Sheila Manning

Sheila Manning has been at the forefront of commercial casting for the past 4 decades, casting tens of thousands of projects to date, and booking more actors than any other casting director.  The projects Sheila has cast are commercials conceived by the most prestigious ad agencies in the world and shot by award winning directors.

The trip to stardom for many actors has started in Manning’s office.  Future stars such as Michael J. Fox, River and Joaquin Phoenix, Shannen Doherty, Jake Lloyd, Haley Joel Osment, Elijah Wood, David Dorfman, Efren Ramirez, Angus T. Jones and Nolan Gould to name a few. Sheila has also cast the babies for Lemony Snicket, Meet the Fockers and Baby Bob (commercials and series).

Manning has always been committed to, and recognized for her public service to the industry. She co-founded and was president of the first Association of Commercial Casting Directors. She has received the Max Award, Media Access Award and Seymour Heller Award.  Sheila also has a long and varied history with the Academy of Arts and Sciences.  She has served multiple terms as Governor of the Commercials Peer Group, and is very proud of spearheading the successful campaign for the recognition of the art with an Emmy for commercials.


Her passion for mentoring actors is well known throughout the industry, especially through her commercial workshops and as an instructor at UCLA Extension.