UTA has promoted Jay Gassner, Chris Hart, Josh Katz and Mike Jelline (above, left to right) to partner, the agency announced on Monday. The first three are all motion picture talent agents, representing the likes of Aziz Ansari, Kevin Hart, Kristen Wiig and Jake Johnson.
Jelline is one of the head of the agency’s TV talent department, representing Lake Bell, Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn, among others.
This brings UTA’s total number of partners to 31.
“We are pleased to announce the partnership promotions of Jay, Chris, Mike and Josh,” UTA’s Board of Directors said in a joint statement. “There are many ways an agency grows, and organic matriculation into the partnership is in many ways the most rewarding for all concerned. This elevation recognizes not just what they have accomplished but perhaps more importantly the responsibility of further accomplishment that we have placed on them as future leaders.”
Gassner (above, left) and Katz (below, right) started in the UTA mailroom and steadily worked their way up. Gassner, a Boston native, began his career in the TV Literary department before moving into talent while Katz has been an agent in the talent department since 1999.
Hart and Jelline joined UTA from ICM in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
