Gawker: defamer, agency shuffle

Johnny Depp Latest to Agency-Hop as Tracey Jacobs Heads to Endeavor

STV — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:15:00 EDT

Word over the Defamer transom this morning suggests yet another high-profile agency move, with UTA partner Tracey Jacobs reportedly packing her bags (and clients including Johnny Depp) for the greener pastures of Endeavor. Jacobs' departure would follow that of her colleagues Nick Stevens, Sharon Sheinwold and Lisa Hallerman earlier this month, further driving rumors of a UTA merger or sell-off as the talent division melts down.

Jacobs joined UTA in 1998, bringing along Depp, Joan Cusack, Vincent D'Onofrio and filmmakers Lasse Hallstrom and Mark Pellington from her previous perch at ICM. Those names will join her at Endeavor, which bulked up considerably this month with Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller (the latter leading Stevens' "comedy wheel" exodus) signing on across Wilshire Boulevard. No comment yet from Jacobs or leadership at either agency, though we presume UTA boss Jim Berkus should have an anonymous Craigslist post offering surplus office furniture online by the end of the day. Let us know if you spot it.

UPDATE: Looks like Tracey Jacobs is staying put ... for now.

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

Robert De Niro shuffled through Endeavor's...

STV — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:05:00 EDT

Robert De Niro shuffled through Endeavor's busy revolving door Wednesday in the agency's third high-profile move of the week, marking the end of the Oscar-winner's long tenure at CAA. The addition comes days after Ashton Kutcher fled Endeavor for the confines of CAA, and nearly a week after the seismic defection of comedy power broker Nick Stevens and two partners from UTA. As Variety's Michael Fleming notes, De Niro "hit his payday stride" with his $18 million turn in Meet the Fockers; the move sets him up for continued forays into safe, tightly packaged middlebrow humor franchises that will secure his legacy as a shell of the standard-bearing American legend we grew up with. Bon voyage, Bob. [Variety]

Endeavor Gets Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher

Paula Dixon — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:15:00 EDT

It's a story as old as Hollywood itself: An attractive actor who's done everything he can to get himself into the spotlight just can't get the roles he wants. Is it because his acting isn't quite up to par? Of course not... It's because his agent sucks!

Everyone's favorite actor/producer/restaurateur Ashton Kutcher has announced he is leaving Endeavor, the agency he's been with for a decade, and for the cozier confines of the CAA Death Star. Known for their ability to revive careers, CAA may have an uphill battle with an actor whose only successful role was also his first (as lovable dimwit Michael Kelso on That '70s Show).

Luckily for the agency, they stand to take a percentage of the TV shows Kutcher will develop as a producer with his company Katalyst (which have so far included some surprisingly good series, like Punk'd, Beauty and the Geek, Miss Guided and Pop Fiction). Unfortunately, his new agents at CAA will not get a cut from the ridonkulously popular clubs and restaurants Ashton holds a stake in with the Dolce Group. Nor will they get to have sex with Demi Moore.

Ashton Kutcher Signs With CAA [Variety]