Merritt Blake(1935-2018)
- Actor
- Executive
Merritt Blake graduated from college with a Bachelor Degree in History
before beginning his career in 1962 in the mail room of MCA, the
traditional entryway for aspiring agents. He went on to become an
agent-in-training at General Artists Corp. under the supervision of the
legendary Martin Baum, and then gained experience working with Hugh
French and Jerry Perenchio at Chartwell Artists.
Merritt opened the Blake Agency in 1970, with a client list that included such iconic artists as Gene Wilder, Burl Ives, Robert Duvall, Angie Dickinson, Robert Reed, James Daly, and James Whitmore. He subsequently has represented, among many others, Jody Foster, Leonard Nimoy, Brooke Shields, Robert Stack, Brian Keith, Robert Urich, Elaine Stritch, Tyne Daly, Katharine Ross, Maximilian Schell, Scott Wilson, Barry Corbin, Wilford Brimley, Genevieve Bujold, Frederic Forrest, Rip Torn, Geraldine Page, Bob Newhart, Rene Auberjonois, John Rubenstein, Hallie Foote, Donald Pleasance, and Lawrence Fishburn III.
The Blake Agency has long been established as one of the most highly respected boutique talent agencies in Hollywood, for several decades representing a virtual Who's Who of the film industry's finest and most influential actors, including numerous Oscar and Emmy winners.
Merritt is unique among Hollywood agents in his recognition of the difference between mere celebrity and genuine artistic achievement, evident in his dedication to representing actors with a strong background in theatre. He is a member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences as well as the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Talent Agents. For a number of years Merritt has been committed to working with disadvantaged youths as a mentor and Court Appointed Special Advocate.
Merritt opened the Blake Agency in 1970, with a client list that included such iconic artists as Gene Wilder, Burl Ives, Robert Duvall, Angie Dickinson, Robert Reed, James Daly, and James Whitmore. He subsequently has represented, among many others, Jody Foster, Leonard Nimoy, Brooke Shields, Robert Stack, Brian Keith, Robert Urich, Elaine Stritch, Tyne Daly, Katharine Ross, Maximilian Schell, Scott Wilson, Barry Corbin, Wilford Brimley, Genevieve Bujold, Frederic Forrest, Rip Torn, Geraldine Page, Bob Newhart, Rene Auberjonois, John Rubenstein, Hallie Foote, Donald Pleasance, and Lawrence Fishburn III.
The Blake Agency has long been established as one of the most highly respected boutique talent agencies in Hollywood, for several decades representing a virtual Who's Who of the film industry's finest and most influential actors, including numerous Oscar and Emmy winners.
Merritt is unique among Hollywood agents in his recognition of the difference between mere celebrity and genuine artistic achievement, evident in his dedication to representing actors with a strong background in theatre. He is a member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences as well as the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Talent Agents. For a number of years Merritt has been committed to working with disadvantaged youths as a mentor and Court Appointed Special Advocate.
