In the wake of its merger with Endeavor, the William Morris Agency eliminated employees on Monday, shedding more than 100 agents, executives and support staff.
The layoffs came just as the Federal Trade Commission okayed the deal; labor commission approval in New York and California now awaits.
As for the axed staffers, the agency told them that their last day will be May 31. Previously, William Morris had approximately 300 agents.
Staffers began getting calls early Monday morning, and they are apparently being told they can use their office through the end of the month. Around 40 agents are being let go in total.
WMA and Endeavor agreed to merge on April 27.
An industry executive working on the merger said that today would be the brunt of the cuts, give or take a few for other reasons.
The executive also said that, while the the TV and film departments were hit particularly hard, no department is immune to the pinkslips.
Erwin More was one of the highest-profile agents let go. Among other clients, he represents actress Mariska Hargitay. Others to be eliminated were Alan Gasmer, Aaron Hart and Ben Rowe, all on the film side, and Renne Kurtz on the TV side.
