Jen Rudin, whose book “Confessions of a Casting Director” comes out in December, says she was happy to accommodate even the strangest celebrity request when she worked at Walt Disney.
“William Shatner always needed fresh sushi, Kiefer Sutherland needed a cigarette and In-N-Out Burger,” she told us. “Rosie O’Donnell needed chicken of some sort. Elaine Stritch, she had to have hard-boiled eggs and skimmed cappuccino. Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson, one of them were vegan or macrobiotic. It was unique.”
Rudin says casting voices for “The Princess and the Frog” was especially tough.
“Beyoncé expected an offer, but wouldn’t audition and so she didn’t get one,” she tells us. “Tyra Banks, Jennifer Hudson wanted it. Alicia Keys auditioned three times . . . They had to sing, so we made it clear they needed sheet music. Tyra came in with a CD, but it didn’t matter because she was so pretty and nice. It went to Anika Noni Rose, who was the most qualified.”
Biggest tip? “You want to work with nice people.”