Vale: Hilary Linstead

Trailblazing agent Hilary Linstead, who represented some of Australia’s top actors, writers and director, has died, aged 83.

She passed away on August 6 having been diagnosed with a form of leukaemia in 2018.

Linstead is known for discovering Baz Luhrmann among others, representing him and the likes of Jane Campion, Gillian Armstrong, Neil Armfield.

She was born in London in 1938 but moved to Australia to become an actress. However, she soon switched to become a casting director and worked at International Casting Services representing actresses. She then teamed with Liz Mullinar to form M&L Casting Consultants, casting on productions such as Rocky Horror Show, Jesus Christ Superstar and Picnic at Hanging Rock.

In 1973, she started the first Australian talent agency for writers, directors, composers, choreographers and cinematographers. She then branched out into production, on plays such as The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin, directed by Richard Wherrett and starring Gordon Chater.

In 1985 teamed with Viccy Harper to former the Sydney-based Hilary Linstead & Associates, where she represented clients such as writers Louis Nowra and Andrew Bovell, performers Wendy Harmer, Magda Szubanski and Jean Kittson.

She was casting director on My Brilliant Career, Heatwave, Blue Fin, The Irishman, Touch the Sun and producer on Bootmen, Molly, The Castanet Club.

Sad news, the legendary Hilary Linstead died last night. She'd been unwell for some time and passed peacefully at home with family.
My agent, manager and most treasured friend for some 40 years.
So many in the theatre, film and comedy scene owe her so much.
xxxx
Vale

— Wendy Harmer (@wendy_harmer) August 5, 2022

Source: Deadline

Updated.