Kimberly Hardin(I)

Kimberly Hardin is a legendary casting director whose career spans more than 30 years in the entertainment industry and embodies an array of critically and commercially successful film and television projects across multiple genres, award-winning art house, binge watchable streamers, and Hollywood blockbusters. Her films have grossed billions worldwide. With a keen eye for talent, Hardin has cast a bevy of actors in game changing roles early in their careers; Damson Idris, Mahershala Ali, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Kingsley Ben Adair, Sofia Vergara, Chris Tucker, Jorge Garcia, Gabrielle Union, Meagan Good, Chiwetel Ejofor, Lauren London, Jennifer Connelly, Rachael Harris, Mike Epps, Derek Luke, and Cole Hauser to name just a few. Hardin has also cast films for such notable directors and producers as the late John Singleton, Jason Blum, Antoine Fuqua, Neal Moritz, Tim Story, Craig Brewer, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Regina King, Will Packer, Regina King, Ice Cube, RZA and Bruna Papandrea.

A 20-year creative collaboration with John Singleton, the history making, Oscar winning writer-director-producer who passed away unexpectedly in 2019, remains a cherished career milestone. Together the two both launched and elevated the careers of now notable actors including Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Ludacris and Tyrese Gibson. Their films together include: "Higher Learning," "Baby Boy," "Four Brothers," "2 Fast 2 Furious," "Hustle and Flow," which received the Sundance Audience Award in 2006, and an Oscar nomination Terrence Howard, and "Black Snake Moan," starring Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, Justin Timberlake and Michael Raymond-James. Hardin's final project with Singleton was his hit TV series, "Snowfall," starring Damson Idris, whom she discovered and cast in the lead role.

Hardin's work with director and Oscar winning actress Regina King has also been extremely rewarding. She first cast King's feature directorial debut "One Night in Miami," which garnered critical acclaim, earning Leslie Odom Jr. an Oscar nomination, garnering a BAFTA nomination for Kingsley Ben Adir as Best Rising Star. For her casting work, Hardin received the prestigious Robert Altman Independent Spirit Award, making history as the first Black casting director to be honored with this achievement. She also received the Artios Award that same year. Next Hardin cast the biopic "Shirley," starring Regina King in the title role and directing. Based on the life of Shirley Chisholm, the history-making political activist who became the first Black woman to run for the office of President of the United State. The film streamed on Netflix.

The successful producing team of Keith and Jess Calder are four-time collaborators with Hardin, beginning with their box office juggernaut turned cult classic "Blair Witch," directed by Adam Wingard, the indie hit "Blindspotting," followed by the streaming series "Blindspotting," of the same title, and "Little Monsters," in which Hardin cast Lupita Nyong'o and Josh Gad in the Australian production from producer Bruna Papandrea.

A member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and the Casting Society of America, Hardin became the first casting director to be interviewed for a documentary film that aired at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, to shine a spotlight on the art of casting. Hardin also holds the distinction of being the only casting director to conduct a major talent search for the leading role of Michael Jackson in three films about his life.

Hardin's upcoming films include: "One Spoon of Chocolate," written and directed by RZA, starring Shameik Moore, RJ Cyler and Paris Jackson, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, and "Liz Here Now;" an inspirational indie film starring Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis Taylor, due for release in 2026, as well as several other independent films.