Casting Director Winsome Sinclair, Spike Lee Collaborator, Dies at 58

Winsome Sinclair, a highly respected casting director known for her frequent collaborations with Spike Lee, has passed away at the age of 58 following a fight with colon cancer. This sad news was confirmed by producer and publicist Cassandra Butcher through a heartfelt Instagram post.

“Winsome Sinclair brought light to everyone she encountered, with a unique ability to see more in people than they could see in themselves,” Butcher wrote on Instagram. “A true fan of life and culture, her passion for the arts and her deep love for family and community will continue to inspire those who know her. Winsome’s legacy in the film industry and the lives she touched will live on, reminding us of her vibrant spirit and the stories she helped bring to life.”

Born in 1966, Sinclair began her Hollywood career as a casting production assistant on Lee’s 1991 film “Jungle Fever.” She quickly ascended in the casting world, contributing to many of Lee’s iconic films. Her work with Lee spans numerous projects, including “Malcolm X,” “Crooklyn,” “Clockers,” “Get on the Bus,” “He Got Game,” “Summer of Sam,” “25th Hour,” “She Hate Me,” “Inside Man,” “Miracle at St. Anna,” and “Red Hook Summer.” Often, she was responsible for casting extras and local actors, which provided these films with distinct and authentic flair.

Rising through the ranks, Sinclair soon transitioned to the role of casting director. Her first major film as a casting director was the 1998 movie “Belly.” She continued to excel in this role with notable projects such as the 2017 Tupac Shakur biopic “All Eyez on Me.”

Sinclair remained active in the film industry up until her passing. Some of her recent projects include “The Night Before Christmas” and “All In.” In 2014, she moved to Atlanta, becoming an integral part of the city’s filmmaking community over the past decade.

Winsome Sinclair is survived by her two adopted children, her parents, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. To support her family during this difficult time, a GoFundMe page has been established.

“Our sweet angel Winsome Sinclair was a ‘woman of the word.’ She believed deeply in “radical faith” and lived her life in that way,” states the GoFundMe page. “She touched so many lives in the film and entertainment industry, and the prayer community to which she was a member.”