Last updated on: August 30, 2025
Mary Jo Slater is a renowned casting director and Hollywood producer. She is also well known as the mother of Hollywood actor Christian Slater. She has left her mark in the entertainment sector with her productions for film, television, and theatre over the course of several years.
Quick Facts About Mary Jo Slater
| Full Name | Mary Jo Slater (née Lawton) |
| Birthdate | April 19, 1946 |
| Occupation | Casting Director and Producer |
| Husband/Wife | Michael Hawkins (divorced), Jeffrey Wilson (divorced), William Henry Taron (m. 1990) |
| Height | 1.6 m |
| Age | 79 years and 7 months old |
| Parents | Anna Mae (Sweeny) and Leonard Joseph Lawton |
| Siblings | Jaden Christopher Haddon-Slater, Eliana Sophia Haddon-Slater, Lena Slater |
| Children | Christian Slater, Ryan Slater |
| Net Worth | Estimated around $5 million |
Early Life and Family
Mary Jo Slater was born Mary Jo Lawton on April 19, 1946, in Trenton, New Jersey. Her parents were Anna Mae (née Sweeny) and Leonard Joseph Lawton. Mary Jo enjoyed the arts from a young age. She was interested in acting, theater, and film. This interest would later direct her career.
Career Beginnings
Mary Jo began her career as a production assistant for the television show Mark Twain Tonight!. She got her first casting assignment in 1977. She worked on the Broadway revival of Hair. She then transitioned to film and television. She has had more than 100 credits in her career.
Some of her titles are:
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
The Contender
The Tudors (TV series)
Mary Jo has also been nominated six times for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series. She was nominated for three of these based on The Tudors. Her talent at discovering the right actors to use has earned her a very high level of respect in Hollywood.
Personal Life
Mary Jo was married thrice. Her first husband was Michael Hawkins, whose other name was Thomas Knight Slater. She had a son named Christian Slater who later became a well-known actor.
Her second union was with constructor Jeffrey Wilson. She has a son named Ryan Slater, who is also an actor. Mary Jo married William Henry Taron in 1990 and remains with him to date. Interestingly enough, she shares the same birthday with her youngest son, Ryan.
Mary Jo has also had to face some challenging family issues. She openly discussed problems with her former husband, Michael Hawkins, and defended her family against legal allegations.
Children and Family Life
Mary Jo Slater’s kids followed her into the industry.
Christian Slater has starred in some of the most popular films and television programs. He was married to Ryan Haddon between 2000 and 2006. He went on to marry Brittany Lopez in 2013. Christian has three children: Jaden Christopher Haddon-Slater, Eliana Sophia Haddon-Slater, and Lena Slater, who was born in 2019.
Ryan Slater is an actor as well. He has acted in television and film, following in the family line.
Both Mary Jo’s sons have followed careers in the entertainment sector due to her advice. She also played an important role in guiding Christian early on and standing by him during his rise to international fame.
READ ALSO: Christian Slater Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
Legacy and Impact
Mary Jo Slater’s impact extends to her family. She has assisted numerous actors in achieving stardom in Hollywood. Her performances in Broadway, film, and television demonstrate her skills and hard work.
She is regarded as professional, compassionate, and detail-oriented. Numerous actors and her peers admire her for being honest and good at identifying talent. Her Emmy nominations are evidence of her casting brilliance.
