Biography for
Billy DaMota More at IMDbPro »

Nickname

Mini Biography

Raised in San Francisco, California, Billy DaMota moved to Los Angeles in the 70s, hoping to find a place as a guitar player in the Southern California music scene.

But Disco happened, and his live music career was put on hold.

So in the mid 80s, Billy began his casting career as an assistant on such films as Predator, The Running Man, The Three Amigos and Project X. In 1988 he was hired as the casting associate on the gang epic, Colors, directed by Dennis Hopper. Billy became an independent casting director with the film Miracle Mile, starring Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham. He went on to cast Steven Seagal's first film, Above the Law, directed by Andrew Davis, the legendary cult classic Chopper Chicks in Zombie Town, casting the then unknown Billy Bob Thornton in his first co-starring role, and Sacred Cargo with Martin Sheen and the late Chris Penn.

Over the years, Billy has cast actors like Luke Perry, Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt, Faye Dunaway, James Franco, Martin Landau, Karen Black, Tony Curtis, John Denver and the legendary Mickey Rooney. He even co-wrote a screenplay with Dr. Timothy Leary!

Billy moved into producing with the award winning Reflections in the Dark, starring Billy Zane and Mimi Rogers. He worked with director Alex Proyas as a casting consultant on The Crow as well as the Will Smith hit I, Robot.

In the world of Music Videos, Billy has worked with artists such as Tori Amos, The Basement Jazz, Faith Hill, George Strait, Dave Navarro, Ministry, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and The Ramones.

Billy joined the The Casting Society of America in 1992, has served on their Board of Directors and on numerous committees over the years, and has been nominated twice for Best Casting for an Independent Film. Billy eventually resigned from the organization after years of struggling with CSA over ethical issues involving the notorious Pay-to-Play scheme, and founded DoNotPay.org to help educate and inform actors about the scam - which continues to this day.

Billy is also an accomplished guitarist and songwriter. He appears with the Gene Butler Band singing and performing in the film Holyman Undercover, he co-wrote the song "Comes on Too Strong" which is featured in the film Changing Habits, and has recorded with Hellecaster Will Ray and ex-Mike Bloomfield sideman, the late great Gashouse Dave. He has displayed his paintings and photographs at the world famous Fender Museum, in Corona, California and published his first book, Whispering Lunacies: 100 Love Poems. His second book, "An Actor Grovels" is due out soon.

Trivia

Founded DoNotPay.org in 2001 to help educate and inform actors.

Owns all of Billy Bob Thornton's old antique furniture.

Collects vintage guitars.

Is allergic to cats.

Rescues cats and has six living in his house.

Rides a Harley.

Personal Quotes

"Paying to audition for a casting assistant in a 'workshop' to 'demystify the casting process' is like paying a hooker to become a better conversationalist."

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