Fred Roos

Frederick Ried Roos (May 22, 1934 – May 18, 2024) was an American film producer and casting director. He was best known for his contributions to the New Hollywood movement, particularly through his collaborations with director Francis Ford Coppola. He won the Academy Award for Best Picture for The Godfather: Part II, with further nominations for The Conversation (1974) and Apocalypse Now (1979).

Early life Frederick Ried Roos was born on May 22, 1934, in Santa Monica, California, the son of Florence Mary (née Stout) and Victor Otto Roos. He attended Hollywood High School and subsequently attended University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in theatre arts and motion pictures.

He served two tours in the United States Army, stationed in South Korea, where he befriended future producer/director Garry Marshall.

Career Following his exit from the military, Roos started his career in the entertainment industry with talent agency MCA Inc., where he performed a series of odd jobs, including serving as driver to Marilyn Monroe, before being promoted to junior agent He began his career as a casting director for television, working on The Andy Griffith Show, That Girl, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., and I Spy.

Further credits as casting director included Five Easy Pieces, Fat City, Petulia, and Zabriskie Point.

Personal life Roos married Nancy Drew in 1986. They had one son, Alexander "Sandy" Roos, who later became Roos' producing partner.

Roos died in Beverly Hills, California, on May 18, 2024, four days shy of his 90th birthday. His final film, Megalopolis, held its world premiere two days prior at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Filmography

As producer (including co-producer and executive producer)

As casting director