More than three decades ago, Ari Emanuel made his first appearance in The Hollywood Reporter in a special section called “Next Gen.” At the time, Emanuel was just 33 years old and working as an agent at ICM Partners. He was part of the publication’s Class of 1994 and was already building a reputation in Hollywood.
In that early profile, Emanuel spoke about the people and places that were important to him. He named his father as one of his inspirations and mentioned popular Hollywood restaurants such as The Palm and The Ivy as some of his favorite spots. When asked about his ambitions, Emanuel gave a direct answer, saying he wanted money and power and did not want much else.
More than 30 years later, Emanuel has reached a position that closely matches those early ambitions. He has become one of the most prominent executives in the entertainment and sports business. He has held leadership roles at companies including WME Group and TKO, giving him influence across Hollywood, sports, media and entertainment.
Emanuel has now added another role to his career: author. His memoir, Roll the Calls, looks back at his early years in Hollywood and the experiences that helped shape his career. The book includes stories from his time trying to establish himself in the highly competitive entertainment industry.
One story in the memoir takes readers back to Emanuel’s first day in Los Angeles. At the time, he had bought a used 1983 Le Car, a small and colorful vehicle that immediately caught his attention. The car was not an expensive luxury vehicle, but Emanuel liked its unusual appearance and decided to make it part of his new life in Los Angeles.
Money was tight during those early days, but Emanuel still decided to spend more than expected on car insurance. His father had been concerned about the risks of driving without proper coverage and encouraged him to make sure he was protected if an accident happened.
The story offers a glimpse into Emanuel’s life before he became a major Hollywood executive. His early years involved starting at the mailroom at Creative Artists Agency and working his way through the entertainment business. Over time, he developed relationships and experience that helped him rise through the industry.
Today, Emanuel is known far beyond his early days as a young talent agent. His career has included major roles in entertainment, sports and media, while his memoir provides a more personal look at the experiences behind that rise.
From arriving in Los Angeles with limited money and a used car to becoming a leading figure in the entertainment business, Emanuel’s story shows how dramatically his career has changed since his first appearance in The Hollywood Reporter more than 30 years ago.