Ari Emanuel's memoir 'Roll the Calls' offers glimpse into Hollywood agent's rise
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IN SHORT
Hollywood mogul Ari Emanuel's new memoir, "Roll the Calls," details his rise from the mailroom to leading WME Group and TKO Group Holdings. The book explores his competitive nature, childhood experiences, and the rage that has fueled his career, offering insights into the workings of the entertainment industry.
Key Numbers
65age of Ari Emanuel
Who's Involved
Ari Emanuel
Hollywood mogul and author of "Roll the Calls"
WME Group
Mega talent agency led by Ari Emanuel
TKO Group Holdings Inc.
Company chaired by Ari Emanuel, owner of UFC and WWE
Rahm Emanuel
Ari Emanuel's brother, former chief of staff to President Obama and mayor of Chicago
Zeke Emanuel
Ari Emanuel's brother, a bio-ethicist and oncologist
↳ Why This Matters
The memoir provides insights into the career of a prominent Hollywood agent and the inner workings of the entertainment industry, detailing the ambition and competitive drive behind a major talent agency and its affiliated sports and entertainment companies.
Key facts
Ari Emanuel, chairman of WME Group and chairman of TKO Group Holdings, has released his memoir, "Roll the Calls."
The book details Emanuel's career trajectory from starting in the mailroom to leading major entertainment entities.
Emanuel's clients include Denzel Washington, Adele, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Bruno Mars, and Adam Sandler.
TKO Group Holdings owns UFC and WWE.
Emanuel described himself as "satisfied-ish" and "happy-ish" but highly competitive.
He stated his family emphasized meaning, self-improvement, and a lack of fear of confrontation.
Emanuel's brothers are Rahm Emanuel, former chief of staff to President Obama and mayor of Chicago, and Zeke Emanuel, a bio-ethicist and oncologist.
Emanuel recounted being bullied for dyslexia and a childhood incident where he smashed a lunch tray in a bully's face.
Hollywood mogul Ari Emanuel has released his memoir, "Roll the Calls," offering readers a look into his career and personal life. The book, published by Knopf, details his journey from starting in the mailroom to becoming the head of WME Group, a major talent agency, and chairman of TKO Group Holdings, which owns UFC and WWE. Emanuel's clients have included prominent figures such as Denzel Washington, Adele, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Bruno Mars, and Adam Sandler.
The memoir touches on Emanuel's competitive nature, which he attributes in part to his upbringing. He described his family as emphasizing meaning, self-improvement, and a willingness to confront challenges. His brothers, Rahm Emanuel and Zeke Emanuel, are also noted figures in politics and bioethics, respectively. Emanuel also reflects on childhood experiences, including being bullied for dyslexia and a formative incident where he physically confronted a bully. He characterized his career as being fueled by a persistent "rage," with one client reportedly calling him a "ragent."
Frequently asked questions
Ari Emanuel is a Hollywood mogul, chairman of WME Group, and chairman of TKO Group Holdings. He is known for representing major entertainment and sports figures.
'Roll the Calls' is the title of Ari Emanuel's new memoir, published by Knopf.
TKO Group Holdings is a company that owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), chaired by Ari Emanuel.
What Happens Next
01"Roll the Calls" was published on September 21, 2026.
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How It Developed
Ari Emanuel's memoir, "Roll the Calls," was published by Knopf.