‘Out of My Mind,’ ‘Ezra’ Among Productions Honored for Commitment to Authentic Representation

December 5, 2024

Ruderman Family Foundation’s Seal of Authentic Representation honors “Out of My Mind” and “Ezra,” both films cast by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee, for commitment to inclusiveness. 

 Awardees also include Netflix’s KAOS, Heartbreak High, and Fool Me Once 

Boston, MA, December, 5, 2024 – The Disney+ coming-of-age drama “Out of My Mind” and Tony Goldwyn’s comedy-drama “Ezra” are two of the latest standout productions honored with the Ruderman Family Foundation’s Seal of Authentic Representation for their groundbreaking commitment to disability inclusion in Hollywood. 

“Out of My Mind” stars Phoebe-Rae Taylor, authentically cast as Melody, a non-verbal wheelchair user with cerebral palsy. Jennifer Aniston, meanwhile, plays the part of Melody’s inner voice. The film is directed by Amber Sealey and was cast by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee, who were also the casting directors for another honoree in this latest round of the Foundation’s Seal of Authentic Representation, “Ezra.” The latter production was recognized for casting actor with autism William A. Fitzgerald as a title character with the same condition, in star-studded cast including the likes of Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne and Robert De Niro. 

The Ruderman Family Foundation’s Seal of Authentic Representation honors the casting decisions of films and television series which demonstrate a commitment toward inclusiveness in popular culture. The Foundation awards the Seal when productions meet two criteria: they feature actors with disabilities in a notable role; and they are in, or on the verge of, general release.  

As the casting directors of two films receiving the Seal of Authentic Representation, Barden and Schnee reflected on how authentic representation and inclusive casting have a transformative impact in the entertainment industry by redefining character portrayal. 

“Casting ‘Out of My Mind’ and ‘Ezra’ were both incredibly fulfilling experiences for us,” Barden and Schnee said in a joint statement. “It was rewarding and fascinating to delve into the worlds of cerebral palsy and autism and discover the wonderful talent in these communities, and in the world of actors with disabilities in general. We think that both of these phenomenal young actors have great careers ahead of them and that these films are just the beginning for them. It’s richly satisfying to be part of the movement for inclusivity in our field, and to play even a small role in helping actors get a shot at truly representing their unique selves on screen and enlightening and educating the rest of us along the way.”  

The current group of honorees includes: 

• Out of My Mind, released in January 2024, which cast actor with cerebral palsy Phoebe-Rae Taylor as Melody, a non-verbal wheelchair user with the same condition. 

• Bleecker Street’s dramedy Ezra, released in May 2024, which cast actor with autism William A. Fitzgerald as the title character. 

• Netflix’s KAOS, a British mythological dark comedy television series, released in August 2024, for casting several characters authentically, including Mat Fraser as Daedalus, who has phocomelia, a congenital condition triggered in tens of thousands of children after their mothers were prescribed the drug thalidomide for morning sickness. 

• The Netflix Australian dramedy series Heartbreak High, whose first season began in September 2022, for casting Chloe Hayden as Quinni Gallagher-Jones, who has autism. 

• The Netflix British thriller television series, Fool Me Once, released in January 2024, for casting multiple characters with disabilities who made appearances throughout the series. Some actors with disabilities featured in the series include Rachel Denning, an actor with dwarfism, and Natalie Amber, who has a nasogastric tube. 

“The Ruderman Family Foundation proudly acknowledges Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee for their groundbreaking contributions to Hollywood’s ongoing evolution toward authentic disability representation — a critical shift that reflects the entertainment industry’s growing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “In fact, all five new recipients of the Seal of Authentic Representation have enabled viewers to discover a crucial narrative of empowerment.” 

Chloe Hayden, who plays Quinni Gallagher-Jones on “Heartbreak High,” said, “Representation is so deeply important. Growing up never seeing myself in any form of media led me to believe that I wasn’t supposed to be here, it led my peers to still believe in stereotyped, incorrect understandings of what autism is and isn’t. Correct representation isn’t just important to the individual, it’s a vital shift in our societal understanding of minority groups, where media often is people’s way of judging and understanding them.” 

 Hayden added, “I know for a fact if I had Quinni growing up, my journey with autism would have been so vastly different; it would have reshaped my whole view on myself and my mind. My greatest hope is that because of Quinni, and because of other future disabled characters in the media that will follow her, young people will not have to experience what I did, that they will know from the very beginning, that who they are, is exactly who they are supposed to be. I’m incredibly honored that Heartbreak High and the character of Quinni have received the Seal of Authentic Representation. Quinni is a character beloved by so many fans globally; it is wonderful that her impact and legacy continue to resonate around the world.” 

“It’s a great honor to be acknowledged for our work with this fantastic award,” Kelly Valentine Hendry, casting director for “Fool Me Once,” said in a statement. “It was always part of our thinking to have our cast be representative and inclusive of all society when working on the series and we’re happy this is increasingly becoming the industry norm.” 

Orla Maxwell, also a casting director for “Fool Me Once,” added, “On behalf of the producing team and my casting team on Fool Me Once I am honored and delighted to be awarded the Seal of Authentic Representation from the Ruderman Family Foundation,” Orla Maxwell, casting director for “Fool Me Once,” added in a statement. “We wanted to cast actors with disabilities in various roles.  Not highlighting their disability but casting them as actors in roles that weren’t specifically written as disabled and so seeing these characters as ordinary workers in day-to-day jobs and as a blended part of our fictional community. Hopefully shining a light on casting actors with disabilities in this way will become more the norm and less exceptional.” 

Mat Fraser, who plays Daedalus on “KAOS,” said, “Being cast as Daedalus in “KAOS” was a wonderful opportunity to show that I, a disabled actor, can convincingly play a famous character from history, and legend, just as well as any actor. That Netflix were happy to have me portray Daedalus is testament to the changes that are finally happening in the TV industry’s casting decisions. I’m flattered and honored to receive this Seal of authentic representation award, and wish you all to know that I am available for work.” 

About the Ruderman Family Foundation 

The Ruderman Family Foundation is an internationally recognized organization that advocates for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in our society. The Foundation supports effective programs, innovative partnerships and a dynamic approach to philanthropy in advocating for and advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities throughout the United States and the world. 

The Ruderman Family Foundation believes that inclusion and understanding of all people is essential to a fair and flourishing community and imposes these values within its leadership and funding. 

For more information, please visit www.rudermanfoundation.org