Top CAA agent Nick Styne was let go from the agency on Thursday, an individual familiar with the decision told TheWrap. His last day will be Friday.
Styne’s client list included Justin Bieber, One Direction, Ariana Grande, Bella Thorne, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Lily Collins, Cameron Diaz and “Pretty Little Liars” star Ashley Benson.
Styne was one of the highest paid agents at the firm, earning a roughly $2 million salary, according to two people familiar with his compensation.
A CAA spokesperson denied the figure but did not dispute that the agent was terminated.
Styne will start his own venture, one of the individuals said. His exit comes on the heels of the departures of a handful of highly-paid agents, which has led many to speculate that CAA management is actively seeking to cut costs and reduce overhead.
Veteran lit agent Spencer Baumgarten left in late November. He represented a notable roster of film directors, writers, and producers that included Gore Verbinski (“Pirates of the Caribbean”), Pierre Morel (“Taken”), Kurt Wimmer (“Point Break”), Donnie Yen (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”), and Jon Favreau (“The Jungle Book”).
Weeks prior, theatrical agents Kim Hodgert and Kami Putnam-Heist left to become managers at Anonymous Content, putting in play a long client list that included Joel Edgerton, Margot Robbie, Gugu Mbatha-raw, Alden Ehrenreich, Dane DeHaan, Sam Worthington, Dakota Fanning, Ruth Wilson, Eva Mendes and Hailee Steinfeld.