Ari Emanuel Calls Barry Diller 'A Mélange of Old Farts and Bad Ideas' in Upcoming Memoir
The Hollywood agent's new book, 'Roll the Calls,' reportedly includes harsh critiques of the media mogul, with whom he previously served on the Live Nation board.
Hollywood super agent Ari Emanuel is set to release his first memoir, "Roll the Calls," which contains sharp criticisms of billionaire media executive Barry Diller. According to a report from Puck, Emanuel, 65, dismisses Diller, 84, as "a mélange of old farts and bad ideas" and describes him as having the "voice of a smug, pedantic bureaucrat."
Emanuel, the inspiration for Jeremy Piven's abrasive character on the HBO show "Entourage," has represented numerous high-profile clients, including Mark Wahlberg, Larry David, and Martin Scorsese. His memoir, co-written by Pulitzer Prize winner J.R. Moehringer, is scheduled for release on Tuesday.
Reports suggest Emanuel's book will feature aggressive sentiments, with Puck correspondent Matthew Belloni noting common phrases like "Just shut the f*ck up" and "You disrespect my client, I’ll rip out your f**king trachea."
Diller and Emanuel have a history stemming from their time together on the board of Live Nation Entertainment following the 2010 merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. Diller, who was instrumental in the creation of the Fox channel in 1986, served as chairman of the ticketing giant for approximately a year. His tenure ended abruptly in 2011 when he resigned amid reported clashes with other board members over control and decision-making. Sources at the time suggested the board was initiating efforts to remove him, leading to his resignation to preemptively avoid such an ousting.
Emanuel, who co-founded the Endeavor talent agency in 1995, has built a significant career in Hollywood. He is known for his demanding work ethic, reportedly waking at 4 a.m. daily for workouts and ice baths. His agency has represented major stars such as Dwayne Johnson, Vin Diesel, Oprah Winfrey, and Meghan Markle. Emanuel's business interests also extend to TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC and WWE.
Endeavor merged with William Morris in 2009, consolidating Emanuel's position as a leading figure in the entertainment industry. He also oversaw Endeavor's public offering in 2021. Emanuel is married to fashion designer Sarah Staudinger.