Business 3 min read By Mason Emerson
JB Smoove keynotes Variety’s Business Managers Breakfast in Los Angeles
Emmy-winning actor and comedian JB Smoove will give the keynote at Variety’s annual Business Managers Breakfast in Los Angeles on Nov. 12, an event honoring top entertainment business managers.
Emmy Award-winning actor, comedian, producer and writer JB Smoove will deliver the keynote address at Variety’s annual Business Managers Breakfast, held in Los Angeles on Nov. 12. The event is presented by City National Bank, and it puts a spotlight on the advisers who manage the finances of many of the industry’s most visible names.
The breakfast is designed to bring together the professionals featured in Variety’s Business Managers Elite issue, a special edition that recognizes the achievements of top entertainment business managers over the past year. For a sector that often works behind the scenes, the gathering offers a rare occasion to honor those who oversee income, spending, investments and long-term planning for performers, writers, directors and other creative professionals.
Smoove brings a résumé that spans both sides of the screen. He is best known for his comedy work, including his role as Leon Hightower on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” a part that has earned him a wide following. He has also worked as a producer and writer, giving him firsthand familiarity with the creative and financial realities of the entertainment business, a perspective that fits the focus of an event centered on the people who handle its money.
Variety’s business managers coverage reflects the publication’s broader attention to the financial infrastructure behind Hollywood. Careers in film, television and music depend on careful contract review, tax planning and the disciplined management of earnings that can be irregular from year to year. Recognizing the professionals who handle those responsibilities at an annual breakfast underscores how central they have become to the entertainment economy.
The event’s sponsorship by City National Bank also signals the close relationship between the entertainment industry and the financial institutions that serve it. Banking and wealth management services are a significant part of the advisory ecosystem around talent, and the presence of a major bank as presenter places the breakfast within that broader network of private finance.
The announcement comes ahead of a November date that will gather the honorees, industry guests and the Variety editorial team in one room. Further details about the program, including any additional speakers, the full agenda and the specific honorees, were not specified in the announcement, and the publication has not provided those particulars at this time.
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