Illustration by Pixel Pusher; Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment The job of a business manager in the entertainment industry is possibly more complex than it's ever been. As production continues to move outside of Los Angeles, the men and women who work tirelessly to ensure the financial futures of Hollywood's most fortune-favored actors, musicians, creatives and executives find themselves fielding questions and managing anxieties, all while putting pen to paper and delivering strategies that will yield a sense of security. And that's before taking AI's looming impact into account. But it's hardly all doom and gloom. Stars like Margot Robbie, Donald Glover, Taraji P. Henson and Ryan Reynolds - all of whom are represented by money mavens on this list - have seen major recent successes, through hit projects and business ventures they launched or invested, whether it's Glover's Gilga production company, Henson owning her hair and beauty brand outright, or Reynolds' unprecedented coup with Wrexham A.F.C. "Every client has their thing," says David Leventhal, whose Citrin Cooperman firm represents the likes of Tom Cruise, James Gunn, Angelina Jolie and Ana de Armas. "Often it's our job to protect our client from themselves, but if the client has cash for speculation, for something like a beverage or shoe brand, and it makes sense and is rooted in reality, then so be it." Related Stories Business Netflix's Ted Sarandos Reacts to Warner Bros.' "For Sale" Sign, Mostly Deflects the Topic Business The Hollywood Reporter Power Business Managers Event to Feature Linda Lichter, Honor Anna DerParseghian Rob Abramowitz and Craig Manzino Armanino Rob Abramowitz and Craig Manzino Courtesy of Subject (2) Careers can peak and recede quickly, says Abramowitz, but responsibilities last forever. Along with Manzino, he focuses on the long-term financial stability of their clients, some of whom are the best-in-class on the big screen and the court. "The goal is to keep investing: deploying capital into a diversified plan that grows, rather than sitting on the sidelines even in uncertain times," he says. BIGGEST CONCERN MAZINO "We're meeting many new clients who've had years of mismanagement and overspending during their peak earnings, so this inflationary environment is very scary." INVESTMENT TREND ABRAMOWITZ "AI-driven consumer brands that align with clients' lifestyle and values." David Altman and Anthony Bonsignore Altman, Greenfield & Selvaggi Having taken over the boutique in 2020, the duo represent the financial interests of some of the most interesting creative forces: Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig, Donald Glover, Timothée Chalamet and Game of Thrones co-creators D.B. Weiss and David Benioff. BIGGEST CONCERN D. ALTMAN That clients won't "get the work and the pay that they were used to" as the industry faces continuing change. Howard Altman, Corey Barash, Warren Grant, Kim Ibrahim, Zoe Lawrence, Fran Wild Grant, Tani, Barash & Altman Representing some of the biggest Hollywood names (which they keep close to the vest), Grant says of his clients: "They'd like to see production come back to L.A. We have several studio investments that are struggling because of production going abroad and to other states." BIGGEST CONCERN H. ALTMAN "The geopolitical environment, and whether this could destabilize markets and slow U.S. jobs and growth." Marie Ambrosino Gursey | Schneider Marie Ambrosino Courtesy of Subject With clients like Seth MacFarlane and Mindy Kaling, Ambrosino likes to keep investments simple: equities, real estate, fixed income. "I tend to be a traditional investor," she says, but when they're looking to get into bed with a brand, Ambrosino sees them veering toward sports teams, tech, wine and spirits, skin care, clothing or jewelry lines. Belva Anakwenze Abacus Financial Business Management Belva Anakwenze Courtesy of Subject As her firm's founder, Anakwenze believes that while it's key to steer her clients - like Jay Ellis and Kevin Frazier - toward avoiding risk and setting them up for future stability, they have to enjoy their money as well: "Our job is to help them build financial structures that can withstand worst-case scenarios while allowing them to enjoy the fruits of their success during peak earning years." TARIFF IMPACT? "For clients who have diversified, merchandise lines or lifestyle brands are facing 15 to 25 percent increases on imported goods from manufacturing hubs in Asia, forcing a rethinking of pricing strategy and profit margins." Brett Anderson and Rachel Martinez Ground Control Business Management Brett Anderson Courtesy of Subject Advisers at the top-tier firm, which rebranded from Savitsky Satin Bacon & Bucci in 2022, are keeping a close eye on AI. Managing director Anderson says clients' biggest concern is un