Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Ari Emanuel: Hollywood's Agent of Change

Rahm's brother set to become this century's first Hollywood mogul

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 15, 2009 12:43 PM CDT

(Newser) – Not only is super-agent Ari Emanuel one of the biggest players in Tinseltown, he’s changing the game, and could be the 21st century’s first Hollywood mogul, the Independent reports. The brother of President Obama’s chief of staff believes talent firms must become multi-faceted in order to survive—“essentially taking over much of the traditional role of the studio,” one writer says.

When his Endeavor merged with the high-profile William Morris, Emanuel’s dream of creating a mega-agency was launched: The new model should include marketing, events, and media divisions, and will become instrumental in launching projects rather than simply finding them. “It’s a gamble, frankly,” says a former colleague. “But if anyone can pull it off, he can.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Michael Douglas and Ari Emanuel arrive at AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Michael Douglas at Sony Pictures Studios, June 11, 2009, in Culver City, Calif. (Getty Images)

Agent Ari Emanuel, left, and director Larry Charles arrive at the premiere of "Borat," Oct. 23, 2006, in Hollywood, Calif. (Getty Images)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Ari's different. He's the first agent I can think of who's been depicted on TV. He's the industry's first real celebrity for a generation. He's flashy, and sexy and comfortable with the limelight. - A Hollywood journalist

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Ari Emanuel Is Hollywood's New Boss

Rahm's brother takes charge with agency merger

(NEWSER) - Ari Emanuel has soared to new prominence in the past few months since his talent agency, Endeavor, merged with William Morris. Now, he’s Hollywood’s “pre-eminent power player,” write Michael Cieply and Brooks Barnes in the New York Times. But what drives him? Says a producer: “It’s about respect” for Emanuel, a onetime evictee who now calls a $10 million pad home. More»

Recession Whacks Tinseltown Agents

(NEWSER) - Hollywood's toughest power brokers—the big shot "10 percenters" of the top talent agencies—are no longer immune to the recession, reports the Independent. With the merger between former rival agencies William Morris and Endeavor officially approved, 100 top agents got the ax. Officials of the new entity hope the combined strength will help it weather the economic downturn, which has led to industry-wide salary cuts. More»

Top Hollywood Talent Shops OK Merger

As star payouts dip, William Morris and Endeavor join forces

(NEWSER) - Two of Hollywood's top talent agencies agreed to merge today amid declining revenues in film and television, Variety reports. Pending government approval, the venerable William Morris Agency will share a new Beverly Hills office with 14-year-old Endeavor—and likely spark a flurry of clients and agents scurrying for new representation. More»

Spider-Man Actress Found Dead

(NEWSER) - Lucy Gordon, a British actress who played a small role in Spider-Man 3, was found dead in her Paris apartment yesterday, the Telegraph reports. The 28-year-old appears to have hanged herself. Elsewhere:

Hugh Hefner’s ex Kendra Wilkinson has no problem with his new girlfriends—in fact, they’re invited to her wedding, she tells E! “They're cool,” she says. “I like them."

Chief of Staff's Bro Is Hollywood Super Agent

Rahm Emanuel's high-flying sib just got better connected

(NEWSER) - The president-elect's new chief of staff has a pair of high-flying brothers, the Los Angeles Times reports. Rahm Emanuel's younger brother, Ari, is a founding partner of top Hollywood talent agency Endeavor while older brother, Ezekiel, is a leading bioethicist. Ari, who shares Ramm's reputation for take-no-prisoners power plays, inspired the abrasive Ari Gold character in HBO's Entourage. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Ari Emanuel: Hollywood's Agent of Change