On HBO’s “Entourage,” Jeremy Piven’s Ari Gold—modeled on real-life superagent Ari Emanuel—could close a deal between insults. Real-world representation involves far less yelling, but for actors, perhaps no relationship is more crucial. Your agent represents you to the industry at large, whether that’s Hollywood, Broadway, or anything in between, and a good one can be the difference between moderate success and true celebrity. This guide walks you through how to get an acting agent, from building your materials and researching agencies to acing the meeting and keeping your rep happy once you’ve signed.
JUMP TO
- How to get an acting agent in six steps
- What does an agent do for an actor?
- Do you need an agent to be an actor?
- How to find and submit to talent agencies
- What to expect when meeting with a talent agent
- Red flags to watch for
- How to maintain a good relationship with your agent
- What happens if you get dropped?
Here’s what you need to do to land representation:
- Commit to acting. Even if you still have a day job, you need to make time to audition regularly and hone your craft. Agents generally aren’t interested in potential clients who aren’t fully committed.
- Prepare your materials. You’ll need headshots and a résumé at the bare minimum, but a demo reel and an active social media presence can be a big help as well.
- Research talent agencies. Start with SAG-AFTRA’s list of union-franchised agencies, then dig deeper to find the ones suited to you. This step is especially important: If you submit to agencies that don’t fit your talents, you’ll be wasting their time—and your own.
- Submit your materials. Once you’ve narrowed your list to agencies that might be good fits, start submitting. Include a personalized cover letter along with your acting résumé, headshot, and demo reel (if you have one), and follow each agency’s submission guidelines exactly.
- Interview and audition for agents. Landing a meeting takes time and effort, and any agent interested in representing you will likely want to meet in person or over video. Be prepared not only to ask questions about the agent, but also to do a cold read at the meeting.
- Build a strong relationship with your agent. The actor-agent relationship is a two-way street. Answer calls and emails promptly, communicate about scheduling conflicts or challenges, and keep your rep updated on your goals and the auditions you’ve attended.
A talent agent finds jobs for the actors (or authors, athletes, musicians, models, etc.) they represent. More specifically, acting agents submit clients for auditions, pitch them for roles, follow up on submissions, and negotiate (and renegotiate) pay and contracts. How they go about these tasks varies, however. Some are decidedly hands-on; others are more remote. Some are highly selective, representing only a few clients; others maintain a much deeper roster.
A good agent is personally and sincerely invested in your career, pitching you for the roles you’re right for, generating auditions, and advocating on your behalf. Incredible representation “is the kind that pitches you via telephone for every role you’re right for,” explains acting coach Joseph Pearlman. “It’s the kind that generates five to six major auditions per week during peak months.”
Finally, keep in mind that agents are employed by their agencies. You’re an agent’s client rather than their boss—a subtle distinction, but one worth noting.
Talent agent vs. manager
Agents book you for roles and auditions, while managers help shape your brand and advance your career. Agents work for state-licensed talent agencies, which gives them the legal right to solicit employment for clients and negotiate contracts. Managers generally aren’t licensed; they provide career guidance and help you establish a brand rather than set up auditions or negotiate deals.
The other crucial difference is—you guessed it—money. “Agents are not allowed to take more than 10% of their client’s earnings according to union guidelines, but managers don’t suffer from the same restriction,” says talent agent and anonymous columnist Secret Agent Man. “Many accept 10%, but quite a few ask for 15%, and others work on a sliding scale. That means they take 15% of your earnings up to $50,000 during a one-year period, but the commission drops to 10% if you make more than that.” He adds that most managers commission all of your entertainment earnings, including theatrical, commercial, and voiceover work.
That said, the line isn’t always black and white. As casting has moved online, the distinction between agents and managers has blurred. “There are quite a few managers who have access to the casting breakdown service used by talent agents and, once given agency permission, can then submit actors for auditions,” acting teacher Mae Ross notes.
Early in your career, focus on gaining experience and building your résumé rather than chasing an agent—but you’ll eventually need one to book higher-profile jobs.
Exactly when to start looking depends on where you’re located and how much experience you have. “When you’re just starting out, you don’t really need an agent,” says Secret Agent Man. “A personal manager can step in and guide you to the point where you’re ready to start working. That means getting you in the right classes, making sure your pictures are great, and teaching you the ins and outs of the business.”
It also depends on the type of work you want. Most professional projects with major studios, networks, and streamers require an agent to submit on your behalf. Representation also gives you a boost in major markets like L.A. and New York, where competition is fierce. In smaller regional markets, self-submitting is often the norm. (In very small regions, agents may not even exist!)
So, how do you know you’re ready? If you can answer yes to most of these questions, it’s probably time to start searching for representation:
- Have you trained with qualified teachers? Is a potential agent likely to recognize their names?
- Are you ready to commit to acting? Can you focus on going out for auditions?
- Do you already have headshots, a social media presence, an acting website, or a demo reel?
- Are you in the acting union? If you have your SAG-AFTRA card, your agent can submit you for far more roles.
- Do you have any industry connections? Do you know anyone established who is willing to vouch for you?
For most people, completing this checklist takes a year of prep work (at minimum). In the meantime, actor Amy Russ recommends interning at an agent’s or casting director’s office—and getting out there and auditioning on your own!
1. Build your list.
Finding an agency starts with figuring out exactly which roles you want. Agents have different specialties and connections, and one who focuses on voiceover talent isn’t going to represent you if you’re trying to make it on Broadway, for instance.
Next, do your research. Talk to your actor friends and teachers, read industry articles, use IMDbPro, and look up local SAG-AFTRA-franchised agents. Make sure you’re submitting to agencies that represent your type, and get to know the major players in your market, whether that’s Los Angeles or NYC. Hyperion Talent Agency is a Beverly Hills fixture, for example, while Avalon Artists Group, Buchwald, CESD Talent Agency, Gersh, Innovative Artists, and Paradigm all have offices on both coasts.
Finally, narrow your list. Comb through agency websites to figure out which specific agent you’d like to meet based on their department or existing clients. Once you have names, it’s back to Google: See whether they’re active on Instagram, LinkedIn, or X, and look for interviews or profiles that reveal how they work and who they like to represent.
2. Harness the power of social media.
Submissions, referrals, and showcases still matter, but these days, your feed can double as a calling card. Reps scout TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for performers with a distinct voice and an engaged audience, and some creators have parlayed viral clips into major careers. Quinta Brunson’s short Instagram videos led to a job at BuzzFeed and, eventually, to creating and starring in ABC’s “Abbott Elementary.” Benito Skinner built a following with his comedy videos and celebrity impressions as Benny Drama before creating and starring in Prime Video’s “Overcompensating.” And comedian Brittany Tomlinson, known as Brittany Broski, became the first person United Talent Agency signed based specifically on her TikToks. “I really like how [TikTok] has leveled the playing field so that anyone can start and create this whole brand for themselves,” UTA agent Pranav Mandavia says.
Followers aren’t a substitute for skill, however. “The number of followers you have can and will get you in the room, but you still need talent to book the job,” Secret Agent Man points out. (He also shares tips on how to get signed through social media platforms like TikTok.) To make your accounts work for you:
- Engage thoughtfully. Following and commenting on agents’ posts is fine, but think twice before sliding into their DMs. “In general, I’d recommend you avoid messaging them on social media,” advises actor and casting director Charis Joy Jackson.
- Fill out your Backstage profile. Agents use our tools to scout performers, so a complete profile with headshots, credits, skills, union status, and media samples makes you easier to find. Here’s more on how Backstage can help you get an acting agent.
- Keep it professional. Agents will look you up, so make sure your handles, bios, and pinned posts match your headshot and résumé—and include a link to your reel or website.
- Show your range. Post short scenes, monologues, sketches, or character work that make your type and strengths clear within seconds.
3. Put together your submission.
To submit to most talent agencies, you’ll need headshots (a maximum of three!), an acting résumé, and a cover letter. The format depends on each agency’s submission policy: Most now prefer email or online portals, though a few still accept hard copies by mail. Either way, the key is to follow instructions!
Keep your cover letter short and to the point. “Don’t go into exquisite detail about your childhood on the farm in Iowa, your favorite show tunes, and how many character roles you played in junior high,” advises marketing coach Gwyn Gilliss. “Instead, talk about your type and brand (girl next door, quirky neighbor, suburban mom, beer-drinking dude, Home Depot husband, spy, Ivy League college guy). This will tell the agent that you are savvy and know how you will be cast.” Other things to include, if possible: major roles, established actors you’ve worked alongside, and links to your website or reel.
If you’re writing an email, be clear about why you’re contacting them in your subject line: “Actor seeking representation” works in most cases, “Just got great reviews!” is better, and “Referred to you by [casting director’s name]” is best—as long as the referral is real.
4. Boost your odds.
Beyond the submission itself, a few things can improve your chances of landing that coveted agent meeting.
- Invitations: Sending a potential agent a comp ticket to your next screening or performance lets them see you do what you do best. Another option is to enroll in a reputable, audition-only agent/manager showcase or workshop.
- Professionalism: Treat every interaction with a potential agent as a business meeting. Everything from your outfit and cover letter to your headshots, résumé, website, and social media should show that you’re an industry pro.
- Referrals: A personal recommendation from a teacher, casting director, or fellow actor whom the agent knows and trusts can be tremendously powerful.
Any meeting with an agent is a job interview, regardless of how you landed it, so come prepared. Expect to talk about your training and work as an actor, especially the credits on your résumé. Know where you want your career to go, and be ready to discuss those goals confidently. Bring recent headshots, an updated résumé, reviews or press, and links to your reel and any other materials you’ve used to build relationships with casting directors, producers, and others in the industry.
To put it bluntly, you’re trying to prove you’re worth an agent’s time. “They have to believe that with minimal development you will make them money,” note acting coaches Risa Bramon Garcia and Steve Braun. “You do that in a few ways. Either you’re charming and have the perfect look, you’ve worked consistently and/or recently, or you’re talented and will absolutely kill in the room. Most of that you can’t do much about—you look how you look and you can’t create a solid reel and résumé out of nothing. But the two things you can control are your talent and hard work.”
It’s also crucial that you don’t fabricate or embellish your career. “I need to know all the facts so I can address them down the road if we end up working together,” Secret Agent Man says. “I’ve had actors lie about their credits, training, fluency in a language, and a million other things. Trust me. None of those lies serve you. They just get in the way. And eventually, they will be discovered.”
The meeting may be an audition of sorts, but don’t lose sight of the fact that you need to be comfortable working with this person, too. Acting coach Denise Simon suggests four essential questions all talent should ask a potential agent:
- What type do you see me as?
- How many clients do you have and how many are my type?
- How do you feel about me submitting myself for projects?
- Do you recommend photographers, acting, voice, or dance teachers?
“Gaining a good understanding of how an agent or manager can represent you will help you choose the very best rep to be a part of your winning team,” Simon explains.
13 Ways to Find an Agent, According to Backstage Experts Not all agents are created equal—and some may even try to take advantage of actors just starting out. Watch for these warning signs:
- Excessive commission: SAG-AFTRA-franchised agents can’t take more than 10% of your union earnings.
- Flashy ads: Reputable agents don’t need splashy advertising or promises of overnight stardom to find clients.
- Side hustles: Be wary of agents who also coach or sell classes; a busy, successful agent shouldn’t need a side job.
- Strange contracts: Always check with your union or a lawyer before signing anything.
- Upfront fees: Legitimate agents earn a commission on work they book for you, so they shouldn’t charge you to sign.
Even an agent who isn’t outright scamming you may not present you in the best light. Casting director and acting coach Marci Liroff often receives half-baked submissions from agents. “Many times agents use photos that are 10 years old and black-and-white (which we don’t use anymore), or résumés that aren’t updated,” she says. “Or they’ll call or email with a client suggestion and not include a link to their demo along with a photo and résumé. Lazy? Careless? Overworked? I’m not sure—but it’s not effective in the least. You’ve got to ‘police’ your agent (and his or her assistant) to make sure your most up-to-date information is being sent.”
4 Top Mistakes Actors Make in Agent Cover Letters At long last, you’ve found an acting agent who’s compatible with your career goals and disposition. Congratulations! But don’t kick back just yet—healthy actor-agent relationships require work. Follow these four basic practices to make sure your new agent stays glad they signed you:
- Keep your phone on. Respond quickly to calls, texts, and emails.
- Respect your agent’s time. By all means, let your agent know how an audition went—just not at six in the morning! Keep correspondence to work hours, and flag dates you’re unavailable well in advance.
- Take their advice. If your agent counsels you to get new headshots, trust that they’re looking out for you and your career.
- Update your information. Your headshots, casting profiles, demo reel, website, and social media are vital tools when your agent pitches you. If you’ve made any major changes to your appearance, let your agent know before breakdowns come in.
Getting dropped by an agent isn’t uncommon if you’re not booking regularly. “A top agent who signs you in the early days of your career can also drop you!” Gilliss warns. She describes a familiar arc: A young actor lands a small part in a major film, signs with a celebrity agency such as WME or Creative Artists Agency, and rides high—until the film is forgotten, no new bookings materialize, and the agency drops them six months later.
That doesn’t mean you’ll never find representation again. After getting dropped by her agent, actor Alex Spieth left New York and found supportive regional reps. “Believe me, an NYC agent isn’t the be all, end all,” she writes.
Being dropped is also a chance to step back and reassess—and potentially emerge as a better actor and client. Talent agent Chris Roth says that his agency drops clients who behave unprofessionally, such as by skipping auditions. So take any feedback to heart, and ask yourself some hard questions: Do you let your agent’s calls go to voicemail? Forget to reply to work-related emails? Turn in audition tapes late? These little mistakes can add up—but they’re very fixable.
Ready to start your agent search? Check out Backstage’s Call Sheet for all your agency listing needs!
