From Marilyn Monroe to Meghan Markle: How Hollywood talent agency WME will be ‘building out her business’

The longest-running talent agency that represented Marilyn Monroe has just acquired a new client to add to their books, The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle.

WME (William Morris Endeavor) announced that they will be representing Meghan and help her in ‘building out her business’. In a statement the company said “We are honoured to announce that WME now represents Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex in all areas. 

“The agency will be focusing on building out her business ventures across multiple facets of the agency and its broader ecosystem, including film and television production, brand partnerships and more.”

According to the firm the Duchess will work with CEO Ari Emanuel, agent Brad Slater, and agent Jill Smoller. Jill is best known for her work with Tennis ace Serena Williams who is a close friend of Meghan’s and may have introduced them to each other.

The company will represent Meghan and Harry’s own label Archewell, film and television productions, brand partnerships, and overall business.

So what exactly does Jill have planned? There have been rumours of Meghan bringing back her successful blog ‘The Tig’ and the couple still have a deal with Netflix so we can expect more projects with the streaming service. There is also a possibility that the Duchess will release her own memoir just like husband Harry did and she could even return to acting. 

WME first opened its doors in 1898 with their first clients Charlie Chaplin, Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. After not getting the acting opportunities she wanted Marilyn went to William Morris Agency for support and advice. 

Vice-president of the William Morris Agency [1949] Johnny Hyde met Marilyn when she was just starting out. Marilyn had had some small time success with modelling and film roles but was looking for her ‘Big break.’ Johnny helped the actress land roles in ‘The Asphalt Jungle’ and ‘All About Eve’. 

In 1984 film producer Sam Spiegel wrote Johnny had “turned job-seeker Norma Jean into a sex symbol.” 

Over the many years WME has built a client base filled with celebrities across all genres of film, music, TV and Sport including Calvin Harris, Dwayne Johnson, Austin Butler, Rihanna, Sofia Carson Mark Wahlberg, Tony Robbins and the legendary Oprah Winfrey, another close pal of Meghan. 

If WME can do for Meghan what they did for Marilyn she will become the next global superstar, so much for wanting a quiet private life.