Notes from the Rep Biz - 07-31-2020

At CAA:
 
Prior to this past week, CAA had been fairly quiet regarding its response to the pandemic. Then they announced the layoffs and furloughs of over 350 employees. The reported damage comes to approximately 275 support staff and 90 agents and executives that will be shown the door. We've heard about specific agents being let go from the talent and lit side of the agency — such as Josh Rahm, Shelsea Jacobs, and veteran theater lit agent Chris Till — but  the hardest hit departments are likely to be live touring and sports. Any way you cut it, this is a bloodbath.
 
All the same, the beat goes on. New signings for CAA include models Dilone and Elsa Hosk, entrepreneur Hannah Bronfman and filmmakers Tony Cervone (Scoob) and Ben Sharrock (indie Limbo).
 
As far as actors, CAA welcomes Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding and 13 Reasons Why actor Tommy Dorfman.
 
At UTA:
 
UTA has inked social media phenoms Payton Moormeier and Flight, as well as rising young actresses Iman Benson (#BlackAF) and Alexa Mansour (The Walking Dead: World Beyond).
 
The agency also now represents Hollywood mainstay Dennis Quaid, as well as multi-hyphenate comedian Iliza Shlesinger.
 
At WME:
 
WME — which has had its own public struggles during the pandemic — is now the agency for poet/performer Caroline Randall Williams and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement Opal Tometi.
 
WME had also signed signer/songwriter Andy Grammar (who was previously with CAA), character actor Tony Revolori, and hot producing team Jamie Dolan and Adam Faze (aka Must B Nice productions).
 
At APA:
 
APA, an early signatory to the WGA Code of Conduct, continues to sign veteran TV writer/producers. The latest round includes Evan Reilly (Ballers), Zachary Reiter (Fox's Next) and Lee Shipman (AMC's The Son).
 
Other APA signings include actress Annie Ilonzeh (Chicago Fire), actor Maurice Compte (Narcos) and journalist Michael Harriot (The Root).
 
Elsewhere around town:
 
Gersh has signed past Golden Globe nominee and veteran of the NCIS franchise Maria Bello.
 
Paradigm has signed actor and face on the Mt. Rushmore of insurance commercials Dennis Haysbert.
 
Julian Bass, the college-aged TikTok sensation whose VFX videos have garnered major industry attention, has signed with ICM Partners.
 
Talitha Watkins, formerly of CAA, has joined Issa Rae's ColorCreative banner to launch the company's new management division.
 
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Variety