Superagent Ari Emanuel: Born to fight
Hollywood dealmaker Ari Emanuel is telling his life story in a raw, raunchy and rollicking new memoir, "Roll the Calls." He talks with Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz about his rise from the agency mail room to becoming executive chairman of WGE Group and executive chair and CEO of TKO. He also talks about growing up a bullied, dyslexic kid in the suburbs of Chicago; becoming the…
Ari Emanuel, a renowned Hollywood superagent and chairman of WME Group and TKO, which owns UFC and WWE, began his career in the mailroom, delivering scripts to various industry professionals. Despite the tedious nature of the job, Emanuel persevered, driven by a competitive spirit instilled in him from a young age by his parents, who were both civil rights activists and a doctor.
Emanuel's siblings, including his brothers Rahm and Zeke, further fueled his drive for success. Emanuel's book, "Roll the Calls," recounts his journey, revealing his penchant for confrontation and his ability to defend himself and those he cares about. He views confrontation as a means of protecting himself and others, and he is not afraid to engage in battles when necessary.
Emanuel's success in the entertainment industry stems from his ability to bring dreams to life, negotiating fees, securing scripts, raising money, and ensuring marketing efforts. Despite the challenges, Emanuel remains optimistic about the future of show business, believing that adaptability and innovation will lead to more movies and television content.
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