The Gersh Agency
Company typePrivate
IndustryTalent and Literary Agencies
FoundedBeverly Hills, California, U.S.(1949)
HeadquartersBeverly Hills, California
New York City, New York
Key people
Bob Gersh, David Gersh and Leslie Siebert: Co-presidents[1]
Number of employees
about 300[1]

The Gersh Agency (also known as simply Gersh) is a talent and literary agency established in 1949 by Phil Gersh,[2] based in Beverly Hills, California and New York City, and co-owned by Crestview Partners. The Gersh Agency is the fourth largest talent agency in the United States.[3]

History

Gersh was founded in Beverly Hills in 1949 by Phil Gersh. He was considered one of the last links between Hollywood's Golden Age and today's corporate-owned movie business,[4] and his clients included Humphrey Bogart, David Niven, and Richard Burton.[5] In 1965, Phil Gersh was able to pay for the agency's Beverly Hills office from the proceeds of having one of his clients, Robert Wise, direct The Sound of Music.[6]

Phil Gersh gradually handed over responsibility to his two sons but continued to play a role in the company's management until 10 weeks before his death in 2004.[4] Richard Arlook was working at the agency from 1990 until 2008.[4][7]

In 2010, Gersh purchased literary agent Hohman, Maybank, Lieb.[8]

In 2016, the Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) sued Gersh, alleging that Gersh had poached an APA agent who had just renewed their contract.[9][10]

On 4 July 2018, Gersh notified actor James Woods by email that they would no longer represent him. Woods accused the agency of liberal political bias due to his outspoken conservative views.[11][12][13]

In 2019, agents Roy Ashton, David Rubin, and Shan Roy came under fire after cancelling a studio meeting of a former client that had left them during the WGA/ATA conflict. In response to the immediate criticism, the agency said it was "just following protocol", which drew further ire within the industry.[14][15]

In 2023, Gersh sold a 45% stake to investment firm Crestview Partners.[16][1] Until this sale, the company had been wholly owned by the Gersh family for nearly 75 years.[17] The agency is currently run by Phil Gersh's sons, Bob and David.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b c Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 1, 2023). "Gersh Agency Sells 45% Stake To Private Equity Firm Crestview Partners; Leslie Siebert Upped To Co-President". Deadline. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  2. ^ Sun, Rebecca (June 4, 2015). "The THR Guide to the 7 Major Hollywood Agencies". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  3. ^ Kroll, Justin (February 17, 2022). "Gersh Ups Lit Agent Eric Garfinkel To Partner Amid Companywide Promotions". Deadline. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c McLellan, Dennis (May 11, 2004). "Phil Gersh, 92; Agent With Old Hollywood Instincts, Art Patron". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  5. ^ Weinraub, Bernard (May 12, 2004). "Phil Gersh, a Leading Agent In Hollywood, Is Dead at 92". The New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  6. ^ Reed, Christopher (July 6, 2004). "Old-school Hollywood agent who represented Humphrey Bogart". The Guardian. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  7. ^ "Meet with Producer and Manager Richard Arlook in Beverly Hills". Charitybuzz. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  8. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 1, 2010). "Update: Gersh Confirms Hohman Maybank Lieb Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  9. ^ Lincoln, Ross A. (September 2, 2016). "APA Sues Gersh & The Agent It Claims Was Poached". Deadline. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  10. ^ IQ (September 8, 2016). "US agencies at war over poaching claims". IQ Magazine. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  11. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (July 5, 2018). "James Woods Says He Was Dropped By 'Liberal' Talent Agent". Variety. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  12. ^ Gaynor, Gerren Keith (July 5, 2018). "James Woods is dropped by 'liberal' talent agent: 'It's the 4th of July and I'm feeling patriotic'". Fox News. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  13. ^ Lynch, John (July 5, 2018). "Conservative actor James Woods says he was dumped by his agent because of his political views". Business Insider. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  14. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (May 21, 2019). "Gersh Agency Stirs Ire After Canceling Network Meeting for Former Client". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  15. ^ Robb, David (May 22, 2019). "Writer-Producer Says Ex-Gersh Agents Apologized For Canceled Network Meeting – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  16. ^ a b Hayden, Erik (May 1, 2023). "Gersh Sells Minority Stake to Private Equity Firm Crestview Partners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  17. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (May 1, 2023). "Gersh Agency Sells Minority Stake to Crestview Partners, Promotes Leslie Siebert to Co-President". Variety. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
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