THE TOP Talent Agencies in Los Angeles 2024
If you are an aspiring actor, musician, or other artist looking to “make it” within your industry, finding the right talent agency can be critical for your success.
The truth is that these types of industries are all about who you know and the connections that are available to you. A powerful talent agency can help you forge and foster those connections so that you can set your mark in Hollywood, Broadway, or the music industry.
While it is essential for you to have the right talent agency in your corner, finding the “right,” one can be a challenge. Because this is La La Land, there are literally hundreds of agents and managers claiming that they are ready to help you become a star.
What an Agent Does for You
To make sure you understand the importance of finding the right agency, a little information needs to be provided to you. Keep in mind that if you are an author, musician, model, actor, or another type of artist, the way that you get in is by connections or referrals. The right connection will help you to get an opportunity.
Agents will not only help you make the right connections but will secure you top auditions, negotiate your contracts, and ensure that the casting community is aware of you. By default, they also benefit you by the names that they represent. When a talent agency works with well-recognized names within an industry, they have established a level of credibility. Producers and directors expect great things from that agency because of who they represent, and that can be beneficial to you. The other side of the coin is that IF you are not as established as other actors within that agency you could end up collecting dust on someone’s client roster. In other words “get lost in the shuffle”.
Who Should You Use?
Here are 10 agencies (in no particular order) you may want to consider, with a brief explanation related to each one. Mind you, for many of them you need an industry referral and cannot simply reach out expecting engagement - they consider this action unsolicited.
CESD Talent
Hosts an industry-leading theatrical/film-TV department representing many diverse performers including some of the top young stars in America. And for over 35 years its young talent on-camera, print, and voice-over departments have represented child and teen performers for commercials, animation, and print businesses. On January 1, 2005, longtime CED executives Ken Slevin and Paul Doherty became partners and Cunningham-Escott-Slevin-Doherty Talent Agency was created.
KMR Talent
Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates Inc. is one of the country’s leading talent agencies. With over 60 years of serving the entertainment industry, KMR has consistently been ranked by the Los Angeles Business Journal in the top 15 of all talent agencies. Facing an ever-changing entertainment landscape, KMR remains committed to the fulfillment of the ambitions and dreams of its clients with passion, integrity, and personalized attention.
Buchwald
Buchwald was launched by Don Buchwald and five associates in 1977. Today, with offices in New York and Los Angeles, they are an industry leader in talent representation. Buchwald offers representation in every area of the entertainment industry: commercial, broadcast, film, theatre, television, literary, feature film packaging, personal appearance, syndication (radio, television, and digital), branding/digital, and emerging talent.
Innovative Artists
Innovative Artists has established a distinctive niche in the agency representation landscape by providing incomparable, personalized service that prioritizes the interest of its clients first and foremost. Over nearly four decades, they have gained a singular reputation for superior service by placing the strong relationship between agents and clients at the core of its model.
Gersh Agency
With offices in Beverly Hills and New York, Gersh maintains twelve full-service departments: talent, literary, film finance, books, comedy, theater, production, alternative, digital, branding, commercial production, and commercial endorsements. The agency’s roster of clients includes award-winning actors, writers, producers, directors, and production talent in film, television, new media, branded content, and stage. For over seven decades, Gersh has remained one of the most recognizable names in the entertainment industry.
WME
The William Morris Agency was a Hollywood-based talent agency. It represented some of the best-known 20th-century entertainers in film, television, and music. During its 109-year tenure, it came to be regarded as the "first great talent agency in show business". In 2009, William Morris Agency merged with Endeavor to become one of the leading entertainment and media companies with an unparalleled list of artists and content creators. Stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Al Jolson, the Marx Brothers, and Mae West were all represented by the company.
Paradigm Talent Agency
Paradigm Talent Agency provides global representation to a diverse and dynamic roster of artists and content creators working across television, live music, motion pictures, theatre, digital, book publishing, content finance, and brand partnerships. While known for discovering and developing culturally significant artists, it's their 30-year track record of cultivating lucrative and creatively fulfilling careers for the artists they represent that sets their agency apart.
A3 Artists Agency (recently closed)
A3 formerly known as Abraham Artists Agency has for more than 40 years earned a reputation and garnered access to all the major players in the industry. With a new approach, they work with clients across all departments to maximize their brands, exposure, and income from all possible sources. While working with actors from all age groups, they have been especially good at helping child actors, turning them into some of the biggest child/teen stars on the planet.
Osbrink Agency
Osbrink Agency specializes in young performers trying to break into the business. In the past two decades, their theatrical department has become known as a powerhouse, developing many of the most notable young faces in TV and film. It upholds its stellar reputation year after year, booking clients regularly during the ultra-competitive pilot season and consistently placing leads in the most sought-after films.
UTA
United Talent Agency is a global talent agency based in Beverly Hills, California. Established in 1991, it represents artists and other professionals across the entertainment industry. Their clients are some of the most acclaimed figures in film, television, news, music, sports, theater, fine art, books, video games, podcasts, and other social and digital content.
