Ari Emanuel, a prominent Hollywood talent agent and co-founder of the Endeavor agency, has released a memoir, *Roll the Calls*, offering an unvarnished look at his life and career in the entertainment industry. The book explores his rise from a challenging childhood in Chicago to becoming one of the most influential figures in Hollywood, as well as the personal and professional battles he has faced along the way.
Born into a family of civil rights activists, Emanuel was the youngest of three brothers. Despite struggling with ADHD and dyslexia as a child, he overcame his difficulties with reading and eventually entered the talent agency world. Starting as an assistant to Robert Lantz in 1985, Emanuel quickly learned the ropes of the business. His ambition soon led him to break away from established firms and co-found Endeavor in 1995. Endeavor later merged with the century-old William Morris Agency in 2009, helping transform it into the powerhouse now known as WME. Emanuel also heads TKO Group Holdings, which includes sports entertainment giants such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
A key element of Emanuel’s personality, which is frequently discussed in his memoir, is his famously intense temper and aggressive style, which he himself describes as “rage.” This trait has both fueled his business drive and caused friction in Hollywood circles. Emanuel recounts his interactions with industry figures such as Barry Diller, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Irving Azoff with a mix of candor and vindictiveness, often characterizing them with sharp criticism. However, he notably avoids naming Bryan Lourd, his long-time rival and head of the rival agency CAA.
Emanuel’s public profile rose considerably after HBO’s *Entourage* introduced a character, Ari Gold, widely seen as inspired by Emanuel’s own persona. While the portrayal initially unsettled him, Emanuel came to embrace the association, recognizing it boosted his visibility and business clout. His client roster includes high-profile names such as Oprah Winfrey, Dwayne Johnson, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Scorsese. He also represented Donald Trump during his reality television career but ended that professional relationship after the 2016 presidential election.
The memoir delves into Emanuel’s demanding daily routine, including a rigorous fitness regimen that begins at 4 a.m. and culminates in what he describes as “live worm” consumption intended to improve gut health. He also shares personal reflections on his family life, including his marriages and children, though the book focuses primarily on his professional journey and industry rivalries.
While Emanuel portrays rage and relentless ambition as essential forces behind his success, some critics note that the memoir reflects a coarseness and vindictiveness that mirror the high-pressure, often confrontational environment of Hollywood’s talent agencies. The book captures a Hollywood era before the upheaval brought by streaming services and social media influencers, while Emanuel expresses confidence in his investments in live sports and entertainment’s ongoing profitability.
Through *Roll the Calls*, Emanuel offers a candid, sometimes abrasive insider’s perspective on the business of talent representation and the personal costs of pursuing influence and power in the entertainment world.