Hilary Linstead (18 October 1938 – 5 August 2022) was a British and Australian actor and producer. She was also a talent agent and casting director. She nurtured and promoted many of Australia's leading directors John Bell,[1]Jim Sharman, Gillian Armstrong, Jane Campion, Neil Armfield,[2] and Baz Luhrmann.[1] Over the course of her career, Linstead represented performers and comedians. Other talent she represented included writers, designers, composers, choreographers, and cinematographers.
Early life and education
Linstead, the only daughter of Aileen Edith Ellis Rowland Abbott and Reginald Patrick Linstead[3] was
born on 18 October 1938 in London.[3] Her parents met while working as science research students in London. Linstead's mother died of sepsis six days after giving birth, and Linstead was raised by a nanny until the age of 4, when her father remarried. Patrick Linstead was a prominent chemist.[3]
Linstead traveled to Australia while working as actress with an English touring company.[4] She later was employed by International Casting Services as a casting director.[3]
In 1981, Linstead produced the documentary 14's Good, 18's Better with Gillian Armstrong and Tim Read. The film was directed by Armstrong.[5]Heatwave was the first feature film she produced. Phil Noyce was its director. The children's film Molly starring Claudia Karvan followed.
M&L Casting Consultants closed in 1985, and Linstead partnered with Viccy Harper to form Hilary Linstead & Associates. Jean Kittson and Wendy Harmer, were among the performers they represented. Andrew Bovell and Louis Nowra were among their writers.
[2]
Between 1985 and 1995, Linstead was the producer of Buzz and Pardon Me Boys stage productions. For The Castanet Club, she was the film's associate producer and Neil Armfield was the director.
Linstead produced Bootmen (2000), and its inspiration, Tap Dogs by Dein Perry (creator and director).[1]
Later life and death
In 2000, Hilary Linstead & Associates was sold and became HLA Management. It is now managed by Kate Richter, whom Linstead mentored.[1]
She and Elizabeth Davies, her friend, wrote Growing Old Outrageously, a memoir of Linstead's life, in 2013. The book was published by Allen & Unwin.[6][2]
In 2018, Linstead's health began to decline and she was diagnosed with leukemia. She died in her home on 5 August 2022.[2]
^"Actress is a casting director". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 34, no. 50. Australia. 10 May 1967. p. 5. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
