Ari Emanuel: Hollywood's Agent of Change

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»

(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»

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»

(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."

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»