CAA - Creative Artists Agency

Creative Artists Agency was founded in 1975 by five young agents who left the William Morris Agency: Michael Ovitz, Ron Meyer, Bill Haber, Rowland Perkins, and Michael Rosenfeld. Under Michael Ovitz's leadership through the 1980s and 1990s, CAA pioneered the packaging model and became the most feared and respected agency in entertainment. Ovitz's departure in 1995 was a landmark moment, but the agency continued to thrive. Key milestones include their move into the iconic I.M. Pei-designed building in Century City, their expansion into sports and brand consulting, and their 2022 acquisition of ICM Partners.

Today, CAA is widely considered the most powerful talent agency in Hollywood, operating from Century City with additional offices in New York, London, Nashville, Beijing, and other global markets. The agency represents an extraordinary breadth of talent across film, television, music, sports, theater, digital media, and brand consulting. CAA's 2022 absorption of ICM Partners further expanded their massive roster. CAA is not just a talent agency but a cultural institution that shapes the entertainment industry's direction.

CAA is extremely selective in its client intake, generally signing actors who already have substantial credits or significant buzz. Referrals from managers, entertainment attorneys, or existing CAA clients are virtually required. CAA scouts talent aggressively at major film festivals including Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, Cannes, and SXSW. Having a respected manager who maintains relationships with CAA agents is the single most effective pathway to getting signed.

CAA operates through departments including Motion Pictures, Television, Music, Sports, Theater, Digital Media, Comedy, and brand consulting arm CAA-GBG. The agency's packaging model involves attaching multiple CAA-represented elements to a project. Their television department is particularly powerful, with CAA-packaged shows appearing across every major network and streaming platform. The agency also has a significant books-to-film pipeline. CAA's client management philosophy centers on the concept of the team, where multiple agents across departments work collaboratively. A major CAA client may have a motion picture agent, television agent, brand partnerships agent, and digital strategy agent all working in concert. CAA's global offices facilitate international co-productions and global brand partnerships. The agency's institutional knowledge means they have relationships with virtually every buyer in the industry.

CAA represents actors across the full spectrum, though their roster is heavily weighted toward established, high-profile talent. The agency's clients include Oscar, Emmy, and Tony winners, franchise leads, and international stars. CAA requires SAG-AFTRA membership for US-based acting clients. While the agency occasionally signs promising newcomers, these tend to be actors with significant buzz through a breakout performance or prestigious theater work. CAA's client roster reads like a who's who of Hollywood. The agency has represented actors who have headlined the highest-grossing films of all time and starred in the most critically acclaimed streaming series. The absorption of ICM Partners in 2022 brought additional high-profile talent into the fold. Many of the most significant actor deals in recent memory have been negotiated by CAA agents.

CAA operates on the standard industry commission of 10% for theatrical work. Commercial and brand partnership commissions may vary. The agency is SAG-AFTRA franchised and strictly adheres to union guidelines. There are no upfront fees. Contract terms are typically one to three years with standard performance provisions. For actors with career momentum to attract CAA's interest, representation here offers unparalleled access and deal-making power. However, actors should understand that CAA represents a very large number of actors, and internal competition for opportunities and agent attention is real. The value proposition is strongest for actors already generating significant income who need an agency that can maximize their earning potential.

CAA is ideal for actors who have achieved significant career milestones and are ready for the highest level of representation. Actors who thrive at CAA tend to be business-savvy professionals who understand the industry landscape. Having strong management in place before approaching CAA is virtually essential. Actors still building their foundation or working primarily in co-star roles should not target CAA yet. If you need an agent who personally knows your work inside and out, a boutique agency will serve you better. Actors focused primarily on commercial, voiceover, or theater work without significant film and television credits will find CAA less relevant.

Breaking into CAA requires patience and strategic career building. Have a respected manager or entertainment attorney make an introduction when your career has sufficient momentum. Performing in a film at a major festival, booking a breakout television role, or generating significant critical acclaim are catalysts. Building relationships with CAA-represented writers and directors is an effective long-term strategy. For most actors, CAA represents the pinnacle of their agency journey, not the starting point. A typical path involves years of training, building credits through independent film and television, signing with a boutique or mid-tier agency, securing experienced management, and then transitioning to CAA during a breakout moment. Think of CAA as the destination that validates years of hard work.