The Gersh Agency
The Gersh Agency (also known as simply Gersh) is a talent and literary agency established in 1949 by Phil Gersh, based in Beverly Hills, California and New York City, and co-owned by Crestview Partners. The Gersh Agency is the fourth largest talent agency in the United States.

History
Gersh was founded in Beverly Hills in 1949 by Phil Gersh. He was considered one of the last links between Hollywood's Golden Age and today's corporate-owned movie business, and his clients included Humphrey Bogart, David Niven, and Richard Burton. In 1965, Phil Gersh was able to pay for the agency's Beverly Hills office from the proceeds of having one of his clients, Robert Wise, direct The Sound of Music.

Phil Gersh gradually handed over responsibility to his two sons but continued to play a role in the company's management until 10 weeks before his death in 2004. Richard Arlook was working at the agency from 1990 until 2008.

In 2010, Gersh purchased literary agent Hohman, Maybank, Lieb.

In 2016, the Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) sued Gersh, alleging that Gersh had poached an APA agent who had just renewed their contract.

On 4 July 2018, Gersh notified actor James Woods by email that they would no longer represent him. Woods accused the agency of liberal political bias due to his outspoken conservative views.

In 2019, agents Roy Ashton, David Rubin, and Shan Roy came under fire after cancelling a studio meeting of a former client that had left them during the WGA/ATA conflict. In response to the immediate criticism, the agency said it was "just following protocol", which drew further ire within the industry.

In 2023, Gersh sold a 45% stake to investment firm Crestview Partners. Until this sale, the company had been wholly owned by the Gersh family for nearly 75 years. The agency is currently run by Phil Gersh's sons, Bob and David.

References

Companies based in Beverly Hills, California
Business services companies established in 1949
Talent and literary agencies
Privately held companies of the United States
1949 establishments in California
Family-owned companies of the United States