Talent agents ease the path to stardom by helping their clients get access to roles and tenaciously negotiating contracts. Even better, the top Hollywood agents help transform their clients into A-list celebrities by providing the guidance and support necessary to success. Here are seven of the best agents in Hollywood, plus insight from the experts about what to look for in an agent.
JUMP TO
“Tropic Thunder” Courtesy Dreamworks Pictures/Paramount Pictures
Since the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) acquired International Creative Management (ICM), the big four talent agencies—CAA, ICM, William Morris Endeavor (WME), and United Talent Agency (UTA)—have become the big three. The following list includes top agents from each branch of the trifecta, as well as an entertainment agent from a boutique agency striving for more diverse representation in Hollywood.
Tracy Christian
The first Black woman to found/own a Hollywood talent agency (TCA MGMT), Christian champions the careers of a diverse array of clients, including Mona Scott-Young, Amiyah Scott, Jason Mitchell, Tisha Campbell, and others.
Ari Emanuel
The “Entourage” character based on Emanuel may have made him a household name, but Emanuel was making major moves long before serving as the inspiration for the delightfully aggro Ari Gold. The co-CEO of WME famously bought IMG in 2014, cementing his role as one of the biggest and baddest agents in Hollywood. With a formidable client list including Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Oprah Winfrey, Martin Scorsese, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson—not to mention a no-holds-barred negotiating style—Emanuel is a force to be reckoned with.
RELATED: How to Get an Acting Agent
Tracey Jacobs
Back in 2001, the co-head of UTA said that her “objective is building a career. If you do that, the money will follow.” And her client list certainly seems to prove the legitimacy of her philosophy: Known as the agent who turned Johnny Depp into a star (before his infamous 2016 firing spree), Jacobs has also represented Harrison Ford, Jennifer Lopez, Megan Mullally, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Bryan Lourd
As if being partner at CAA wasn’t enough, Lourd also served as a mediator between the Writers Guild of America and movie execs during the 2007–2008 writers’ strike, serves on the board of trustees and directors of multiple arts organizations, and is the father of iconic actor Billie Lourd. His client list has included George Clooney, Robert De Niro, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jennifer Lawrence, and Madonna.
Richard Lovett
The president of CAA is renowned for leading many A-list celebs to fame and fortune. His tactics may be what the Wall Street Journal called “elegantly aggressive,” but don’t mistake his veneer of gentility for a lack of assertiveness: Lovett helped make CAA the entertainment conglomerate it is today, with a robust client list that includes Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Aaron Sorkin, and Sacha Baron Cohen.
What to Do Before Before Signing With a Talent Agent Kevin Huvane
Yes, another CAA agent, but it’s because the partner’s ever-evolving list of clients include some of Hollywood’s biggest names, such as Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Tom Ford, and Sarah Jessica Parker. In 2018, Huvane was honored by the Casting Society of America for his contributions to entertainment.
Hylda Queally
Queally lives up to her name as one of the most powerful women in Hollywood. Her client list as a CAA agent has included Jessica Chastain, Daisy Ridley, Kate Winslet, Lupita Nyong’o, Michelle Williams, and Cate Blanchett—the last of whom presented her with the coveted Sue Mengers Award for excellence in female artist representation.
Ann Thomas
Seeing a need for better representation of trans actors, Thomas founded the Transgender Talent management company in the mid-2010s. Thomas’ goal in creating the agency “is to give the world a realistic view of transgender and non-binary people: normal people living normal lives.” Clients include Emmett Preciado, Shannon Gibbs, and Zoey Luna.
Of course, while it’s the dream of many aspiring actors to land one of the best agents in Hollywood, it’s not the only way to see your name in lights. Agents who are less well-known—or are just starting out—can still prove to be excellent advocates. Working with a top agent certainly helps, but innate talent, a willingness to grind, social capital, and simple luck are the true keys to Hollywood success.
“Jerry Maguire” Courtesy Sony Pictures Releasings
According to a spokesperson from SAG-AFTRA and a casting director in the know, you can differentiate a good agent by finding one who:
Helps you access jobs
“A good agent should be all about you and getting you access to employment opportunities,” advises the SAG-AFTRA spokesperson. “That seems obvious, but we’ve found that not all agents approach their work that way.” Casting director Caroline Liem, who helps actors revamp their résumés and develop a personalized roadmap to success, agrees. “Short answer: It’s a two-way partnership: the agent/actor and agent/casting director,” she explains. “They know their client and know how to pitch them both personally and professionally. They help the casting process by pitching me a thoughtful and different way of considering their client for a role that actually adds value, and they have the needed materials available to support their pitch. For the actor, I would think they’d want someone who gets who they are as an artist and business and can open the doors, creating opportunities for them to share their craft/performance that they are ready to give. The agent is the bridge that connects the trained artist with opportunity. What the actor does in the room, meeting, or self-tape is their part of their job.”
Doesn’t ask for money up front
“A good agent only gets paid when a performer works, and never before,” the SAG-AFTRA spokesperson says. “They do not charge any upfront fees or require that you attend a specific school or use a specific service as a condition of representation.”
Has no conflicts of interest
“A good agent does not benefit, financially or otherwise, from third-party relationships that conflict with your interests,” they continue.
Focuses on your individual needs
“A good agent should always listen and adapt to their client’s needs,” the spokesperson adds.
Is SAG-AFTRA-franchised
“SAG-AFTRA members are required to hire agents that are franchised under either the SAG or AFTRA agency regulations,” the SAG-AFTRA insider notes. “These regulations strengthen the integrity and professionalism of the industry as a whole and ensure agents and talent are protected and working in a productive and safe environment. They include sensible commission rates and reasonable means of ending a relationship that is not productive. SAG-AFTRA agents are also subjected to a rigorous screening process prior to affiliation. We want to make certain the franchised ones are the good ones!” You can find the full list of SAG-AFTRA franchised agents on their Professional Representatives site. From there, choose the Los Angeles local to see franchised agents in Hollywood.
How to Join SAG-AFTRA 
Pressmaster/Shutterstock
Following these steps can help you find the best agent to jumpstart your career.
1. Research
“We encourage all our current (and future) members to check out SAG-AFTRA’s Professional Representatives page,” the SAG-AFTRA spokesperson says. “You will find a wealth of information about a wide range of agency topics, including advice and guidance to people just entering the business and sample contracts.” You should also “check out SAG-AFTRA’s social media platforms, especially our YouTube channel,” they add. “You will find helpful insight about the industry, details about the contracts under which our performers work, and seminars with entertainment industry professionals offering invaluable wisdom and practical advice. Also, SAG-AFTRA members should sign up for all the wonderful (and free) programming offered by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.”
2. Find an agent you vibe with
“When we’re talking about ‘best,’ it’s the best fit for the individual,” Liem says. “There’s a vibe, a connection, in addition to just getting you work opportunities to consider.”
3. Introduce yourself
“Introductions are always helpful,” Liem adds. “Or approaching with some knowledge of them, their company, and how you would fit their client roster along with how who you are, your values, and training all align. These types of correspondences can go a long way. In any relationship, it’s coming from the ‘give,’ honoring the person you’re connecting with in a respectful way—and this will start your journey to finding the best agent for you.”
4. Know where you want to go
“There’s a bond to be formed in any relationship, and [you] want a team that gets you and where you’re headed,” Liem concludes. “Know that this journey will never be perfect, and neither will your team until you’re clear on who you are and how you wish to be seen and cast.”
