About Jane Brinker - Survivor

Jane Brinker was a very famous casting director in New York City for over 30 years. She worked for a large casting firm for a few years after college before deciding to set up her own independent casting company.

She ran the company out of her apartment, and quickly established herself as one of the premier casting and talent scouts in New York. Most notably, she cast Sarah Jessica Parker in her first major role, the role of Annie in the Broadway musical of the same title. She was also involved with the likes of many other notable actors and actresses over the years, including Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta. Over the years she helped many young casting directors also fulfill their dreams by taking them on as apprentices and allowing them to learn from her.

She is full of charm, good-humor, and quick wit and is delightful to be around. She is also a great friend, genuinely loving and caring for the people around her. It is no surprise she was well-respected both as a professional and a person by all who came in contact with her.

Her retirement five years ago came a bit earlier than expected, brought on by a sudden bout with breast cancer. She had to have a major procedure done to remove the cancerous cells immediately, and while she got through the operation, she still lives with some of the effects of it. She still has major pain in her right side and a number of other health issues, the biggest being a rapidly developing case of Alzheimer's. She has to deal with the physical pain as well as mental anguish of losing her mental abilities on a daily basis. She is a true survivor!

I have never seen someone deal with so much and yet still be able to laugh and smile so easily. It is on this note that we would like to honor her, for constantly fighting and keeping her good humor in the midst of constant distress. Please keep her in your prayers!

Submitted by Zak Clark