy Crystal.