Debra Zane on Discovering a Young Actor

Over a dozen years ago, a friend of mine told me about an actor. Evidently, a neighbor of his was in a showcase, and so he went to check the neighbor out. It was another actor who caught my friend's eye. With rare enthusiasm, my friend insisted I meet this other actor. Since I assumed I would probably like the kid personally, I thought I might as well have him audition for something. I was casting "American Beauty" at the time. Although the actor was clearly nervous (this being his very first official audition), I could tell he was talented. I called him back in to read the scene for director Sam Mendes. Sam really liked the actor, but the role went to someone else. Shortly thereafter, I was casting "The Limey" for Steven Soderbergh. I tried this actor for a role in Steven's film, and he was cast. We helped this actor get into the Screen Actors Guild, and I have since cast him six or seven times. His career is alive and well, and I am proud to have helped him get started. That actor's name is Brandon Keener, and his wife became the talented casting director Elizabeth Barnes!

Debra Zane has cast the "Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" franchise, "Revolutionary Road," "Dreamgirls," the "Ocean's" series, and "Galaxy Quest," among many other films.