Amanda Mackey, Who Cast ‘A League of Their Own,’ ‘Rocky IV’ and Dozens More, Dies at 70

thewrap.com:

multiple media reports, Mackey died in her sleep on Saturday from a type of blood cancer called myelodysplastic syndrome at NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn.The 15-time Artios Award winner, bestowed by the Casting Society of America for casting excellence, earned her first credits as a casting assistant in the early ’80s on films such as “The World According to Garp” and worked her way through the ranks of associate and consultant.In 1985, she served as casting director for the first time on “Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins” and “Rocky IV.” Mackey would go on to assemble the players for celebrated films such as “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” “Gladiator,” “Of Mice and Men,” “While You Were Sleeping,” “Practical Magic,” “Inspector Gadget,” “We Were Soldiers,” “Holes,” “27 Dresses” and “Bad Moms.” Her TV work included “Memphis Beat,” “Hell On Wheels,” “Claws” and “A Million Little Things.” Additionally, Mackey served as an executive producer on four projects.

She was set to earn her first producing credit for the forthcoming film “Famous.”Among others, she was recognized for “A League of Their Own” in 1993 and “Smokin’ Aces” in 2006.

Mackey shared an Emmy nomination with Cathy Sandrich Gelfond, with whom she led Mackey/Sandrich Casting, for their work on “The Normal Heart.”“Amanda was a singular force — fiercely intelligent, impeccably stylish, wildly passionate about ideas, the state of the world and her work,” Sandrich Gelfond told Deadline. “She loved her daughters profoundly and was an unwaveringly steadfast friend and champion in a time when women weren’t as supportive to other women as they are now.