For nearly two decades, J.R. has established himself as an accomplished Casting Director with an extensive résumé spanning hundreds of television projects — a career that began long before his first day on set.
Where It Started
As a child, J.R. would watch his favorite television shows and eagerly wait for the closing credits, hoping to catch a glimpse of his aunt Jacqui Pitman's name on the screen. Seeing her recognized for her work as a Creator and Executive Producer filled him with pride and inspired a dream of his own. By high school, he was confidently telling his teachers that one day, he would become a television producer just like his aunt.
In 2008, Jacqui helped turn that childhood ambition into reality when J.R. landed his first television job as a Casting Assistant on 13: Fear Is Real, a reality competition series produced by acclaimed filmmaker Sam Raimi. Already a fan of Raimi's work, J.R. found himself beginning his career on a production connected to a Hollywood filmmaker he had admired for years — an unforgettable introduction to the entertainment industry.
The Climb
One of the defining chapters of J.R.'s career was his work on Syfy's Face Off, where he served as a Senior Casting Producer across multiple seasons. His career continued to advance through increasingly prominent roles, eventually becoming a Casting Director at Pitman Casting Inc. There, J.R. further developed his expertise in discovering talent, shaping casts, and finding the individuals whose personalities and experiences bring television concepts to life.
His credits include The Golden Bachelor, The Golden Bachelorette, Age of Attraction, Let's Make a Deal, The Price Is Right, Blind Date, Face Off, Deal or No Deal, Hollywood Game Night, Iyanla: Fix My Life, and numerous other productions.
Casting King, Inc.
Building on that foundation, J.R. established Casting King Inc., bringing nearly two decades of experience and his own creative vision to the company. As its owner and Casting Director, he continues to work across a diverse range of unscripted productions — from long-running game shows to contemporary dating series and reality formats.
How J.R. Casts
J.R.'s approach to casting is rooted in a genuine fascination with people. He understands that exceptional television is not simply about finding the biggest personality in the room. It's about recognizing what makes someone interesting, uncovering the experiences that have shaped them, and identifying the qualities that will resonate with an audience.
For J.R., casting is more than filling roles or assembling contestants. It's about giving people an opportunity to share their stories, experience something extraordinary, and sometimes change the direction of their lives.
What began with a young boy proudly watching his aunt's name scroll across a television screen has become a career devoted to discovering the people who make television worth watching. Today, J.R. is building a legacy of his own — carrying forward the inspiration that first brought him into the industry while helping shape the next generation of unscripted entertainment.