Hollywood Breakdown
Major Talent Agency Shake-up as 10 CAA Agents Move to UTA
The heads of CAA's comedy division, along with several other agents, have suddenly left Creative Artists Agency for rival United Talent Agency, taking with them big-name clients like Will Ferrell, Chris Pratt and Melissa McCarthy.
By Kim Masters • • 3m ListenThe Hollywood talent agency known as the "Death Star" suffered an unwelcome surprise this week when a handful of CAA's most powerful agents jumped ship and landed at rival agency UTA. Ten agents have left, and there may be more to come. Included in the move are agents Jason Heyman and Martin Lesak, who ran CAA's comedy division, and take with them clients like Will Ferrell, Chris Pratt, Melissa McCarthy and Ed Helms. Insiders speculate that the move came down to money and agents hoping they could get more of it, along with additional opportunities at UTA. Major agent moves like this are rare within the industry and could be the onset of a protracted legal battle.
