An Agent Answers: Do Actors Actually Have to Like Who Represents Them?

This past weekend, I was at my local café and found myself sitting 6 feet away from two actors. These dudes were in their 20s and good-looking, and they were having a serious conversation about their careers. I have to imagine my eyebrows went up a bit when I realized one of them was getting ready to drop his agent. Why? It seemed his rep was an in-your-face aggressive type—the kind who likes to yell at clients. The actor explained that he couldn’t stand the guy, and that’s why he was getting ready to pull the trigger.

Curious, I walked by their table as I was leaving. I caught a glimpse of the actor’s name on his credit card, and when I was back in my car, I looked him up on IMDb. Surprise! I knew his agent. And the actor was right—the guy is a jerk. If I had to choose between working with him and being unemployed, I would gladly stay home and pick my toes all day long.

But then I realized something: This actor had been working steadily for the last 12 months. He’d actually booked some serious jobs. It was all right there on his page! Putting aside those personality issues, the jerky agent he was about to fire had been pretty effective.

So is this actor right or wrong? Let’s say you’re represented by a bullish agent who’s doing a kick-ass job. What would you do in this actor’s position? If you stay, you might start feeling like a client who tolerates bad behavior. And if you go, you might find a charming replacement who lights up your heart like a Christmas tree but doesn’t get you any decent auditions. 

Let me give you a little more to consider: The day after my encounter at the café, I called one of my casting friends and I asked her to share her opinion of this particular agent. She told me he had excellent taste, and she always saw his people. When I pushed for more, she admitted the guy was difficult to deal with and she would never want to be friends with him, but she wasn’t about to ignore his clients just because he’s rude. 

So now, what would you do? Wait! Before you answer, let me share one more important fact: This agent works at a huge company—the kind with three initials. Their name at the top of your résumé will open doors and get you seen. 

READ: When + Why You Should Pass on an Agent’s
Offer to Represent You

Now you have all the facts. I’ll ask again: What’s the right move?

If you’re waiting for me to help with this decision, you came to the wrong guy. There’s no right or wrong answer here. This is a personal choice you might have to make one day. The way I see it, you should start meditating on it now; it will give you something to do between auditions.

I’ll leave you with a quote from HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.” The main character, played by Steve Buscemi, is a New Jersey politician -turned-gangster, and at a crucial point in the story, he says, “We all have to decide for ourselves how much sin we can live with.”

It’s a good show. You should watch it.

This story originally appeared in the June 3 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.