Weitz stuff at Endeavor
Exec's client list includes Silveri, Lit, Ridley
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Weitz is now Endeavor's 11th partner -- and the first agent promoted to that level from within the tenpercentery's rank since its founding in March 1995. Appointment marks a rapid rise for Weitz, who started his agency career in 1991 as a mailroom assistant at InterTalent -- and turns 33 today.
Weitz' client list includes a wide range of scribes and helmers, such as "Friends" exec producers Scott Silveri and Shana Goldberg-Meehan; "King of Queens" co-creator David Lit; prolific scribe John Ridley ("Three Kings"); "West Wing" helmer/exec producer Thomas Schlamme; "Malcolm in the Middle" helmer/producer Todd Holland; and vet director David Nutter.
Endeavor founding partner Ari Emmanuel praised Weitz for the "maturity of his thought process in dealing with clients and his wide range of relationships."
"He's a guy completely at ease in everything he does, whether he's dealing with clients or networks or studios," Emmanuel said. "He's one of the best there is out of his generation. It's a well-deserved (promotion.)"
Endeavor partner Rick Rosen -- who, like Emmanuel, has worked with Weitz since their days together at ICM -- said Weitz's elevation was "a natural progression for him."
"He's a great agent and he's exemplified tremendous leadership skills in running the lit department," Rosen said. "This is someone who worked his way up through the ranks, and (the promotion) demonstrates the fact that we're growing from within."
After starting out in the InterTalent mailroom, Weitz was named an agent at ICM in March 1984. He joined Endeavor in October 1997 as head of lit, essentially building the division from the ground up.
Weitz said he's "very happy to be a part of the group" of Endeavor partners.
"The culture is great here," he said. "My success is based on the clients who've invested in me, and the clients are what make the agency. I hope that my becoming a partner shows that hard work is rewarded, especially at Endeavor."
NBC Entertainment prexy Jeff Zucker called Weitz a "straight shooter" who boasts "the best list of young writers and producers in town. He really stands apart from the pack."
And Touchstone Television prexy Steve McPherson quipped that Weitz "seems like a nice boy."
"I don't really know Richard, but he has given me good Lakers tickets," McPherson said. "Actually, I honestly believe he's one of the great up-and-coming agents. He's honest, thorough, aggressive and proactive for his clients, both as a packager and as a sheer agent."
