Wikipedia

Robert J. Ulrich (casting director)

Robert J. Ulrich is an American casting director and producer active since the 1980s and best known for casting television shows including Glee, The Boys, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, Supernatural, Battlestar Galactica, CSI, Diagnosis: Murder and Matlock. He has also cast most Ryan Murphy productions since Popular in 1999. He has been nominated for eight Emmy Awards, winning a Primetime Emmy Award for casting Glee. He has been nominated for the Artios Awards 22 times and won twice, for casting Glee and Nip/Tuck.

Career

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Robert J. Ulrich began his career as a stage actor, but realized he would not be successful. He moved into casting and says he learned more about acting his first time behind the table than in his previous career.[1][2]

Known for casting musical television series, Ulrich told The Hollywood Reporter that "it's so much more fun when you're doing a musical, because people are singing and your day's suddenly better".[3] He developed this musical casting process for the show Rhapsody, which did not get greenlit. Initially, he would have auditionees sing a cappella or with a backing track, but insisted on bringing a live pianist for the callbacks, saying in 2020 that "great singers are better with a piano and less trained singers are much better with a piano".[4] He has also said that having live piano sets actors at ease.[1] The pianist he found for the Rhapsody callbacks was Brad Ellis, whom he would use for subsequent musical auditions as well as integrating into shows like Glee. Ulrich's musical casting process has not changed since Rhapsody, and he encourages actors to showcase themselves. He has also opined that for television, he considers acting ability above singing[4][5] and that actors from the stage "should bring it down for the screen".[1] Sometimes for auditions later in a show a pianist will not be used.[1]

Ulrich became involved with Glee through his business partner Eric Dawson, who had worked with creator Ryan Murphy on multiple occasions; Dawson suggested Ulrich should be involved due to his musical background.[5] While working on the show he helped develop the reality series The Glee Project, which he described as an extension of the comedy-musical's casting process.[6] In 2021, The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Ulrich does not find musical casting challenging, as he has many connections with triple threat performers; for Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist he cast several actors he had seen for prior auditions, including Jane Levy, who had previously auditioned for him for The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again, and Michael Thomas Grant and Alex Newell who had been contestants on The Glee Project.[3]

He is affiliated with professional guilds The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Casting Society of America, the Producers Guild of America, and Teamsters Local 399.[citation needed]

He was also a producer of Billy Boy, a 2017 film written by and starring Glee performers Melissa Benoist and Blake Jenner.[7]

Personal life

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He is married to Kim Johnston Ulrich. The couple judged the annual "Valley's Got Talent" in Ulrich's hometown of Modesto, California, together.[8]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Production Role(s) Notes Refs.
1988 The Unholy Casting
1988 Midnight Crossing Casting
1989 Paint It Black Casting
1990 Spies on Ice Casting
1990 Downtown Casting
1992 Spies, Inc. Casting
1993 Airborne Casting
1993 Monolith Casting
1999 Cold Hearts Casting
2005 Wheelmen Casting, co-producer
2016 Holly's Girl Casting, executive producer Short film
2016 This is How Casting Short film
2017 Billy Boy Casting, producer
2018 Mail Order Monster Casting, producer
2019 Assimilate Casting
2019 Softer Casting, producer Short film
2019 Foster Boy Casting, co-producer
2020 The Boys in the Band Casting

Television

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All roles only casting unless noted.

Year Production Notes Refs.
1988 Family Man
1989 Father Dowling Mysteries
1991 Adventures in Wonderland Pilot
1991 This Gun for Hire TV movie
1990–1992 Jake and the Fatman
1991–1992 Eerie, Indiana
1992 The Hannigans Pilot
1992 The Round Table
1992–1993 Melrose Place
1993 Arly Hanks Pilot
1993 Ned Blessing: The True Story of My Life TV movie
1991–1994 Perry Mason 10 episodes; TV film series
1994 Weldon Pond Pilot
1994 Close to Home Pilot
1994 The Byrds of Paradise
1994 Green Dolphin Beat TV movie
1994 Heaven Help Us
1988–1995 Matlock
1994–1995 Ray Alexander 2 episodes; TV film series
1995 Hell Pilot
1995 Fast Company Pilot
1995 P.C.H.
1995 Extreme Blue
1995 Gramps
1995 Bringing up Jack
1995 Deadly Games
1995 The Adventures of Captain Zoom in Outer Space
1995–1996 Strange Luck
1996 The Gail O'Grady Project
1996 Dark Angel
1996 She Cried No
1996 Dark Skies
1995–1997 Diagnosis: Murder
1996–1997 Moloney
1997 Dogs Pilot
1997 Spy Game
1997 Timecop
1997 The Gregory Hines Show
1997–1998 Early Edition
1997–1998 Pensacola: Wings of Gold
1998 The Dave Chappelle Project Pilot
1998 Glory, Glory Pilot
1998 DayBreak Pilot
1998 Rag and Bone
1998 Rude Awakening
1998 To Have & to Hold
1998 The Wonderful World of Disney Anthology series
1998 Wind on Water
1998–1999 The Net
1999 Sagamore Pilot
1999 Partner Pilot
1999 Ladies Man
1999 Ryan Caulfield: Year One
2000 Brutally Normal
1999–2001 Popular
2001 Earth Angels Pilot
2001 Sam's Circus Pilot
2001 The Chronicle
1998–2002 Any Day Now
1998–2002 V.I.P.
2000–2002 Dark Angel
2001–2002 The Tick
2001–2002 Felicity
2002 CSI: Miami Pilot
2002 The American Embassy
2002 Push, Nevada
2002 MDs
2001–2003 The Agency
2003 Naked Hotel Pilot
2003 Crazy Love Pilot
2003 Hope & Faith
2003 The Lyon's Den
2003 Battlestar Galactica Miniseries
2001–2004 The Chris Isaak Show
2002–2004 Odyssey 5
2004 Homeland Security TV movie
2004–2005 Jack & Bobby
2005 Cyber Seduction: His Secret Life TV movie
2005 Wildfire
2002–2006 The Dead Zone
2003–2006 Missing
2004–2006 Everwood
2005–2006 Killer Instinct
2005–2006 Just Legal
2006 Standoff Pilot
2006 Kyle XY Pilot
2006 Him and Us Pilot
2006 The Book of Daniel
2006 Not Like Everyone Else
2006 The Year Without a Santa Claus TV movie
2006 Monarch Cove
2005–2007 Eyes
2006–2007 Day Break
2007 Conspiracy Pilot
2007 Company Man Pilot
2007 Battlestar Galactica: Razor TV movie
2007 Bionic Woman
2007 Journeyman
2008 The Mentalist Pilot
2008 Pretty/Handsome Pilot
2004–2009 Battlestar Galactica
2008–2009 Eli Stone
2008–2009 Eureka
2009 Virtuality Pilot
2009 The Magic 7 TV movie; animation
2003–2010 Nip/Tuck
2007–2010 Saving Grace
2009–2010 Eastwick
2010 Tower Prep Pilot
2010 Scoundrels
2010 Lone Star
2010 Caprica
2010–2011 Rizzoli & Isles
2011 Spring/Fall
2011 Against the Wall
2008–2012 In Plain Sight
2012 The Frontier
2012 The Glee Project Reality competition show; also co-creator and coach
2009–2013 Drop Dead Diva
2013–2014 Witches of East End
2014 Crisis
2000–2015 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2008–2015 Glee
2014–2015 Helix
2015 Stanistan Pilot
2015 CSI: Cyber Pilot
2015 Quantico Pilot
2016 The Jury Pilot
2016 Marvel's Most Wanted Pilot
2016 Home Pilot
2016 Conviction Pilot
2016 The Family
2016 Underground
2016 Game of Silence
2016 The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again TV movie
2016–2017 The Exorcist
2017 The Haunted Pilot
2017 Doomsday Pilot
2017 Behind Enemy Lines Pilot
2017 Feud
2017 Daytime Divas
2013–2018 Major Crimes
2014–2018 Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce
2016–2018 Designated Survivor
2016–2018 Shooter
2018 Chiefs
2019 Thirtysomething(else) Pilot
2019 Prism Pilot
2019 L.A.'s Finest Pilot
2005–2020 Supernatural
2018–2020 The Good Doctor
2019–2020 Tell Me a Story
2020 Tiny Pretty Things
2020–2021 Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
2021 Epic Pilot
2021 Untitled Goonies Re-enactment Project Pilot
2021 Generation
2011–present American Horror Story Anthology series
2018–present The Rookie
2018–present 9-1-1
2019–present The Boys
2019–present All Rise
2020-2023 Big Sky
2020-2024 Station 19
2020–present Grey's Anatomy
2021–present American Horror Stories Anthology series
TBC Monarch
TBC In From the Cold
TBC Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
TBC Untitled The Boys Spinoff

Theatre

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Year Production Role(s) Notes Refs.
2017 The Civility of Albert Cashier Casting, producer

Awards and nominations

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In over 30 years in casting, Ulrich and his company Ulrich/Dawson/Kritzer Casting (UDK) have been nominated for over twenty Artios Awards and nine Emmy Awards.[9][10]

Year Association Category Work Result Refs.
1992 Artios Awards Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Casting Adventures in Wonderland Nominated [11]
1998 Artios Awards Outstanding Achievement in Comedy Pilot Casting The Gregory Hines Show Nominated [12]
2000 Popular Nominated [13]
2004 Dramatic Pilot Casting Nip/Tuck Nominated [14]
Dramatic Episodic Casting Nominated
2005 Outstanding Achievement in Dramatic Episodic Casting Won [15]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series Nominated [16]
2006 Artios Awards Children's Television Casting Wildfire Nominated [17]
2007 Kyle XY Nominated [18]
2008 Outstanding Achievement in Drama Pilot Casting Saving Grace Nominated [19]
2009 Outstanding Achievement in Comedy Pilot Casting Glee Won [20]
2010 Media Access Award Won [21]
Television Series – Comedy Casting Nominated [22]
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series Nominated [23]
2011 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Won [24]
Artios Awards Television Series – Comedy Casting Nominated [25]
2012 Mini-Series Casting American Horror Story: Murder House Nominated [26]
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Nominated [27]
2013 Artios Awards Mini-Series Casting American Horror Story: Asylum Nominated [28]
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Nominated [29]
2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards American Horror Story: Coven Nominated [30]
2015 Artios Awards Mini-Series Casting Nominated [31]
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special American Horror Story: Freak Show Nominated [32]
2016 Artios Awards Mini-Series Casting Nominated [33]
2017 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special Feud: Betty and Joan Nominated [34]
2018 Artios Awards Limited Series Casting Nominated [35]
Film – Non-theatrical Release Casting The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again Nominated
2019 Hoyt Bowers Award Contribution to casting Won [9]
Micro-Budget Feature Casting – Comedy or Drama Billy Boy Nominated [10]
2021 Television Pilot and First Season – Comedy Casting Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Nominated [36]
Television Pilot and First Season – Drama Casting The Boys Nominated
2023 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Roth, Elyse (July 22, 2020). "What to Know About Auditioning for Musical Series Like 'Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist'". Backstage. Robert J. Ulrich (interview). Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  2. ^ Wandera, Yvonne (February 10, 2015). "Interview: Casting Director Robert Ulrich on Discovering Unknown Actors and Tips on Self-Taping Auditions". Daily Actor. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Rizzo, Carita (January 14, 2021). "Casting Directors From 'Never Have I Ever,' 'Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, 'P-Valley' and More Talk Curating Chemistry Between Co-Stars". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Liroff, Marci (July 24, 2020). "The CD Behind 'Glee' Reveals the 3 Best Singers He's Ever Worked With". Backstage. Robert J. Ulrich (interview). Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Votta, Rae (March 16, 2015). "Glee Pilot Oral History, Part 1: Casting Call". Out Magazine. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  6. ^ Kushigemachi, Todd (March 18, 2014). "Casting Director Robert Ulrich Keeps 'Glee' Talent Flow Open". Variety. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  7. ^ Episode 8 - Robert J. Ulrich. Placing Faces Podcast. Retrieved April 29, 2021 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ Loria, Keith (April 24, 2020). "How The Glee Project Helped Launch These Performers to Stardom". Playbill. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Smart, Jack (September 20, 2018). "CSA Discloses 2019 Artios Award Nominees, Honoring Ulrich/Dawson/Kritzer Casting". Backstage. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Nordyke, Kimberly (January 31, 2019). "Casting Society of America's Artios Awards: 'Green Book,' 'Vice' Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  11. ^ "1992 Artios Awards". Casting Society. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "1998 Nominees/Winners". Casting Society of America. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  13. ^ "2000 Nominees/Winners". Casting Society of America. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  14. ^ "2004 Artios Awards". Casting Society. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  15. ^ "2005 Artios Awards". Casting Society. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  16. ^ "Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series Nominees / Winners 2005". Television Academy. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  17. ^ "2006 Artios Awards". Casting Society. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  18. ^ "2007 Artios Awards". Casting Society. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  19. ^ "2008 Artios Awards". Casting Society. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  20. ^ "2009 Nominees/Winners". Casting Society of America. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  21. ^ "Media Access Awards". Casting Society. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  22. ^ "2010 Artios Awards". Casting Society. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  23. ^ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  24. ^ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  25. ^ "2011 Artios Awards". Casting Society. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  26. ^ "Complete list of 2012 Artios Winners". Casting Society of America. November 7, 2012. castingsociety.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  27. ^ "Creative Arts Emmy Awards Winners" (PDF). Television Academy. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 2, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  28. ^ "2013 ARTIOS AWARDS WINNERS". Casting Society of America. November 18, 2013. castingsociety.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  29. ^ "Creative Arts Emmy Awards Winners" (PDF). Television Academy. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  30. ^ "Outstanding Casting For A Miniseries Movie Or A Special Nominees / Winners 2014". Television Academy. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  31. ^ "30TH ARTIOS AWARDS WINNERS". Casting Society of America. January 22, 2015. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  32. ^ "Outstanding Casting For A Miniseries Movie Or A Special Nominees / Winners 2015". Television Academy. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  33. ^ "2016 Artios Awards". Casting Society of America. January 21, 2016. castingsociety.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  34. ^ "Outstanding Casting For A Miniseries Movie Or A Special Nominees / Winners 2017". Television Academy. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  35. ^ "2018 Artios Awards". Casting Society. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  36. ^ Lewis, Hilary (April 15, 2021). "Artios Awards: 'Borat 2,' 'Trial of the Chicago 7,' 'Minari' Among Film Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
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