Joyce Selznick

Joyce Selznick (February 12, 1925 – September 17, 1981) was a talent agent, casting director, and screenwriter. She was the niece of film producer David O. Selznick (Gone with the Wind, 1939), providing her with early exposure to the industry. Her career spanned three decades and began with her discovery of a New York truck driver named Bernie Schwartz whom she developed him into a matinee idol and future actor Tony Curtis. and climaxed with the casting of The Buddy Holly Story, released in 1978. Her work ended with her premature death in 1981 at age 56 from breast cancer.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Joyce Selznick was raised in the Hollywood culture. In the late 1940s, she discovered New York truck driver Bernie Schwartz, who became actor Tony Curtis.

She discovered James Darren around 1955 when he was about 19, recognizing his talent when he contacted her based on the recommendation of a photographer's secretary, Yvonne Bouvier, in 1959. Darren recalls:

Darren was cast in Rumble on the Docks, released in 1956, and after receiving hundreds of fan letters for a non-lead role, his casting and fame continued to flourish.

While working as the eastern talent scout for Colpix Records, a division of Columbia Pictures in 1959, she signed the emerging pianist/singer Nina Simone. Colpix released nine albums for Simone.

Selznick eventually did casting work for films, including 1978's The Buddy Holly Story. She was responsible for selecting Gary Busey to play Holly, in what was an Oscar-nominated performance.

Critics praised Busey's singing and acting, the recognizing of talent in both being something in which Selznick was experienced. Selznick served as the casting director for 13 films during her career and was a screenwriter for three other films.

Selznick was diagnosed with breast cancer, which claimed her life on September 17, 1981 in Hollywood, California.[citation needed ]

In the 1988 TV movie The Ann Jillian Story, Selznick was portrayed by Pam Hyatt.