Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel recounts his own rise to the top in new memoir

NPR · 2:32

2,308 views · 111 likes · Sep 23, 2026

“Are you happy?”

Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel says agents often pose that question to actors, directors and writers. And people rarely say “Yes” — putting them on the road to a new agent.

Emanuel’s memoir, “Roll the Calls,” recounts his own rise to the top of the agency William Morris Endeavor, offering biting descriptions of other Hollywood figures and speaking candidly about Emanuel’s frequent …

“Are you happy?”

Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel says agents often pose that question to actors, directors and writers. And people rarely say “Yes” — putting them on the road to a new agent.

Emanuel’s memoir, “Roll the Calls,” recounts his own rise to the top of the agency William Morris Endeavor, offering biting descriptions of other Hollywood figures and speaking candidly about Emanuel’s frequent …

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