Veteran Casting Pro on ‘The Best Man’, ‘Amistad,’ Spike Lee Films, Dies at 58

Winsome Sinclair, a veteran casting professional known for her extensive work in film and television, passed away on August 12 on Long Island after a battle with colon cancer. She was 58. Sinclair’s representative, Clorissa Wright-Thomas, confirmed the sad news, noting Sinclair had been in hospice care surrounded by her family.

Sinclair’s family shared their grief in a heartfelt statement. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Winsome Sinclair, a woman of extraordinary faith and a trailblazer in the film industry,” they expressed. They remembered her life as a testament to “radical faith” and mentioned she lived each day with a heart full of love and gratitude.

Born on October 27, 1965, on Long Island, Sinclair had an illustrious career as a casting director and casting department professional. She contributed to over a dozen films and several television series, with roles ranging from an internship on Spike Lee’s 1990 film Mo’ Better Blues to active involvement in several current projects.

Sinclair worked closely with several high-profile directors and was notably involved in Spike Lee’s films, including Jungle Fever, 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 .

Her expansive career also includes credits in John Singleton’s Higher Learning, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Abduction, as well as Malcolm D. Lee’s The Best Man and Barbershop: The Next Cut . Among her other significant projects are work on Steven Spielberg’s Amistad, Lee Daniels’ Precious, Forest Whitaker’s Waiting to Exhale, and the Tupac Shakur biopic All Eyez on Me, to name a few.

In television, Sinclair’s contributions include casting for the Gabrielle Union series Being Mary Jane and Dee Rees’ biopic Bessie, which starred Queen Latifah as blues legend Bessie Smith.

Winsome Sinclair is survived by her adopted sons, Micah and Kairo, her parents Shirley and Walter Sinclair, and her brothers Nick, Mike, Kirk, and Barry. The statement from her family emphasized her passion for storytelling and her commitment to her craft, which left an indelible mark on both the film industry and her community.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Winsome Sinclair, a woman of extraordinary faith and a trailblazer in the film industry. Winsome, a graduate of Florida A&M University, passed away on August 12th after dedicating nearly three decades to casting and filmmaking, working alongside iconic directors such as Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, and Lee Daniels. As the founder of Winsome Sinclair and Associates, she was a guiding force behind countless cinematic masterpieces, including Amistad, Malcolm X, and The Best Man. Her passion for storytelling and commitment to her craft touched the lives of many, both within the industry she cherished and the community she held dear.

Winsome’s life was a testament to radical faith, and she lived each day with a heart full of love and gratitude. Beyond her professional achievements, she was a devoted mother to her two children, Micah and Kairo, whom she loved with all her heart. As we grieve this unimaginable loss, we find solace in the respected body of work and legacy she leaves behind.

We love her and will miss her dearly.

In loving memory of Winsome, we kindly ask for your support in helping her sons Micah and Kairo during this difficult time.