Acting Agencies 2024: The Top Ones to Target

By the end of this article, you'll know the best (and most trustworthy) acting agencies to go after, plus specific, actionable steps to get them interested in representing you.

No fluff in this guide, just real, actionable advice. Ready to get started?


BONUS: Get the contact info of over 140 agencies across the world.

Acting Agencies

So what does an acting agency do?

• Submit you to productions you're right for through a website called Breakdown Services.
• Pitch you directly to their casting director contacts with the hopes that you'll be able to bypass the submissions process altogether and get invited to the audition room.
• Negotiate salaries and contracts on your behalf so you can spend more time focused on your craft
• Offer guidance and suggestions such as where to get training or new marketing materials (like actor headshots, resumes, etc.)

A great agent will get on the phone when it matters most and push a casting director to hire you.

A great agent can generate up to 5-6 high-level auditions per week during the busiest months of the year, and they can get you into productions that can be career-altering – all without you having to do too much (so you can spend your time doing what you love most: acting).

Through their relationships and access to the Breakdown Services website, they can submit you to auditions you'd normally never have access to.


Note: Want to get more auditions without an agent? Check out my guide How to Find Auditions Without an Agent.

Quick Note: Large vs. Small Acting Agencies

As you read through the acting agencies in this guide, keep in mind that I'll be covering both large and small agencies. So which agency is best for actors? Well neither is technically "better" or "worse" than the other, but the larger agents usually have better connections and can get their clients into roles for major productions more easily.

The downside, however, is that large agencies don't often sign newer actors and they also don't provide as much personalized attention as a small, "boutique" agency. If you've never had an agent before or are still relatively new to acting, you should target a small agent first, and then look for a larger agent a few years from now when you have more credits to your name.

Related: Get the contact info of over 140 agencies across the world.

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Note that if you're looking for a lot of personalized attention and career guidance, you might consider a manager instead of an agent: Agent vs. Manager: What's the Difference?​

Now, without further ado, let's dive right into the top 15 most recommended acting agencies (in no particular order)!

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Highly Recommended Acting Agencies

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Avalon Artists Group

• Size: Medium
• Status: Actively seeking new talent – this agency frequently runs workshops in NYC for actors to get feedback on their portfolios and monologues, and has an open submissions page on their website.
• Specialities – Offers film and television, but specializes in New York theatrical.
• Who They Represent – They represent numerous actors in productions such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, How to Get Away With Murder, Be More Chill, Hamilton, and Come from Away.
• Locations – Represents actors throughout the United States, with offices in both NYC and LA.

My Take: If you're looking for work in theater (especially on Broadway), this agency is a great place to start. That said however, they are more likely to work with actors who have a lot of experience and credits under their belt already!

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​​Buchwald

• Size: Large
• Status: Not openly accepting submissions – this agency typically signs actors by referral only (meaning you need someone who knows them to connect you directly with one of their agents).
• Specialities – Film, television, theatrical, commercial, and voiceover.
• Who They Represent – Some name actors they represent (or represented) include Howard Stern, Angela Lansbury of Murder, She Wrote, Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad, and Robert Forster of Jackie Brown.
• Locations – Represents actors throughout the United States, with offices in both NYC and LA.

My Take: This agency has major name recognition, meaning casting directors will take you very seriously if you're represented by them. They typically work with more established actors, so if you haven't got a lot of credits yet or have never had an agent before, I recommend focusing on smaller agencies first (especially since they only consider actors with referrals).

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Carson Kolker Organization

• Size: Medium
• Status: Actively seeking new talent – this agency is always looking for new actors, especially kids and teens whose type is not already represented in their roster.
• Specialities – Film, television, and theatrical.
• Who They Represent – Some name actors they represent (or represented) include Camila Mendes from Riverdale,  Ja’Siah Young from Raising Dion, Ayla Schwartz from Frozen (on Broadway), and Jawan M. Jackson from Ain’t Too Proud (on Broadway).
• Locations – Primarily represents actors in New York and Los Angeles, with offices in each city.

My Take: This is one of the best acting agencies for teens – a medium-sized agency that's always looking for new talent. It's a fantastic place to start your agent search if you're young and haven't got a lot of credits to your name yet. They also represent adults.

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The Gersh Agency

• ​​Size: Large
• Status: Not openly accepting submissions – this agency typically signs actors by referral only.
• Specialities – Film, television, and theatrical.
• Who They Represent – Some name actors they represent (or represented) include Tobey Maguire from Spiderman, Hayden Christensen from Star Wars, Adam Driver from Marriage Story, Caitlin McGee from Bluff City Law, Victoria Pedretti from The Haunting of Hill House, Harris Dickson from Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and Natalie Paul from The Sinner. It also represents actors from Broadway shows such as Hamilton, Big Fish, and Pippin.
• Locations – Represents actors throughout the United States, with offices in both NYC and LA.

My Take: Gersh is a highly sought-after agency for up-and-coming actors because it has helped many new actors land breakout roles for their careers. However, it is quite exclusive, so you'll need a referral from someone already represented by a Gersh agent to be considered. This should not be your first-choice agency if you've never been represented before (but it could definitely be your second or third agency)!
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​Innovative Artists

• Size: Medium
• Status: Not openly accepting submissions – this agency typically signs actors by referral only.
• Specialities – Film, television, theatrical, commercial, digital media, and voiceover.
• Who They Represent – Some name actors they represent (or represented) include Linda Hamilton of Terminator: Dark Fate, Colin Ford of Captain Marvel, Lupita Nyong’o of 12 Years a Slave, Rachel Brosnahan of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Conor Leslie of Titans, Andi Matichak of Halloween, and Gabriel Mann, of Revenge.
• Locations – Represents actors throughout the United States, with offices in both NYC and LA.

My Take: Innovative Artists looks for actors both big and small, so if you've got your marketing materials together and are ready for an agent, consider working with them! They typically prefer actors with high-quality demo reels and at least a few credits to their name. They are very selective about who they bring on however, and because you need a referral you'll have to ask around and see if anyone you know can connect you directly to one of their agents.

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Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates

• Size: Medium
• Status: Actively seeking new talent – this agency always has feelers out for new actors and has contact info for submissions listed on their website, although they typically prefer to work with actors who are referred.
• Specialities – They specialize in theater, but also represent talent in film, television, commercials, and voice-overs. They also have a division specializing in working with actors with disabilities.
• Who They Represent – Some name actors they represent (or represented) include Javier Muñoz of Hamilton, Joanna Adler of American Crime Story, Joy Osmanski of Stargirl, and Caleb Foote of The Kids Are Alright.
• Locations – Primarily represents actors in New York and Los Angeles, with offices in each city.

My Take: Although they prefer actors who have referrals, they do have an open submissions policy on their website. If you're interested in pursuing theater, I highly recommend considering this agency even if you haven't had representation before, as they are one of the few agencies that do not push their talent towards screen acting.

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Stewart Talent

• Size: Large
• Status: Not openly accepting submissions – this acting agency typically signs actors by referral only.
• Specialities – They specialize in theater, but also represent talent in film, television, commercial, and voiceover.
• Who They Represent – Some name actors they represent (or represented) include Saycon Sengbloh from Respect, Brian McCaskill from Southern Gothic, Rondi Reed from August: Osage County, Carol Kane from The Dead Don’t Die, Betty Buckley from Hello, Dolly!, Yadira Guevara-Prip from See, and Happy Anderson from The Tick.
• Locations – Represents actors throughout the United States, with offices in NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, and LA.

My Take: This a fantastic agency for up-and-coming actors who have been represented by another agent at least once. If you can get a referral and connection to them, they are likely to do a lot to boost your acting career, so I absolutely recommend considering them.

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Boals, Winnett, and Associates

• Size: Small
• Status: Actively seeking new talent – this agency specializes in working with new actors and has an open submissions policy on their website.
• Specialities – Film, television, and theatrical.
• Who They Represent – Actors they represent have landed roles in A Star is Born, House of Cards, The Irishman, Wicked, Dear Evan Hansen, and Angels in America.
• Locations – Represents actors primarily based in New York.

My Take: This is a fantastic agency to start with if you're based in New York – your submission will be considered closely, even if you're still relatively new and don't have many credits yet.

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SW-Artists

• Size: Small
• Status: Actively seeking new talent – this agency always has feelers out for new actors and offers an open submissions policy on their website.
• Specialities – Film, television, theatrical, commercial, digital media, and voiceover.
• Who They Represent – SW-Artists' clients have worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional and international theatre, episodic television, independent and feature films, on camera commercials, voiceovers, print, and hosting engagements.
• Locations – Represents actors primarily based in New York.

My Take: I personally know agents Valerie Adami and Margaret Emory of SW-Artists. In fact, I've done an in-depth interview with Margaret Emory on how actors can land representation. SW-Artists is one of the best acting agencies I've come across for up-and-coming actors – they will do a LOT for your acting career and I can't recommend them enough!

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Paradigm Talent

• Size: Large
• Status: Actively seeking referred talent – this agency prefers to work with actors who are referred and does not accept unsolicited submissions.
• Specialities – Film, television, live music, theatrical, commercial, digital media, and voiceover.
• Who They Represent – Some name actors they represent (or represented) include Page Kennedy from The Meg, Jacob Batalon from Spider-Man: Far From Home, Austin Crute from Daybreak, Olivia Holt from Cloak & Dagger, Emily Hampshire from Schitt’s Creek, Jason Ralph, from The Magicians, and Rachel Bay Jones, from Dear Evan Hanson.
• Locations – Represents actors and musicians throughout the entire world, with offices in NYC, LA, and London.

My Take: Their specialty is music but they work with TONS of actors too. The best way to get represented by Paradigm is through a referral, and for a large agency it's not as inaccessible as others such as WME or CAA (both of which I'll be covering in a moment).

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Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

• Size: Large
• Status: Not openly accepting submissions – this agency signs actors by referral only, and it is one of the largest and most prestigious agencies in the world!
• Specialities – Film, television, theatre, commercial, music, sports, digital media, marketing, and more.
• Who They Represent – Some name actors they represent (or represented) include Jeremy Renner, Melissa McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers, Emma Watson, Cate Blanchett, and Julia Roberts.
• Locations – Represents actors throughout the world, with offices all across the US, Europe, and Asia.

My Take: CAA does not accept outside submissions and primarily represents extremely well-known actors, so I recommend only pursuing them once you have worked with at least 2-3 smaller agencies on this list first and built up your resume and reel significantly.

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​​​William Morris Endeavor (WME)

• Size: Large
• Status: Not openly accepting submissions – this agency signs actors by referral only, and it is one of the largest and most prestigious agencies in the world!
• Specialities – Film, television, theatre, commercial, music, sports, digital media, marketing, and more.
• Who They Represent – Some name actors they represent (or represented) include Ben Affleck, Jessica Alba, Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale, Matt Damon, Jennifer Garner, and Whoopi Goldberg.
• Locations – Represents actors throughout the world, with offices all across the US, Europe, and Asia.

My Take: WME does not accept outside submissions and primarily represents extremely well-known actors, so I recommend only pursuing them once you have worked with at least 2-3 smaller agencies on this list first and built up your resume and reel significantly.

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United Talent Agency

• Size: Large
• Status: Not openly accepting submissions – this agency signs actors by referral only, and it is one of the largest and most prestigious agencies in the world!
• Specialities – Film, television, theatre, commercial, music, sports, digital media, marketing, and more.
• Who They Represent – Some name actors they represent (or represented) include Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Susan Sarandon, Harrison Ford, Owen Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Channing Tatum.
• Locations – Represents actors throughout the world, with offices all across the US and in London.

My Take: UTA does not accept outside submissions and primarily represents extremely well-known actors, so I recommend only pursuing them once you have worked with at least 2-3 smaller agencies on this list first and built up your resume and reel significantly.

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ICM Partners

• Size: Large
• Status: Not openly accepting submissions – this agency typically signs actors by referral only, and it is one of the largest and most prestigious agencies in the world!
• Specialities – Film, television, theatre, commercial, music, sports, digital media, marketing, and more.
• Who They Represent – Some name actors they represent (or represented) include Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer, Robert Duvall, Al Pacino, William Hurt, Susan Sarandon, and Christopher Walken.
• Locations – Represents actors throughout the world, with offices all across the US and in London.

My Take: ICM Partners does not accept outside submissions and primarily represents extremely well-known actors, so I recommend only pursuing them once you have worked with at least 2-3 smaller agencies on this list first and built up your resume and reel significantly.

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​How to Get an Agent, Step by Step

To get an agent, here's a brief breakdown of the steps you'll need to take:

• Step 1: Get Your Marketing Materials Together – ​​The first step is to make sure you have an excellent, high-quality acting headshot that fits within your Type. Next, you need to ensure your resume is formatted properly and up to date. Finally, your reel needs to have fantastic acting.
• ​Step 2: Avoid Scam Artists and Unsuccessful Agents – To avoid scam artists and agents who won't submit you often, do not sign with agents who require you to pay up front, pressure you to sign a contract without allowing you to take it home for a few days to review, and take more than 15% of your income.
  • Related: Get the contact info of over 140 legit agencies across the world.
• Step 3: Find the Right Agent for You – Agents have different specialities and are connected to different people in the industry based on that specialty. A good commercial agent is going to know tons of people in the commercial world. A good film/TV agent is going to know tons of people in the screen acting industry. A voiceover agent will know lots of people in the voice acting world. You need to be specific because if you sign with the wrong agent, you'll constantly wonder why you're rarely getting auditions!
• Step 4: Begin Submitting – The agency's website will tell you how best to get in touch, so be sure to follow those guidelines (unless you're getting an email introduction from someone directly to a particular agent). If they want you to use an online submissions form, do it. If they want you to email a particular address, do it. Avoid directly emailing an agent if their website says not to because it will annoy them and decrease your chances of getting a meeting.
• Step 5: Interview & Audition for Representation – So, you've been submitting for a while, and an agent emailed you back saying they're interested in setting up a meeting. Congratulations! Be sure to do your homework on the agency and make sure you're completely ready for your meeting, otherwise you'll probably lose their trust right away and never make it past the meeting.

To dive deeper on each of the steps above, read my Step by Step Guide to Getting an Acting Agent.
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Getting a great agent is all about being prepared and doing the hard work necessary to get one. You might get lucky where an agent finds you (instead of you finding them), but that's very rare and shouldn't be counted on.

If you really want an agent, YOU need to be the one who goes out there and submits, and you need to make EVERY submission personalized. If you don't put in the work required, the chance of getting a great agent is always going to be out of reach.

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ARE YOU GETTING AT LEAST 1-2 AUDITIONS PER WEEK?

​Imagine starting to get auditions for real, paid speaking roles in just 5 days... without spending money on headshots, reel footage and never-ending workshops.

Kickstart Your Acting Career shows you how to start getting auditions for real, paid speaking roles so you can build your resume and reel as quickly as possible.

​It's built specifically for actors who don't have connections, experience, credits, or footage yet.

• You can take the course from anywhere in the world and at your own pace, since it's a pre-recorded program.
• You'll receive each video lesson over 5 days, along with action steps to take for each lesson.
• You'll get lifetime access, meaning if you can't watch the videos right away, you can come back anytime you want.

Kickstart Your Acting Career boils everything you need to know down to JUST the 5 exact steps necessary to start getting at least 1-2 auditions per week for legit, paid speaking roles in indie productions, so you can start building your resume as quickly as possible.

Learn More and Sign Up

​​​Martin Bentsen (author of this guide) is an actor marketing coach who uses strategic thinking to help actors book more work. He’s helped over 14,000 actors with their careers and actor headshots since 2009 and his photography studio City Headshots is ranked #1 on Yelp. He’s spoken at NYU, The New England Theater Conference, The Actor’s Green Room, and other venues.
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Want to book more acting work by thinking strategically? Start with his free Actor’s Toolkit to create new opportunities right away, or visit his website at www.martinbentsen.com.

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Some Additional Q&A

​What are the Best Acting Agencies for Beginners?

Unless you're extremely talented, most acting agencies will not want to represent you when you're first starting out. It's much better to use these websites for actors to find auditions quickly. Once you've booked a few jobs and have some credits, you can begin searching for an agent by typing search terms such as "acting agencies nyc for beginners" or "​acting agencies near me" into Google.

​​Do Acting Agencies Cost Money?

Do you have to pay for an acting agent? Yes. No one will work for free, but agents charge a percentage of the revenue they generate for their clients. This means that if you find a job on your own, you won't need to pay your agent – but if they find a job for you, you have to pay them a certain percentage of whatever you earned from it.

​Do talent agencies charge a fee? No. Neither agencies or agents should charge you a flat fee – if they do, run the other way because it's a scam! They are only allowed to take a percentage of the work they generate for you, so their cost will constantly be changing depending on how many jobs they help you book each month.

How much do acting agents cost? The typical percentage they take is 10-12%, but there are some agents who charge as high as 25-30%. In my opinion that's just way too much. I know some actors who have an agent who charges 30% AND a manager who charges 30%, leaving only 60% of revenue for the actor! That's not very good.

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​​​​​​Further Reading:

​If you enjoyed this article (Acting Agencies: The Top 15 to Target), you might be interested in some of these:​
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• How to Get an Acting Agent, Step by Step
• How to Become an Actor: The Ultimate Guide
• The Best Apps to Memorize Lines for An Audition​
• Actor Podcasts: 5 Must-Listens for Aspiring Film Actors