The Talent Managers Association’s Heller Awards came roaring back Nov. 14, following a brief hiatus due to last year’s historic double strikes.
Hosted by Jeremy Holm (“House of Cards,” “Mr. Robot”), with Victoria Mojica Monroe, Lori Kay, and Tammy Wallace producing and Ryan Guess directing, the ceremony celebrated excellence in talent representation and casting. This year’s theme, “Resurgence,” served as a powerful reminder of the industry’s resilience.
The 2024 Lifetime Achievement recipients were the late Ken Kragen, whose legendary management career was matched only by his humanitarian work, and casting powerhouse Meg Liberman, whose fingerprints are on everything from “Band of Brothers” to “Seinfeld.” Fresh from its herculean efforts during the labor movement, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation took home the Impact Award.
And now, what you’ve been waiting for—here’s the full list of this year’s honorees and winners.
Lifetime Achievement — Casting
Meg Liberman | “Band of Brothers,” “Fame,” “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “Seinfeld”
Lifetime Achievement — Management
Ken Kragen | Kragen & Company
Impact Award
SAG-AFTRA Foundation
Video Game Casting Director of the Year
Emily Schweber | Emily Schweber Casting
Northeast Commercial or Voiceover Casting Director of the Year
Rachel Reiss | Liz Lewis Casting Partners
Animation Voiceover Casting Director of the Year
Julie Ashton | Julie Ashton Casting
Commercial Casting Director of the Year
Michael Sanford | Sanford Casting
Northeast Voiceover Agent of the Year
Allie Silber | DDO Artists Agency
Voiceover Agent of the Year
Melissa Berger-Brennan | CESD Talent Agency
Southeast Commercial Agent of the Year
Jayme Pervis | J Pervis Talent Agency
Northeast Commercial Agent of the Year
Gina Manfredi | DDO Artists Agency
Youth Commercial Agent of the Year
Dawn Osbrink | The Osbrink Agency
Adult Commercial Agent of the Year
Hugh Leon | Coast to Coast Talent Group
Northeast Casting Associate of the Year
Joanna Levinger | Meredith Tucker Casting
Casting Associate of the Year
Steven Tylor O'Connor | Aufiero / Horn Casting
Youth Episodic Casting Director of the Year
Alexis Frank Koczara & Christine Smith Shevchenko | Koczara / Shevchenko
Northeast Youth Theatrical Agent of the Year
Mallory Levy | DDO Artists Agency
Youth Theatrical Agent of the Year
Philip Marcus | Clear Talent Group
Northeast Theater Casting Director of the Year
Tara Rubin | Tara Rubin Casting
Southeast Casting Director of the Year
Lisa Mae Fincannon | Fincannon & Associates
Northeast Episodic Casting Director of the Year
Jonathan Strauss | Jonathan Strauss Casting
Episodic Casting Director of the Year
Kim Coleman | Kim Coleman Casting
Northeast Feature Casting Director of the Year
Avy Kaufman | Avy Kaufman Casting
Feature Casting Director of the Year
Leah Daniels-Butler | LDB Casting
Southeast Theatrical Agent of the Year
Joy Pervis | J Pervis Talent Agency
Northeast Adult Theatrical Agent of the Year
Jay Schachter | Stewart Talent
Adult Theatrical Agent of the Year
Garry Purdy | Momentum Talent and Literary Agency
TMA Talent Manager of the Year
Lori Kay | Prevail Artist Entertainment