Michael Ovitz took another hit yesterday when Robin Williams bailed out of the
dealmaker's Artists Management Group.
Ovitz set off a war in 1999 when he lured away Williams and his agent, Mike
Menchel, from the Creative Artists Agency, which Ovitz used to run.
Williams' spokesman told us that, although the funnyman "has had a long and
productive relationship with Michael Ovitz and Mike Menchel, he is ready to
reunite with the resources of a full-service agency."
Since he hasn't signed with anyone, you can bet agents all over Hollywood are
calling him for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
An AMG spokeswoman had no comment on Williams' departure, which comes at a bad
time for Ovitz. Several of his top execs also bolted. Last year, his Artists
Television Group collapsed, with losses estimated at $60 million. Last month,
Vivendi, which backed his movie division, Artists Production Group, pulled out
of its deal, claiming an audit showed up to $2 million unaccounted for.
NY DAILY NEWS...RUSH AND MOLLOY
dealmaker's Artists Management Group.
Ovitz set off a war in 1999 when he lured away Williams and his agent, Mike
Menchel, from the Creative Artists Agency, which Ovitz used to run.
Williams' spokesman told us that, although the funnyman "has had a long and
productive relationship with Michael Ovitz and Mike Menchel, he is ready to
reunite with the resources of a full-service agency."
Since he hasn't signed with anyone, you can bet agents all over Hollywood are
calling him for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
An AMG spokeswoman had no comment on Williams' departure, which comes at a bad
time for Ovitz. Several of his top execs also bolted. Last year, his Artists
Television Group collapsed, with losses estimated at $60 million. Last month,
Vivendi, which backed his movie division, Artists Production Group, pulled out
of its deal, claiming an audit showed up to $2 million unaccounted for.
NY DAILY NEWS...RUSH AND MOLLOY
