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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Richard Weitz say to the weight? "You're pulling on me.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard Weitz
BornApril 1969 (age 57)
United States
EducationColumbian College of Arts and Sciences
OccupationCo-chair
OrganizationWME Group
Known forQuarantunes
Board member of
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Saban Community Clinic
McCallum Theatre
SpouseCandie Weitz
Children2

Richard Weitz is a Hollywood talent agent and co-chairman of WME Group. Prior to the new parent company's formation in 2025, he was a partner and co-chairman of William Morris Endeavor (WME).

Early life and education

[edit]

Weitz was born in April 1969[1] to Stanley and Joyce Weitz.[2] His brother, Andrew Weitz, is a style consultant.[1]

He attended Cheltenham High School in Pennsylvania,[1] and later received a B.A. in communications from Columbian College of Arts and Sciences at George Washington University, in 1991,[3] where he delivered the class commencement speech.[4]

Career

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He worked in the mailroom of InterTalent Agency in 1991, later joining International Creative Management (ICM), where he became an agent, working with Ari Emanuel and Rick Rosen, who later cofounded Endeavor Talent Agency. Weitz joined Endeavor in 1997, becoming a partner in April 2002, while heading the agency's TV packaging department.[5]

He continued as a partner following the company's 2009 merger and transition to William Morris Endeavor, while co-leading the agency's scripted television department, with clients such as Tina Fey, Seth MacFarlane, Ricky Gervais, Jake Kasdan and Shawn Levy .[5][6] Personal interests also led Weitz to add representation of celebrities crossing over from music or sports into entertainment and media.[6]

In 2014, he received the Bernie Brillstein Legacy award, presented by Rob Lowe, a longtime client.[7][8] The Hollywood Reporter named him among the "Most Powerful People in Comedy" in 2018[9] and 2019.[10]

In 2022, he and fellow WME veteran Christian Muirhead became co-chairmen,[6][11] and Weitz continued to personally represent a roster of talent,[6][5] while the duo navigate changes to the industry, including in streaming services and AI.[12][13]

In early 2025, Endeavor investor Silver Lake successfully took the publicly-traded company private again, with assets to operate under WME Group. Weitz and Muirhead were named co-chairmen of the WME Group of entertainment companies, working with president and managing partner Mark Shapiro to lead the newly formed parent company, with cofounder Emanuel serving as executive chairman.[14][15]

Weitz is a board member of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,[16] and Saban Community Clinic,[17] and a trustee of McCallum Theatre.[18]

Quarantunes fundraisers

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Weitz and his daughter, Demi,[19] began a private, online Zoom gathering, with Demi soon adding a GoFundMe campaign for the Saban Community Clinic.[20] Fundraising concerts quickly evolved into "Quarantunes", a series of online celebrity concerts hosted by the pair, which raised over $37 million for various charitable causes over nearly two years.[21] By May 2020, over 100 performers had agreed to join the series, and The Hollywood Bowl, which had been closed for the pandemic, opened for a special concert broadcast live.[22] The familial partnership had Weitz engaged with his A-list talent contacts and "encyclopedic knowledge" of music, while Demi managed nonprofit Q&As, and made "passionate pleas to keep the donations rolling."[20][23]

Bob Iger presented the father-daughter duo with the Walt Disney Philanthropists of the Year Award at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles "The Big Night In" virtual gala, in September 2020.[17] Other recognition includes being named among "36 Breakout Stars of 2020" by The Hollywood Reporter;[24] presented with a Make-A-Wish Award by Mark Hamill, in December 2021;[25] and receiving the Dorothy Parker Ally Award during the 2022 NAACP Image Awards, in February 2023.[21]

Personal life

[edit]

Married to Candie, Weitz has two children, Demi and Aiden,[2] and resides in Los Angeles.[26]

During the 2019 Writers Guild strike, while members were leaving agencies that refused to sign a new agreement, The Hollywood Reporter published a humorous essay by writer Joel Stein about firing his long-time agent, Weitz,[27] which was followed, in 2021, by a second Stein missive about rehiring Weitz.[28]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 Gardner, Chris (2019-05-08). "Richard Weitz Recruits Childhood Heroes for 50th Birthday Party: "Darth Vader in a Mosh Pit Was a Highlight"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  2. 1 2 Gardner, Chris (2020-06-24). "WME's Richard Weitz Fights Back Tears as "Quarantunes" Charity Concerts Pass $5M Mark". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  3. ↑ "Zooming with the Stars | GW Today | The George Washington University". GW Today. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  4. ↑ George Washington University (1991-05-01), Commencement speech by Richard Weitz, retrieved 2026-07-17
  5. 1 2 3 Hayden, Erik (2022-09-08). "WME Promotes Richard Weitz and Christian Muirhead to Co-Chairmen". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "WME Richard Weitz Co-Chairman". variety.com. 2022-09-08. Retrieved 2026-07-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ Kroll, Justin (2014-10-21). "Rob Lowe Honors WME's Richard Weitz at Bernie Brillstein Golf Classic". Variety. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  8. ↑ Schreffler, Laura (2014-10-23). "Richard Weitz". Haute Living. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  9. ↑ Abramovitch, Seth (2018-06-13). "The 40(ish) Most Powerful People in Comedy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  10. ↑ Abramovitch, Seth (2019-06-19). "The 40 Most Powerful People in Comedy 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  11. ↑ "'Chaotic new world': Hollywood's star handlers under new management". www.ft.com. Archived from the original on 2025-04-19. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  12. ↑ White, Peter (2024-09-19). "WME Co-Chairmen Christian Muirhead & Richard Weitz Optimistic About AI, Streaming Movies, Paramount Ownership & FAST Channels: "We Feel Really Good About The Future"". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  13. ↑ Manfredi, Lucas (2024-09-19). "WME Co-Chairs 'Optimistic' for Hollywood's Future Despite AI, Media Consolidation Fears". TheWrap. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  14. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (2025-03-24). "WME Parent Endeavor Acquired By Silver Lake As Longtime Investor Takes Company Private". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  15. ↑ Weprin, Alex (2025-03-24). "Endeavor Goes Private as Silver Lake Deal Closes: New Roles for Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro, Patrick Whitesell". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  16. ↑ Figueroa, Ana (2021-03-07). "Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Annual Gala Raises $1.6 Million". Beverly Hills Courier. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  17. 1 2 Stein, Joel (2020-09-26). "How a Chronically Extroverted WME Agent and His Daughter Raised Millions During Quarantine". LAmag. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  18. ↑ "Board of Trustees". McCallum Theatre. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  19. ↑ "Demi Weitz turns hardship into hope as she launches new music‑focused mission". ABC7 Los Angeles. 2026-03-09. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  20. 1 2 Gardner, Chris (2020-08-17). "WME Partner Richard Weitz's 'Quarantunes' Pass $8M Mark as Daughter is Feted by Tina Fey, John Mayer and Shawn Mendes". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  21. 1 2 Gardner, Chris (2023-02-15). "Richard and Demi Weitz Pledge Commitment to Diversity as Both Are Honored for Quarantunes Concert Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  22. ↑ Gardner, Chris (2020-05-24). "Hollywood Bowl Opens for One Night to Host Richard Weitz's Zoom Concert With Surprise Guests Billie Eilish, L.A. Mayor". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  23. ↑ Willman, Chris (2020-06-16). "Richard Weitz's 'Quarantunes' All-Star Benefit Livestreams Pass the $4 Million Fundraising Mark". Variety. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  24. ↑ Gardner, Chris (2020-12-17). "Puzzles, Verzuz and a Provocateur Named Ziwe: 36 Breakout Stars of 2020". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  25. ↑ Gardner, Chris (2021-12-10). "Mark Hamill Presents Make-A-Wish Award to Richard and Demi Weitz as 'RWQuarantunes' Surpasses $30M". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  26. ↑ Eriksen, Kaare (2024-12-17). "Christian Muirhead". Variety. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  27. ↑ Stein, Joel (2019-04-10). "Joel Stein: This Is How I'll Fire My Agent (Guest Column)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  28. ↑ Stein, Joel (2021-02-17). "Joel Stein: How I Made Up With My Agent (Guest Column)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
[edit]
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