United Talent Agency (UTA) is a globaltalent agency based inBeverly Hills, California. Established in 1991, it represents artists and other professionals across theentertainment industry. As of 2024[update], the company has approximately 2,200 employees. UTA has divisions focused on film, television, music, sports, creators, books, video games, branding and licensing, speaking, marketing, news, and broadcasting, among others. The agency also operates the non-profit UTA Foundation.
UTA, established in 1991, is a private company representing talent in a variety of industries, includingfilm,television, creators, publishing, music, and sports.[2][3][4] It is one of the largest such agencies in the world, with approximately 300 agents representing actors, directors, producers, recording artists, writers, and other professionals.[5] Its services also includebrand management,film financing andpackaging,licensing, marketing,strategic management, andventure capital financing for companies.[6] In addition to Beverly Hills, UTA has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, London,Malmö, Miami, Nashville, and New York.[7] UTA has approximately 2,200 employees.[8]
United Talent Agency was established in 1991 through the merger of the Bauer-Benedek Agency and Leading Artists Agency.[15]Jim Berkus,Jeremy Zimmer,[16][17] and Peter Benedek are UTA's co-founders.[18][19]
UTA had 10 partners and 40 agents by mid-1994.[20] The company began compiling a weekly list of mostly entry-level employment opportunities across the entertainment industry, which was described by theLos Angeles Times in 2001 as "among the most coveted documents in wannabe Hollywood".[21][22] In mid 1996, the company had expanded to 45 agents and was described in the media as one of Hollywood's "big four" agencies.[23]
By the early 2000s, the agency had become known for its roster of comedians includingJim Carrey,Dave Chappelle,Will Ferrell, andBen Stiller, along with writers for popular comedy television programs.[24] UTA was also known for its television talent, representing clients such asDavid Chase andDick Wolf. In 2006, theLos Angeles Times described UTA as a "tastemaker" agency, noting clients such asDon Cheadle,Johnny Depp, andM. Night Shyamalan.[25] The agency established "UTA U" in 2008 to provide skills training to interns by partners and other executives. The program also includes a community service component.[26] UTA was inducted intoVanity Fair's "New Establishment Hall of Fame" in 2010.[27][28]
In 2011, UTA relocated its headquarters to a Civic Center Drive complex, which was renamed UTA Plaza.[29] The company acquiredN.S. Bienstock, one of the largest agencies for television news talent in the United States, in January 2014.[30][31] N.S. Bienstock represented more than 600 television news anchors, reporters, and producers.[30][32][31] Richard Leibner and Carole Cooper continued in their roles as co-presidents of N.S. Bienstock.[30][33] The merger made UTA the largest company representing television news talent.[30] In 2017, UTA did not renew O'Reilly's contract due to allegations ofsexual harassment.[34][35] The venture was rebranded UTA News & Broadcast in 2017.[36]
In 2015, UTA hired a dozen agents fromCreative Artists Agency in what was widely characterized in the media as a "midnight raid".[39][40] Creative Artists Agency filed a lawsuit in response.[41][42][43] Also in that year, the company took a minority investment fromJeffrey W. Ubben, founder and CEO ofValueAct Capital, who became a non-voting UTA board member.[40] ValueAct also was invested in21st Century Fox,Adobe Systems,CB Richard Ellis, andMicrosoft at the time.[32] UTA acquired The Agency Group (TAG), the world's largestindependent music agency, in August 2015. TAG had approximately 95 agents working in cities including London, Los Angeles, and New York,[32] and brought around 2,000 artists into UTA's client portfolio,[44][45] includingMuse,Paramore andThe Black Keys.[32] UTA expanded its New York City offices in 2016.[46][47]
In March 2017, UTA acquired anequity stake in theinvestment banking firm AGM Partners to give the agency and its clients guidance on investments in the media and entertainment sector.[53][54] UTA acquiredGreater Talent Network (GTN), which focuses on public speaking engagements, in September 2017.[53][55] Don Epstein, GTN's founder and CEO was named a partner at UTA.[55] GTN continued to operate from its offices in Florida and New York City.[53]
The New York Observer named UTA one of "Hollywood's 7 Most Powerful Talent Agencies" in November 2017.[56] In December, the agency also hostedAnita Hill at its offices during the early days of theMe Too movement,[57] and provided support to the industry's Commission on Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality in the Workplace, which Hill went on to lead.[58] UTA became a founding donor ofTime's Up in early 2018, committing $1 million to the organization againstsexual harassment in the workplace in response to theWeinstein effect and Me Too movement.[59][60] UTA acquired Circle Talent Agency, which focuses ondance and electronic music, in April 2018.[61] In November 2020 UTA signed improv artistKitboga, a leading content creator in thescambaiting space.[62]
In 2019, UTA partnered with NBA agentRich Paul to start a Sports division putting it in direct competition withCreative Artists Agency andWilliam Morris Endeavor,[63] Paul expanded UTA's sports clients from 4 to 23 and in 2020 joined the company's board of directors.[64][65][63] In 2019 he was named "Power Broker of the Year" byGQ magazine.[66]
In 2021, UTA continued its growth and diversification by acquiring strategic advisory firm MediaLink,[68] launching anNFT practice,[69] announcing a $200-millionSpecial purpose acquisition company, IPO[70] and opened a full-service office in Atlanta.[71]
In June 2022, UTA acquired UK-based literary and talent agencyCurtis Brown.[72]
In June 2023, UTA acquired New York-based executive search and consulting firm James & Co.[73]
In November 2023,Susan Sarandon was dropped by the agency for her controversial remarks at a rally stating "There are a lot of people afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence."[74]
In January 2024, sevenCalArts alumni withdrew from an exhibition at UTA Artist Space saying that the venue would not allow them to add pro-Palestine messages to their artist statements.[75] The same year, the Fine Arts division activities were suspended.[76]
In 2024, UTA acquired the creative, marketing, and research agency JUV Consulting,[77] as well as theassociation football agency Representatives of Outstanding Footballers (ROOF), which had approximately 150 clients in theBundesliga,La Liga,Ligue 1,Premier League, andSerie A at the time.[78]
UTA signed businesswoman and social media influencerBecca Bloom in April 2025.[79] In June 2025, UTA droppedBob Vylan as a client following anti-IDF chants at theGlastonbury Festival 2025 that were criticized by British politicians and other pro-Israel advocates as antisemitic.[80]
^Hoffman, Claire (March 13, 2006). "Talent Firms May Merge to Keep Pace; Agencies are selling to fewer, bigger buyers. Personal ties may set matches in motion".Los Angeles Times.
