Los Angeles’ iconic seaside diner Patrick’s Roadhouse at the edge of Pacific Palisades may have slung its last hash brown.
Amid a long-term lease negotiation, and after the financial battering of the pandemic, the half-century-old restaurant just off Pacific Coast Highway, known for its bright green exterior and kitsch décor, is attempting to raise $250,000 for back rent and building improvements as it holds discussions with potential new business partners about the possibility of a return.
While off the radar of industry cognoscenti in recent years, it had long been an unpretentious lure for A-listers like Johnny Carson, Sean Penn and Lucille Ball as well as execs including Jeffrey Katzenberg and onetime Paramount Pictures president Ned Tanen. Its most important Hollywood connection, though, may be its namesake: the seasoned character actor Patrick Fischler, son of the original owner Bill Fischler, who has since died.
Patrick Fischler
Fischler, best known for portraying...
Amid a long-term lease negotiation, and after the financial battering of the pandemic, the half-century-old restaurant just off Pacific Coast Highway, known for its bright green exterior and kitsch décor, is attempting to raise $250,000 for back rent and building improvements as it holds discussions with potential new business partners about the possibility of a return.
While off the radar of industry cognoscenti in recent years, it had long been an unpretentious lure for A-listers like Johnny Carson, Sean Penn and Lucille Ball as well as execs including Jeffrey Katzenberg and onetime Paramount Pictures president Ned Tanen. Its most important Hollywood connection, though, may be its namesake: the seasoned character actor Patrick Fischler, son of the original owner Bill Fischler, who has since died.
Patrick Fischler
Fischler, best known for portraying...
- 4/25/2024
- by Gary Baum
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Almost nine months to the day after the surprise Deadline scoop that CAA would acquire ICM Partners, the deal finally got government approval and closed. This creates a mega agency in the biggest linkup in the space since the Wma-Endeavor merger. Sources close to the situation said the Department of Justice finally approved the deal late last night or this morning, and it closed. It is valued around 750 million, and a combined enterprise value around 5 billion. The merged company’s leadership is expected to address staff at a town hall Thursday, with the newly combined departments set to begin their integration process with get-togethers on July 11, we hear.
First, though, comes the pain.
Around 105 positions will be eliminated, all from ICM, and coming from all areas. There will be 425 ICM agents and staffers from the agency joining CAA, meaning around 80 will be retained by CAA. These conversations will happen quickly.
First, though, comes the pain.
Around 105 positions will be eliminated, all from ICM, and coming from all areas. There will be 425 ICM agents and staffers from the agency joining CAA, meaning around 80 will be retained by CAA. These conversations will happen quickly.
- 6/28/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva and Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Marvin Josephson, founder of ICM Partners, died Tuesday in New York. He was 95 years old.
A cause of death was not immediately available.
“We mourn the loss of Marvin Josephson, one of the founders of ICM, who was universally respected as an agent, a leader and a man,” ICM Partners said in a statement. “We send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”
Born on March 6, 1927 in Atlantic City, N.J., Josephson was raised by immigrant parents. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the twilight of World War II, Josephson returned to the United States to attend Cornell University and then night law school at New York University School of Law. Upon receiving his degree in 1962, Josephson started a job in the CBS legal department.
In 1955, Josephson began his own personal management company, drawing clients such as “Captain Kangaroo” producer and star Bob Keeshan. Josephson would convert his management company...
A cause of death was not immediately available.
“We mourn the loss of Marvin Josephson, one of the founders of ICM, who was universally respected as an agent, a leader and a man,” ICM Partners said in a statement. “We send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”
Born on March 6, 1927 in Atlantic City, N.J., Josephson was raised by immigrant parents. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the twilight of World War II, Josephson returned to the United States to attend Cornell University and then night law school at New York University School of Law. Upon receiving his degree in 1962, Josephson started a job in the CBS legal department.
In 1955, Josephson began his own personal management company, drawing clients such as “Captain Kangaroo” producer and star Bob Keeshan. Josephson would convert his management company...
- 5/19/2022
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: One of Hollywood’s most colorful characters of recent decades, Elie Samaha, is making a comeback with L.A.-based Luminosity Entertainment.
Samaha, entrepreneur and producer of movies including The Whole Nine Yards, Battlefield Earth and The Pledge, is joining forces with fellow industry vets Daniel Diamond and Geno Taylor at Luminosity, which will look to finance, produce and distribute movies in the U.S., as well as handle international sales.
The company tells us it plans to develop and produce 15 films over the next two years, with budgets up to $50M per title. Genres will include action, thriller, urban, faith-based, comedy, family, fantasy and sci-fi with an eye toward diversity and global appeal.
Financing for the company includes investments by Samaha, Steven Markoff, Sherwin Jarol and Dr. David Wood. The Board of Advisors includes former Warner Bros Domestic Distribution President Dan Fellman, former William Morris Chairman Jim Wiatt...
Samaha, entrepreneur and producer of movies including The Whole Nine Yards, Battlefield Earth and The Pledge, is joining forces with fellow industry vets Daniel Diamond and Geno Taylor at Luminosity, which will look to finance, produce and distribute movies in the U.S., as well as handle international sales.
The company tells us it plans to develop and produce 15 films over the next two years, with budgets up to $50M per title. Genres will include action, thriller, urban, faith-based, comedy, family, fantasy and sci-fi with an eye toward diversity and global appeal.
Financing for the company includes investments by Samaha, Steven Markoff, Sherwin Jarol and Dr. David Wood. The Board of Advisors includes former Warner Bros Domestic Distribution President Dan Fellman, former William Morris Chairman Jim Wiatt...
- 9/23/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Hours after Joe Biden said that he had to be more aggressive in debates, he made a swipe at Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump’s lawyer and a primary trafficker in claims and conspiracy theories about Biden and his son, Hunter.
“The guy’s a thug, Giuliani. No, he’s a thug. I know him,” Biden told about 100 people gathered at the Brentwood home of Paramount’s Jim Gianopulos and his wife, Ann.
According to a pool report, Biden continued, “And the president is the most dishonorable president in American history. And folks, he picked the wrong guy to pick a fight with, because I’ll tell you what. I’m going to beat him like a drum.”
The event at the Gianopulos home on Thursday evening was Biden’s second fundraiser of the day. Earlier, he spoke at the home of producer Michael Lombardo and his husband, Sonny Ward,...
“The guy’s a thug, Giuliani. No, he’s a thug. I know him,” Biden told about 100 people gathered at the Brentwood home of Paramount’s Jim Gianopulos and his wife, Ann.
According to a pool report, Biden continued, “And the president is the most dishonorable president in American history. And folks, he picked the wrong guy to pick a fight with, because I’ll tell you what. I’m going to beat him like a drum.”
The event at the Gianopulos home on Thursday evening was Biden’s second fundraiser of the day. Earlier, he spoke at the home of producer Michael Lombardo and his husband, Sonny Ward,...
- 10/11/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
John Ferriter, the former powerhouse William Morris Agency Evp/Worldwide Head of Non-Scripted TV and the only Wma board member to vote against the merger with Endeavor, died Thursday, according to sources. He was 59. A former close associate of his shared the news with some of Ferriter’s former colleagues today. We are still trying to confirm cause of death and specific details.
Also a television producer and a singer whose bands The Tearaways and Stingray opened for bands including The Bangles, Rem and Guns & Roses, Ferriter is probably best remembered for his career at Wma, where he spent nearly two decades and rose to the level of executive vice president. He also became a Wma board member, one who was very critical of the merger between Wma and Endeavor that left the latter smaller agency in control, and many of the braintrust of the colossus out, including Wma chief Jim Wiatt.
Also a television producer and a singer whose bands The Tearaways and Stingray opened for bands including The Bangles, Rem and Guns & Roses, Ferriter is probably best remembered for his career at Wma, where he spent nearly two decades and rose to the level of executive vice president. He also became a Wma board member, one who was very critical of the merger between Wma and Endeavor that left the latter smaller agency in control, and many of the braintrust of the colossus out, including Wma chief Jim Wiatt.
- 7/26/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
June 1, 2019 marks the official 10-year anniversary of the William Morris Agency-Endeavor merger. As part of Deadline’s coverage of the milestone, we reached out to John Ferriter, former Wma Evp/Worldwide Head of Non-Scripted TV, who was the only board member in either company who voted against the merger. He was let go from Wme, triggering a $25 million lawsuit against the agency, which was eventually settled. He now runs managing and production company The Alternative, which he launched in 2015.
Here is Ferriter’s first-person account in vivid detail — some of it never before revealed — of the events leading to and immediately following the merger, as well as his take on it 10 years later. He chronicles the internal discord at Wma and the maneuvering by the Endeavor leadership that allowed the storied, 111-year-old agency to be taken over by a scrappy and aggressive upstart. He also addresses his Wme ouster...
Here is Ferriter’s first-person account in vivid detail — some of it never before revealed — of the events leading to and immediately following the merger, as well as his take on it 10 years later. He chronicles the internal discord at Wma and the maneuvering by the Endeavor leadership that allowed the storied, 111-year-old agency to be taken over by a scrappy and aggressive upstart. He also addresses his Wme ouster...
- 6/1/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
June 1, 2019 marks the official 10-year anniversary of the William Morris Agency-Endeavor merger. It wasn’t a marriage of equals, with 14-year-old Endeavor, then valued at $100 million-plus, joining forces with a Hollywood royalty, the 111-year-old Wma valued at more than twice as much. But, in one of the most shocking Hollywood takeovers, it was Endeavor, with its 80 agents, that came up on top, taking advantage of the existing fractures within Wma leadership to take control of the bigger rival, which boasted more than 300 agents at the time.
“The Wma leadership was totally blindsided; they truly believed that they would be running the combined company,” one insider said. Indeed, Wma was supposed to control five of Wme’s nine board seats versus four for Endeavor, with Wma CEO Jim Wiatt leading Wme as chairman and Wma president Dave Wirtschafter as co-ceo alongside Endeavor toppers Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell.
But the...
“The Wma leadership was totally blindsided; they truly believed that they would be running the combined company,” one insider said. Indeed, Wma was supposed to control five of Wme’s nine board seats versus four for Endeavor, with Wma CEO Jim Wiatt leading Wme as chairman and Wma president Dave Wirtschafter as co-ceo alongside Endeavor toppers Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell.
But the...
- 6/1/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Just over a month after Donald Trump was in town for a pricey Beverly Hills fundraiser, Joe Biden tonight told a deep-pocketed Hollywood crowd in the same neighborhood that the time for change is here.
“I promise you if we elect a Democrat this time — I predict to you whether it’s me or someone else – but I guarantee you if it’s me, what’s gonna happen is, we’re going to see this country come together like it hasn’t in a long time,” the ex-Vice-President said at the $2,500 to $10,000 a ticket event at the home of Barack Obama’s former Ambassador to Spain and HBO executive James Costos and his partner and ex-White House interior designer Michael Smith.
In his third bid for the Oval Office, tonight’s function was the first Tinseltown fundraiser for Biden, who was a frequent visitor to the Hollywood Atm when...
“I promise you if we elect a Democrat this time — I predict to you whether it’s me or someone else – but I guarantee you if it’s me, what’s gonna happen is, we’re going to see this country come together like it hasn’t in a long time,” the ex-Vice-President said at the $2,500 to $10,000 a ticket event at the home of Barack Obama’s former Ambassador to Spain and HBO executive James Costos and his partner and ex-White House interior designer Michael Smith.
In his third bid for the Oval Office, tonight’s function was the first Tinseltown fundraiser for Biden, who was a frequent visitor to the Hollywood Atm when...
- 5/9/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Yorgos Lanthimos has set up a crime drama, “Here Lies Daniel Tate” is being adapted, and Donna Langley becomes a member of the USC film school board.
Director Hired
“The Favourite” producer-director Yorgos Lanthimos has signed on to write and direct crime drama “Pop. 1280,” an adaptation of Jim Thompson’s novel about a corrupt small-town sheriff in the 1960s.
Element Pictures will produce with Imperative Entertainment and Lanthimos, in association with Discovery Productions. “The Favourite” is up for 10 Oscars this weekend, including best picture and director.
“Pop. 1280” centers on a sheriff who won’t solve problems, enforce rules or arrest criminals because he knows that nobody in his jurisdiction actually wants to follow the law. But with an election coming, he needs to fix his problems in order to remain in office.
Andrew Lowe and Ed Guiney of Element Pictures, Lanthimos, Ryan Friedkin of Imperative Entertainment,...
Director Hired
“The Favourite” producer-director Yorgos Lanthimos has signed on to write and direct crime drama “Pop. 1280,” an adaptation of Jim Thompson’s novel about a corrupt small-town sheriff in the 1960s.
Element Pictures will produce with Imperative Entertainment and Lanthimos, in association with Discovery Productions. “The Favourite” is up for 10 Oscars this weekend, including best picture and director.
“Pop. 1280” centers on a sheriff who won’t solve problems, enforce rules or arrest criminals because he knows that nobody in his jurisdiction actually wants to follow the law. But with an election coming, he needs to fix his problems in order to remain in office.
Andrew Lowe and Ed Guiney of Element Pictures, Lanthimos, Ryan Friedkin of Imperative Entertainment,...
- 2/23/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Donna Langley, Chairman, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, has joined the USC School of Cinematic Arts (Sca) Board of Councilors which helps guide the college’s overall planning, development, and fundraising efforts.
“Donna’s understanding of global industry trends and insight about what makes media entertaining and impactful will be very valuable to our School,” said Elizabeth M. Daley, Dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts who made the announcement today.
“I look forward to her contributions to the Board, and to the future growth of all our divisions. She will also be a great inspiration to our students,” added Daley.
Board of Councilors Chair Frank Price states, “Donna is a proven business leader at the helm of one of the industry’s most successful film studios, and her experience and knowledge will contribute immensely to our overall vision for the School and its talented students. We are honored to have her join the Board.
“Donna’s understanding of global industry trends and insight about what makes media entertaining and impactful will be very valuable to our School,” said Elizabeth M. Daley, Dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts who made the announcement today.
“I look forward to her contributions to the Board, and to the future growth of all our divisions. She will also be a great inspiration to our students,” added Daley.
Board of Councilors Chair Frank Price states, “Donna is a proven business leader at the helm of one of the industry’s most successful film studios, and her experience and knowledge will contribute immensely to our overall vision for the School and its talented students. We are honored to have her join the Board.
- 2/21/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Whistle, the youth-focused distributor and creator of sports content, has acquired New Form, the Ron Howard and Brian Grazer-backed media company, both companies said in a joint statement on Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The deal comes after Whistle raised $28 million in Series D funding last year, including an investment from Jeffrey Katzenberg’s WndrCo. Both companies have made several new content deals recently, with Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media creating a new documentary series for Whistle and New Form adding the Sofia Vergara-produced “365 Days of Love” documentary series to Facebook Watch. The merger allows Whistle, which says it has an audience of 518 million subscribers and followers, to double down on its bet on original series and scale its business.
“It was a great match from the start. Both companies excel at discovering emerging narratives and storytelling,” John West, Whistle’s CEO and founder, said in a statement.
The deal comes after Whistle raised $28 million in Series D funding last year, including an investment from Jeffrey Katzenberg’s WndrCo. Both companies have made several new content deals recently, with Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media creating a new documentary series for Whistle and New Form adding the Sofia Vergara-produced “365 Days of Love” documentary series to Facebook Watch. The merger allows Whistle, which says it has an audience of 518 million subscribers and followers, to double down on its bet on original series and scale its business.
“It was a great match from the start. Both companies excel at discovering emerging narratives and storytelling,” John West, Whistle’s CEO and founder, said in a statement.
- 1/23/2019
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
No matter what they do to Los Angeles, and lately they’ve done quite a lot with all the traffic, hyper-development, and electric scooters, they can’t get rid of the movie ghosts. The accumulated haunt of a century-old industry, those pop up in nooks and crannies, sometimes where you least expect them. There are a couple next door to Katy Perry’s coveted convent-house in Los Feliz, for instance. That’s where the Manson family killed the Labiancas a night after murdering Sharon Tate and friends, setting off Hollywood’s Helter Skelter panic. The address on the curb has been changed. But the ghosts are still there.
A mostly gentler sort stalk one of my favorite memory pockets, Santa Monica Canyon. Geographically, that’s a leafy trough that runs between the Pacific Palisades district of Los Angeles and the City of Santa Monica. It has identity issues. The postal addresses,...
A mostly gentler sort stalk one of my favorite memory pockets, Santa Monica Canyon. Geographically, that’s a leafy trough that runs between the Pacific Palisades district of Los Angeles and the City of Santa Monica. It has identity issues. The postal addresses,...
- 9/16/2018
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
4th Update: An eclectic mix of current and former moguls, executives, producers, directors, and of course actors attended the marquee pre-Oscar parties as well as famed artists, museum directors, fashion designers, music icons, and star athletes. Barry Diller’s luncheon for Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter Saturday was smaller than usual. That night, Jeffrey Katzenberg’s ‘Night Before’ Oscar MPTF fundraiser avoided a union picket line. The agency parties dominated Thursday and Friday nights. CAA‘s was bigger than in past years when 200-300 guests crowded Bryan Lourd’s home. This time about 500 gathered at luxe Greystone Mansion for Old Hollywood glamour with men dressed ascots and women given gardenia corsages. WME‘s was held at Ari Emanuel’s home as usual and UTA‘s at Jim Berkus’ house again. ICM Partners‘ was held at the home of agent Hildy Gottlieb. Few of these names need introductions...
- 2/24/2013
- by Nikki Finke and Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Now that Wme Entertainment chairman Jim Wiatt orchestrated the merger between Wma and Endeavor, his next move is … to leave the company?
The answer is yes, according to published reports. Eventually.
According to sources, the 63-year-old Wiatt is not expected to exit the company anytime soon, but will head out the door within the next year.
While there are no details of what the next chapter of his career would be, it is likely he will take an emeritus title at the new agency. That move could free him up from day-to-day responsibilities but let him be as involved as he wants to be. Ari Emanuel, Patrick Whitesell and Dave Wirtschafter will be running Wme, which still awaits regulatory approval.
The answer is yes, according to published reports. Eventually.
According to sources, the 63-year-old Wiatt is not expected to exit the company anytime soon, but will head out the door within the next year.
While there are no details of what the next chapter of his career would be, it is likely he will take an emeritus title at the new agency. That move could free him up from day-to-day responsibilities but let him be as involved as he wants to be. Ari Emanuel, Patrick Whitesell and Dave Wirtschafter will be running Wme, which still awaits regulatory approval.
- 5/23/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Steve Rabineau Steve Rabineau has joined the United Talent Agency, where he is now a partner and agent in the motion picture lit department. He leaves behind Wma, where he spent the past five years.
Rabineau's move is among the first to take place in the wake of Wma's decision to merge with Endeavor, which was announced last week, and signals an ongoing realignment of the talent agency world.
Rabineau spent a decade at Icm before moving in 1997 to the upstart Endeavor, where he became a partner. In 2004, Rabineau, along with fellow Endeavor motion picture lit agent David Lonner, moved to Wma, where they were reunited with Wma head Jim Wiatt, with whom they had worked during their years at Icm.
But now that Endeavor is melding with Wma, Rabineau has opted to strike out for UTA.
Rabineau clients who are relocating with him include Alfonso Cuaron, Phillip Noyce,...
Rabineau's move is among the first to take place in the wake of Wma's decision to merge with Endeavor, which was announced last week, and signals an ongoing realignment of the talent agency world.
Rabineau spent a decade at Icm before moving in 1997 to the upstart Endeavor, where he became a partner. In 2004, Rabineau, along with fellow Endeavor motion picture lit agent David Lonner, moved to Wma, where they were reunited with Wma head Jim Wiatt, with whom they had worked during their years at Icm.
But now that Endeavor is melding with Wma, Rabineau has opted to strike out for UTA.
Rabineau clients who are relocating with him include Alfonso Cuaron, Phillip Noyce,...
- 5/4/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In a major shift within the talent representation business, leaders from the 111-year old Wma and the 14-year old Endeavor voted to merge forming Wme Entertainment. The new super-sized agency combines the cash assets of Wma through its music, tours and television show legacy deals with the client-rich roster of Endeavor. Leading Wme Entertainment will be Jim Wiatt as Chairman (formerly Wma's CEO), while Endeavor heads Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell and Wma president Dave Wirtschafter will oversee the new entity's operations. Wme Entertainment will also be headed by a nine-person board of directors including five executives from Wma and four from Endeavor. By the end of 2009, Wme Entertainment will likely be headquartered in Beverly Hills at a building Wma is in the process of designing. But, possibly in the next few months layoffs are expected within Wma's ranks as Wma has nearly four times the number of agents than Endeavor.
- 4/28/2009
- by cynthia@cynopsis.com
- Cynopsis.com/
Endeavor and the William Morris Agency agreed Monday afternoon to a merger that dramatically redraws the map for Hollywood's talent agencies.
WMA's 20-person board and Endeavor's 28 partners, in separate meetings, approved the deal, the largest combination of two existing agencies in Hollywood history. While things will not be finalized for several weeks as regulatory approvals are sought, the stage already is set for fresh upheaval as rival agencies attempt to lure agents and clients away from the new combine.
The new agency will operate under the moniker William Morris Endeavor (WME) Entertainment, preserving the venerable William Morris name that has become synonymous with repping talent while giving Endeavor room in the spotlight. It will position itself as a challenger to dominant industry agency CAA.
WMA's Jim Wiatt will serve as chairman of the new agency, with Endeavor's...
WMA's 20-person board and Endeavor's 28 partners, in separate meetings, approved the deal, the largest combination of two existing agencies in Hollywood history. While things will not be finalized for several weeks as regulatory approvals are sought, the stage already is set for fresh upheaval as rival agencies attempt to lure agents and clients away from the new combine.
The new agency will operate under the moniker William Morris Endeavor (WME) Entertainment, preserving the venerable William Morris name that has become synonymous with repping talent while giving Endeavor room in the spotlight. It will position itself as a challenger to dominant industry agency CAA.
WMA's Jim Wiatt will serve as chairman of the new agency, with Endeavor's...
- 4/27/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The WMA-Endeavor mating dance is expected to reach its climax this week, with the agencies voting to approve a merger as early as Monday.
The new entity also is expected to sport a new moniker -- WME Entertainment currently tops the list -- that draws from both current names but gives the larger William Morris first billing, albeit in abbreviated form.
Although neither company has formally approved the merger, Endeavor's 28 partners and WMA's 20-person board discussed the proposed merger separately last week and are poised to take votes on it this week.
The new outfit is expected to have a nine-person board, with WMA putting forward five members and Endeavor four.
Ari Emanuel, Patrick Whitesell, Rick Rosen and Adam Venit are on tap to join the new board from the Endeavor side. For Wma, the betting is that the new board will include Jim Wiatt, David Wirtschafter, John Fogelman,...
The new entity also is expected to sport a new moniker -- WME Entertainment currently tops the list -- that draws from both current names but gives the larger William Morris first billing, albeit in abbreviated form.
Although neither company has formally approved the merger, Endeavor's 28 partners and WMA's 20-person board discussed the proposed merger separately last week and are poised to take votes on it this week.
The new outfit is expected to have a nine-person board, with WMA putting forward five members and Endeavor four.
Ari Emanuel, Patrick Whitesell, Rick Rosen and Adam Venit are on tap to join the new board from the Endeavor side. For Wma, the betting is that the new board will include Jim Wiatt, David Wirtschafter, John Fogelman,...
- 4/26/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Wma board meeting Tuesday afternoon likely was one of the more tense in the storied history of the 120-year-old agency. That's because the 20-member body has to grapple with the fact that a merger with Endeavor means Wma agents on the combined board likely will total just five or six, to mirror the number that comes from the other side.
Many Wma stalwarts soon will have their noses out of joint and their resumes ready if they aren't on the new team.
Among the strongest contenders to be on a combined board, other than Wma CEO Jim Wiatt and president David Wirtschafter, are COO Irv Weintraub, motion picture head John Fogelman and New York-based literary co-head Jennifer Rudolph Walsh. That could leave a lot of heavyweights standing when the music stops, including reality chieftains Mark Itkin and John Ferriter as well as music maven Peter Grosslight. (Reality and music...
Many Wma stalwarts soon will have their noses out of joint and their resumes ready if they aren't on the new team.
Among the strongest contenders to be on a combined board, other than Wma CEO Jim Wiatt and president David Wirtschafter, are COO Irv Weintraub, motion picture head John Fogelman and New York-based literary co-head Jennifer Rudolph Walsh. That could leave a lot of heavyweights standing when the music stops, including reality chieftains Mark Itkin and John Ferriter as well as music maven Peter Grosslight. (Reality and music...
- 4/21/2009
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
What would a hookup mean?
As William Morris and Endeavor continue to try to hammer out a potential merger, the consequences for the industry are emerging as vast and complicated.
The combination of the two shops would be nearly unprecedented in modern Hollywood, whose agency pairings have tended to come more as an absorption than as a merger of equals.
Yet Wma and Endeavor have been in discussions for weeks, with agency partners including Ari Emanuel at Endeavor and Jim Wiatt and Dave Wirtschafter at Wma said to be in the talks. Reps for the two agencies declined comment. But some observers put the odds at 50-50 that a deal could be worked out -- far from a certainty but a very real possibility.
A merger would hold appeal for both companies, combining departments and strengths that in many cases are complementary.
"This would get William Morris back in the game with talent,...
As William Morris and Endeavor continue to try to hammer out a potential merger, the consequences for the industry are emerging as vast and complicated.
The combination of the two shops would be nearly unprecedented in modern Hollywood, whose agency pairings have tended to come more as an absorption than as a merger of equals.
Yet Wma and Endeavor have been in discussions for weeks, with agency partners including Ari Emanuel at Endeavor and Jim Wiatt and Dave Wirtschafter at Wma said to be in the talks. Reps for the two agencies declined comment. But some observers put the odds at 50-50 that a deal could be worked out -- far from a certainty but a very real possibility.
A merger would hold appeal for both companies, combining departments and strengths that in many cases are complementary.
"This would get William Morris back in the game with talent,...
- 3/10/2009
- by By Steven Zeitchik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Longtime Wma agent Lewis Henderson is leaving after a 17-year stint with the agency.
Henderson, senior vp and head of Wma's digital media business, is exiting on his own accord to explore new opportunities. "I've been here 17 years and it's been a great ride, and I'm ready to try something different," he said."
Henderson is a pioneer in Hollywood's forays into digital media and is a trusted lieutenant to Wma chief Jim Wiatt in availing the agency's clientele to online and mobile opportunities. Most recently, he brought Wma into a joint venture with At&T and Accel Partners to form the Mail Room Fund, which focused on investing in digital media startup companies.
Henderson started in Wma's mailroom in 1989 before serving in the agency's television department and consulting division.
"Lewis has been a tremendous colleague over the years, and we thank him for his invaluable contributions," he said.
Henderson, senior vp and head of Wma's digital media business, is exiting on his own accord to explore new opportunities. "I've been here 17 years and it's been a great ride, and I'm ready to try something different," he said."
Henderson is a pioneer in Hollywood's forays into digital media and is a trusted lieutenant to Wma chief Jim Wiatt in availing the agency's clientele to online and mobile opportunities. Most recently, he brought Wma into a joint venture with At&T and Accel Partners to form the Mail Room Fund, which focused on investing in digital media startup companies.
Henderson started in Wma's mailroom in 1989 before serving in the agency's television department and consulting division.
"Lewis has been a tremendous colleague over the years, and we thank him for his invaluable contributions," he said.
- 2/12/2009
- by By Andrew Wallenstein
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sun Valley, Idaho -- Major media executives are packing their bathing suits, Blackberrys and iPods this weekend, headed for their version of summer camp -- the annual gathering put together by financier Herb Allen in this exclusive resort.
For five days beginning Tuesday, several hundred media mavens of all stripes will sit through confabs and participate in informal business discussions on topics as far-ranging as Iraq, the economy and the Googling of everything.
Though they wouldn't put it this way, they also get to look and feel important -- and watch veterans like Rupert Murdoch and Sumner Redstone in shorts, sipping cool drinks and looking debonair with their much younger trophy wives.
Last year, the trendy topic was "Content Is King"; this year, Allen & Co. is being predictably tight-lipped about conference subjects and even guest attendees. Best bet: It's still Iraq, the economy and the Googling of everything. Maybe even a deal or two.
Spokesperson Eileen Vegg said the media is allowed informal access to the various moguls but are not allowed to attend any presentation, lecture or meal.
Among those likely to make the trek, besides Murdoch (with son Laclan) and Redstone, are Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett, eBay's Meg Whitman, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts co-founder Henry Kravis, Sirius' Mel Karmazin, Viacom's Philippe Dauman, Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang, Sony's Howard Stringer, former top dog at Time Warner Richard Parsons, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Warner Music's Edgar Bronfman Jr., Universal's Ron Meyer, Disney's Robert Iger and Paramount's Brad Grey.
New media will be repped by such upstarts as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Ning founder and Facebook board member Marc Andreessen, Sling Media's Blake Krikorian and Google's Sergei Brin and Eric Schmidt.
Such Hollywood agents as Caa's Richard Lovett, Uta's Jim Berkus, Icm's Jeff Berg and Wma's Jim Wiatt also generally jet in.
Bill Gates, normally an attendee, may be a no-show this year. He stepped down as CEO of Microsoft last week to turn his attention to his foundation. So while Gates may be looking to gather donations from this gaggle of billionaires, he won't likely be directly involved in any corporate intrigue. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is not expected to attend due to a prior engagement, Reuters reported.
DreamWorks co-founder Jeff Katzenberg, and possibly Steven Spielberg or David Geffen, may appear, with the latter two likely there to talk up DreamWorks' anticipated big deal with India's Reliance conglomerate. It's even conceivable that Reliance topper Anil Ambani, whose company is involved in everything from energy to entertainment, might make the trip for the first time.
Several attendees said they are excited about the idea that one or both of the presidential candidates would arrived on the Sun Valley airport tarmac. John McCain and Barack Obama might want to curry favor with a presumably relaxed group of high-profile billionaires. Former British prime minister Tony Blair showed up last year.
Attendees will surely note the absence of director Sydney Pollack, a good friend of Allen's who attended every year. He died of cancer in May.
For five days beginning Tuesday, several hundred media mavens of all stripes will sit through confabs and participate in informal business discussions on topics as far-ranging as Iraq, the economy and the Googling of everything.
Though they wouldn't put it this way, they also get to look and feel important -- and watch veterans like Rupert Murdoch and Sumner Redstone in shorts, sipping cool drinks and looking debonair with their much younger trophy wives.
Last year, the trendy topic was "Content Is King"; this year, Allen & Co. is being predictably tight-lipped about conference subjects and even guest attendees. Best bet: It's still Iraq, the economy and the Googling of everything. Maybe even a deal or two.
Spokesperson Eileen Vegg said the media is allowed informal access to the various moguls but are not allowed to attend any presentation, lecture or meal.
Among those likely to make the trek, besides Murdoch (with son Laclan) and Redstone, are Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett, eBay's Meg Whitman, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts co-founder Henry Kravis, Sirius' Mel Karmazin, Viacom's Philippe Dauman, Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang, Sony's Howard Stringer, former top dog at Time Warner Richard Parsons, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Warner Music's Edgar Bronfman Jr., Universal's Ron Meyer, Disney's Robert Iger and Paramount's Brad Grey.
New media will be repped by such upstarts as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Ning founder and Facebook board member Marc Andreessen, Sling Media's Blake Krikorian and Google's Sergei Brin and Eric Schmidt.
Such Hollywood agents as Caa's Richard Lovett, Uta's Jim Berkus, Icm's Jeff Berg and Wma's Jim Wiatt also generally jet in.
Bill Gates, normally an attendee, may be a no-show this year. He stepped down as CEO of Microsoft last week to turn his attention to his foundation. So while Gates may be looking to gather donations from this gaggle of billionaires, he won't likely be directly involved in any corporate intrigue. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is not expected to attend due to a prior engagement, Reuters reported.
DreamWorks co-founder Jeff Katzenberg, and possibly Steven Spielberg or David Geffen, may appear, with the latter two likely there to talk up DreamWorks' anticipated big deal with India's Reliance conglomerate. It's even conceivable that Reliance topper Anil Ambani, whose company is involved in everything from energy to entertainment, might make the trip for the first time.
Several attendees said they are excited about the idea that one or both of the presidential candidates would arrived on the Sun Valley airport tarmac. John McCain and Barack Obama might want to curry favor with a presumably relaxed group of high-profile billionaires. Former British prime minister Tony Blair showed up last year.
Attendees will surely note the absence of director Sydney Pollack, a good friend of Allen's who attended every year. He died of cancer in May.
- 7/4/2008
- by By Dan Cox
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The producer of Mel Gibson's new movie has hit out at claims the actor has been blacklisted by Hollywood studios.
Recent reports suggested Gibson has failed to find a studio to distribute his new film Edge of Darkness, because major companies have turned their back on him following his drunken anti-Semitic rant two years ago.
But the film's Oscar-winning producer Graham King reveals this summer's impending actor's strike - due to take place during the planned Edge of Darkness shoot - is the real reason he hasn't sold the film.
King explains, "The only reason I didn't sell the movie, is I had to get a SAG (Screen Actor's Guild) waiver. If I had a distribution deal with a studio, I never would have gotten the waiver."
King also dismisses claims Gibson is hated in Hollywood: "I don't think so. We took the movie to Cannes. I sold the movie in Israel. It surprised the hell out of me."
Jim Wiatt, the chairman of Gibson's agency, William Morris, agrees with King, telling the New York Post, "It's not true that the studios won't work with Mel. He's been offered movies by Fox and Warner Bros. and others."...
Recent reports suggested Gibson has failed to find a studio to distribute his new film Edge of Darkness, because major companies have turned their back on him following his drunken anti-Semitic rant two years ago.
But the film's Oscar-winning producer Graham King reveals this summer's impending actor's strike - due to take place during the planned Edge of Darkness shoot - is the real reason he hasn't sold the film.
King explains, "The only reason I didn't sell the movie, is I had to get a SAG (Screen Actor's Guild) waiver. If I had a distribution deal with a studio, I never would have gotten the waiver."
King also dismisses claims Gibson is hated in Hollywood: "I don't think so. We took the movie to Cannes. I sold the movie in Israel. It surprised the hell out of me."
Jim Wiatt, the chairman of Gibson's agency, William Morris, agrees with King, telling the New York Post, "It's not true that the studios won't work with Mel. He's been offered movies by Fox and Warner Bros. and others."...
- 6/9/2008
- WENN
WMA and Silicon Valley venture capital firms Accel and Venrock announced a new digital media investment fund Monday, with AT&T signed on as a limited partner.
Richard Wolpert, formerly president of Disney Online and chief strategy officer at Real Networks, will manage the fund.
Paul Bricault, senior vp and head of the consulting department at WMA, said areas of interest for the fund -- which will concentrate on seed-stage companies -- will span the digital media landscape and include the wireless field, advertising applications, video games and social networking. Although WMA chairman and CEO Jim Wiatt stressed that the consortium will have no "borders," the fund will focus on new-media start-ups in Southern California.
"There's certainly an overweight of capital from Northern California to Southern California," Bricault said, though he noted that the Los Angeles area does have its share of investors. "We just felt there's an opportunity to have another player in the game that has a different focus and brings a collective skill set to the table."
Although AT&T is not a name typically associated with talent agencies and in venture capital circles, Wiatt said his company shares a focus with the teleco.
Richard Wolpert, formerly president of Disney Online and chief strategy officer at Real Networks, will manage the fund.
Paul Bricault, senior vp and head of the consulting department at WMA, said areas of interest for the fund -- which will concentrate on seed-stage companies -- will span the digital media landscape and include the wireless field, advertising applications, video games and social networking. Although WMA chairman and CEO Jim Wiatt stressed that the consortium will have no "borders," the fund will focus on new-media start-ups in Southern California.
"There's certainly an overweight of capital from Northern California to Southern California," Bricault said, though he noted that the Los Angeles area does have its share of investors. "We just felt there's an opportunity to have another player in the game that has a different focus and brings a collective skill set to the table."
Although AT&T is not a name typically associated with talent agencies and in venture capital circles, Wiatt said his company shares a focus with the teleco.
Just 72 hours after emancipating himself and his impressive client list from ICM, former co-president Ed Limato has inked a multiyear deal with WMA.
Limato, who joins former ICM colleagues Jim Wiatt, George Freeman and his own one-time assistant Troy Zien, brings with him an A-list roster that includes Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Richard Gere, Steve Martin, Michael Biehn, Thomas Jane, Derek Luke, Sam Neill and Adrian Lyne. The move dramatically bolsters WMA's talent department, which already boasts such high-earning clients as Russell Crowe, Eddie Murphy and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and narrows the distance between WMA and industry leader CAA.
"I can only speak for what it does for us," WMA CEO Wiatt said. "Ed is a great inspiration. There were standing ovations when he walked down the halls."
Last month, Limato left ICM after a nearly two-decade marriage, creating an acrimonious split between the uber agent and the recently revamped agency.
In the wake, Limato loyalists Matt Eskander, Richard Konigsberg and DJ Talbot were shown the door.
Limato, who joins former ICM colleagues Jim Wiatt, George Freeman and his own one-time assistant Troy Zien, brings with him an A-list roster that includes Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Richard Gere, Steve Martin, Michael Biehn, Thomas Jane, Derek Luke, Sam Neill and Adrian Lyne. The move dramatically bolsters WMA's talent department, which already boasts such high-earning clients as Russell Crowe, Eddie Murphy and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and narrows the distance between WMA and industry leader CAA.
"I can only speak for what it does for us," WMA CEO Wiatt said. "Ed is a great inspiration. There were standing ovations when he walked down the halls."
Last month, Limato left ICM after a nearly two-decade marriage, creating an acrimonious split between the uber agent and the recently revamped agency.
In the wake, Limato loyalists Matt Eskander, Richard Konigsberg and DJ Talbot were shown the door.
- 8/17/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Just 72 hours after emancipating himself and his impressive client list from ICM, former co-president Ed Limato has inked a multiyear deal with WMA.
Limato, who joins former ICM colleagues Jim Wiatt, George Freeman and his own one-time assistant Troy Zien, brings with him an A-list roster that includes Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Richard Gere, Steve Martin, Michael Biehn, Thomas Jane, Derek Luke, Sam Neill and Adrian Lyne. The move dramatically bolsters WMA's talent department, which already boasts such high-earning clients as Russell Crowe, Eddie Murphy and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and narrows the distance between WMA and industry leader CAA.
"I can only speak for what it does for us," WMA CEO Wiatt said. "Ed is a great inspiration. There were standing ovations when he walked down the halls."
Last month, Limato left ICM after a nearly two-decade marriage, creating an acrimonious split between the uber agent and the recently revamped agency.
In the wake, Limato loyalists Matt Eskander, Richard Konigsberg and DJ Talbot were shown the door.
Limato, who joins former ICM colleagues Jim Wiatt, George Freeman and his own one-time assistant Troy Zien, brings with him an A-list roster that includes Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Richard Gere, Steve Martin, Michael Biehn, Thomas Jane, Derek Luke, Sam Neill and Adrian Lyne. The move dramatically bolsters WMA's talent department, which already boasts such high-earning clients as Russell Crowe, Eddie Murphy and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and narrows the distance between WMA and industry leader CAA.
"I can only speak for what it does for us," WMA CEO Wiatt said. "Ed is a great inspiration. There were standing ovations when he walked down the halls."
Last month, Limato left ICM after a nearly two-decade marriage, creating an acrimonious split between the uber agent and the recently revamped agency.
In the wake, Limato loyalists Matt Eskander, Richard Konigsberg and DJ Talbot were shown the door.
- 8/17/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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