
Landing representation is possible at all stages of your career. This guide will push you in the right direction, whether you’re a beginner, a mid-career actor, or entering top-tier stardom.
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Early in your career, you’ll gain experience through background acting, local theater, commercials, student films, and shorts. Once you’re ready to land bigger roles and take your career to the next level, it’s time to look for your first talent agent.
Here are some of the best talent agencies for beginner actors.
The Osbrink Agency
If you’re seeking representation for the first time, Osbrink is a good place to start. Osbrink is a boutique agency that works in film, television, commercial, social media, voiceover, and print markets. The agency prides itself on “developing many of the most notable young faces in TV and film.” In the past, Osbrink represented Dakota and Elle Fanning before the two moved on to a bigger company. Other clients include Nicolas Cantu (“The Fabelmans”), Reid Scott (“Venom: Let There Be Carnage”), and Dallas Dupree Young (“Cobra Kai”).
To submit for representation, fill out the form on the submission page on its website. You’ll need to upload up to two photos, two voiceover MP3 files if applicable, two links to demo reels, and attach a résumé.
Cunningham-Escott-Slevin-Doherty Talent Agency (CESD)
Based in Los Angeles and New York, Cunningham-Escott-Slevin-Doherty Talent Agency (CESD) has been operating for over 50 years. The agency houses a total of 32 agents who offer guidance and first-rate service to clients. CESD offers representation for a wide range of mediums, including “on-camera and voice-over commercials, digital, print/fashion, beauty, dance, animation and gaming, hosting, puppeteers, promos/trailers/narration, and television and radio affiliate marketing.”
If you just finished school and are beginning your acting career, you’re in luck. David Ziff, talent agent at CESD, tells us, “We often take actors right out of the college showcase.” CESD’s roster includes Odessa A’zion (“Ghosts”) and Peter Gadiot (“Quantum Leap”).
To submit for representation, contact the email listed in the agency’s FAQs and updates website page. Include one to two photos, a résumé, and a link to your portfolio and/or website. Remember to indicate which office location and department you’re submitting for.
Bankston Talent Agency (BTA)
Bankston Talent Agency prides itself on being a boutique agency with a smaller roster, leaving it open to “give attention and resources to our individual actors while maintaining the artistic integrity of the company.”
Representing actors in the film, TV, and commercial space, BTA is open to working with early-career actors. “Everyone has to start somewhere,” the agency’s site says. “While we prioritize representing seasoned talent, we may consider representing those in the early stages of their career on a case by case basis.”
BTA has booked newer actors for smaller roles in films such as “Black Adam” and shows such as “Lovecraft Country.” The agency is exclusive to Texas, New Mexico, and California; representation in Los Angeles requires a referral, which can come from casting directors, managers, or acting coaches.
Submission requirements can be found here.
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If you have built up a solid résumé of gigs that can fill out an impressive demo reel, it might be time to take your career to the next level. Before branching out, make sure you solidify your goals. “The most important thing to consider is what this new agency will do for you specifically,” says Evan Rogerson, talent agent at Smith & Hervey/Grimes. “Many actors feel the need to jump to a larger firm after their first big booking or so, but sometimes, if the agency is not the right fit, they can end up lost in the shuffle of the agency’s larger roster.”
If you are determined to land consistent, high-quality roles, both smaller and larger agencies have their pros and cons.
“For someone in the early or middle stages of their career, a boutique agency may be the best fit, as the agents there can really focus on you,” Rogerson says. “Larger agencies can sometimes do things that the smaller ones can’t in terms of packaging or just the amount of connections they have, however, the most important thing is to evaluate your own personal situation. Don’t just move because you feel like you should. The grass is not always greener.”
Here are a few top talent agencies for mid-career actors.
Smith & Hervey/Grimes
Founded in 1991 by talent managers Marsha Hervey and Pam Grimes, this California-based boutique agency prides itself on housing a roster of “working actors.” Focusing on film, TV, and commercials, its current clients include Emmy winner Camryn Grimes (“The Young and the Restless”) and Miracle Laurie (“The Afterparty”). Its actors have also been featured in movies such as “Venom,” “Black Panther,” and “The Fate of the Furious,” as well as series such as “Barry,” “The Lincoln Lawyer,” and “The Walking Dead.”
“The agency’s general philosophy is that we are here to get you work,” said Hervey. “We love what we do, so our clients should absolutely love what they do. We’re working very hard for them, and our clients do the same. If we give 100%, we expect our clients to give 200%. Having this collaboration is key and why our actors work so steadily and why we've been in business 30+ wonderful years.”
You can find all of the agency’s current submission guidelines on its website.
A3 Artists Agency
When making the move from beginner to mid-tier, A3 Artists is a good option for actors who have already earned professional credits. A mainstay for more than 40 years, A3 has a solid footing in both L.A. and New York, the latter offering opportunities for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and TV and theatrical roles. Current clients include Rick Hoffman (“Suits,” “Billions”) and Katee Sackhoff, a recurring actor on “The Mandalorian.”
A3 currently only accepts submissions through agents and managers. According to Richard Fisher, a senior partner at A3, the best way to get on the agency’s radar is to put your best work forward.
“It’s rare that I’m gonna call somebody from the mailing. I’d rather be aware of that person; that they’re doing something, somewhere,” he told us. “And that doesn’t mean it has to be Broadway or the biggest Off-Broadway, but even if it is a really good downtown showcase that they’re doing and they send us a postcard—‘Hey, I’m doing this’—that’s the best thing. That’s the best way to get our young agents and assistants out to see things, and we’ll often go through our assistants and say, ‘You should see this. Go downtown and go see this and let’s talk about it tomorrow.’ ”
Buchwald
Founded by actor Don Buchwald, this bicoastal agency offers “representation in every area of the entertainment industry,” including commercials, film, TV, voiceover, and theater. Buchwald has strong ties to New York theater and television; among its roster of actors are “And Just Like That…” stars Sarita Choudhury and Kristin Davis.
In Los Angeles, Buchwald is known for landing talent in premiere projects: for example, Calah Lane in “Wonka” and Daniel Henney on Amazon’s “The Wheel of Time.”
Buchwald only accepts submissions through industry referral.
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The top talent agencies in the acting industry represent in-demand performers with name recognition, box office success, and top-tier credits. When will it be time to make the leap to these upper-echelon companies? They will tell you.
“You know when it’s time for a large agency when they approach you,” says Robert Enriquez, talent manager at Red Baron Management. “It’s really that simple. They search the trades, festivals, [and] showcases. They know and approach when the time is right.”
Aspirational actors should remember and keep up to date with these agencies. Keep auditioning for gigs and build the best demo reel and résumé you can—and maybe one of these companies will come calling.
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Creative Artists Agency may be the company you hear about the most. Founded in 1975 by WME agents Michael Ovitz, Michael S. Rosenfeld, Ronald Meyer, Rowland Perkins, and William Haber, it quickly became a powerhouse in the industry. CAA has been known as the most influential agency in the game ever since. The outfit currently represents A-listers such as Margot Robbie (“Barbie”), Cillian Murphy (“Oppenheimer”), and Zendaya (“Euphoria”).
William Morris Endeavor Agency (WME)
In 2009, one of Hollywood’s very first talent agencies, William Morris, merged with Endeavor to create this powerhouse. Founded in 1898, WME represents talent such as Selena Gomez (“Only Murders in the Building”), Henry Cavill (“Man of Steel”), and Noah Centineo (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”).
United Talent Agency (UTA)
Emerging in 1991, UTA represents “some of the most watched and celebrated actors in film and television.” Its roster includes Chris Pratt (“Guardians of the Galaxy”), John Boyega (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”), and Kevin Hart (“Ride Along”).
The Gersh Agency
Located in both Beverly Hills and New York, Gersh has been representing top names since 1949. Now the fourth-largest agency in the United States, its roster includes Colman Domingo (“Euphoria”), Jacob Elordi (“Saltburn”), and Phoebe Dynevor (“Bridgerton”).
Paradigm Talent Agency
With nine offices throughout the U.S., London, and Canada, Paradigm has been a major player since 1992. The agency’s roster includes Brian Cox (“Succession”), Sydney Sweeney (“Euphoria”), and Antonio Banderas (“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”).