Died January 19, 2012.

Beverly McDermott, a Hollywood resident who became one of Florida's most prominent casting directors of film and TV, died at 83 years of age.

McDermott cast more than 250 movies and TV series over a 40-year career. Among the films she cast were "Lenny," which was nominated for seven Academy Awards, both "Cocoon" movies and "Scarface." Her TV credits include "Miami Vice" and "The Jackie Gleason Show" during its five years in Miami Beach.

She and her husband, Jack, also were active in the pop music field. They discovered '60s teen idol Freddy Cannon, whose hits include "Tallahassee Lassie," and they produced the comeback performance at the Diplomat Hotel in 1989 of Connie Francis, who became a close friend. They also were involved in Judy Garland's performance at the Miami Beach Convention Center in the 1960s. She was the first casting director from Florida to become a member of the Casting Society of America. She also was first vice president of both the National Academy of Arts and Sciences and Women in Motion Pictures.

McDermott is survived by her husband, son Richard, daughter Cheryl, brother Paul Sayers and sister Eileen Crowley.