Rich King Casting
A Los Angeles background casting company known for working on major network television shows.
Overview
Rich King Casting is a well-known background casting company operating in the Los Angeles market, recognized for its strong working relationships with network television productions and major feature films. The company, headed by casting director Rich King, has been a consistent presence in the LA background casting community for many years, earning a reputation for professionalism and reliability that keeps production companies returning season after season. Rich King Casting is particularly associated with television work, having provided background talent for numerous long-running network series where consistent, quality background casting is essential to maintaining the show's visual authenticity. The company's television focus has made it a preferred background casting provider for shows that require a stable roster of recurring background actors who become familiar faces in the world of the series. This specialization gives Rich King Casting a distinct identity within the broader LA background casting landscape.
Rich King Casting fills an important role in the Los Angeles background casting ecosystem by serving as a reliable alternative and supplement to Central Casting, particularly for television productions that prefer working with a dedicated background casting partner. The company's strength lies in its ability to build and maintain a curated roster of professional background actors who understand the demands of television production, where consistency and reliability matter more than in one-off film shoots. Productions that work with Rich King Casting value the company's ability to provide talent that meets specific look requirements, follows set protocols, and returns for multiple episodes without issues. For actors, this means that developing a positive working relationship with Rich King Casting can lead to recurring bookings on popular shows, which provides both financial stability and valuable on-set experience. The company has adapted well to the evolution of the television industry, working with both traditional network productions and the newer streaming platforms that produce content in Los Angeles.
How It Works
Actors register with Rich King Casting by submitting their information and current photos through the company's website, providing the standard details including physical measurements, clothing sizes, hair and eye color, vehicle information, and any special skills or attributes. The company posts specific casting needs through email notifications and social media channels, and registered actors who match the stated requirements are encouraged to submit promptly. Rich King Casting also proactively contacts actors from its database when their profiles match a production's specific background needs, so maintaining current and accurate registration information is essential. The registration process is straightforward and designed to capture the information that production teams need to make background casting decisions. Actors at all experience levels are welcome to register, though the company particularly values those who demonstrate reliability and professionalism from their first booking.
The day-to-day workflow of background work booked through Rich King Casting follows standard industry protocols, with actors receiving detailed booking information including call times, set locations, wardrobe requirements, and any special instructions for the production day. The company excels in the television space, where the background work rhythm often involves actors reporting to familiar standing sets and working with crew members they have met before, creating a more comfortable and predictable work environment compared to the one-off nature of many film background bookings. Rich King Casting handles both SAG-AFTRA and non-union background positions, and the company works across the full range of production types active in the Los Angeles market. On-set coordination is typically smooth, as the company's long relationships with specific productions mean that the background management team knows what to expect from Rich King Casting talent. Standard work days run 8 to 12 hours with applicable overtime, meal periods, and all standard industry protocols.
Who Uses It
Rich King Casting's talent roster includes both SAG-AFTRA union members and non-union background performers, with a particular emphasis on actors who are serious about background work as a professional pursuit. The company's television-heavy booking profile attracts actors who appreciate the potential for recurring work on ongoing series, as well as those who enjoy the rhythm of television production, which tends to be more structured and predictable than film work. Actors with clean, versatile looks that fit naturally into common television settings — offices, restaurants, hospitals, police stations, courtrooms — may find particular success with Rich King Casting's booking profile. The company also values actors who maintain professional wardrobes suitable for various settings, as television productions frequently need background who can arrive dressed appropriately for specific scenes without relying entirely on the costume department. Veteran background actors who have built positive reputations across multiple productions often become go-to talent in Rich King Casting's regular rotation.
Pricing & Plans
Rich King Casting is completely free for actors — there are no registration fees, submission charges, membership costs, or any other expenses levied on performers. The company earns its revenue from production companies, not from talent. Background actors are paid by the production at standard industry rates: SAG-AFTRA background performers earn approximately $208 minimum per 8-hour day, and non-union background actors typically earn between $120 and $182 per day as of 2025 in the Los Angeles market. Standard bumps apply for wardrobe provided by the actor, vehicle use, special conditions, and overtime. For television work, where recurring background actors may work many days over a production season, the cumulative earnings can be significant, particularly for SAG-AFTRA members who also accumulate pension credits and health insurance qualification hours from their work.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Rich King Casting's television specialization provides access to a category of background work that offers more consistency and potential for recurring bookings than many other types of background casting. The company's established relationships with specific production teams mean that reliable actors can develop real working rapport with show coordinators and assistant directors, leading to preferential rebooking. Registration is entirely free with no hidden costs or charges of any kind. The company's professional reputation ensures that actors are being sent to well-organized productions that adhere to industry standards for treatment, safety, and compensation. For background actors looking to build toward SAG-AFTRA eligibility, the television-focused booking profile provides a particularly good pathway, as union television productions frequently offer SAG vouchers to qualified non-union performers.
What Could Be Better
Rich King Casting's volume of available bookings is smaller than Central Casting's, and actors should not rely on it as a sole source of background work income. The company's television focus means that during pilot season and summer hiatus periods, available bookings can decrease significantly as many series pause production. New registrants may need patience and persistence before breaking into the company's preferred talent rotation, as productions often request familiar faces from previous episodes rather than new actors. The booking process can be less predictable than Central Casting's more systematized approach, and communication sometimes relies on traditional phone and email rather than app-based notifications. The Los Angeles geographic limitation means this registration has no value for actors outside the greater LA production area.
Our Recommendation
Rich King Casting is a recommended supplementary registration for Los Angeles-based background actors, particularly those interested in television work and the potential for recurring bookings on ongoing series. The company should complement, not replace, your Central Casting registration — think of it as adding another productive channel to your booking pipeline. It is particularly well-suited for actors who bring reliability, professionalism, and a clean, versatile appearance that fits naturally into television settings. If you are new to background work, establish yourself with Central Casting first, then add Rich King Casting and other supplementary companies to expand your opportunities. If television background work specifically appeals to you and you value the consistency of working on the same productions over time, Rich King Casting is one of the strongest registrations you can add to your portfolio.
Pro Tips
If you get booked on a television series through Rich King Casting, make an exceptional first impression because the assistant directors and background coordinators on that show will determine whether you are invited back for future episodes. Maintain a television-appropriate wardrobe ready to go at all times — clean, modern business casual and formal options are the most commonly requested. When working recurring television background, note the continuity details of your character's wardrobe and appearance so you can replicate them if called back, as background continuity is taken seriously on episodic television. Let Rich King Casting know about any changes to your appearance immediately, as being sent to a production looking different than your registration photos creates problems for everyone. Develop a reputation for being the easiest, most professional person on set — arrive early, listen carefully to instructions, stay off your phone during scenes, and never approach the principal cast or try to make yourself conspicuous on camera, as these behaviors get background actors removed from set and blacklisted from future bookings.