Aleen Keshishian

American talent manager and film producer

Aleen Keshishian

Born|

Aleen Nicole Keshishian

(1968-02-03) February 3, 1968 (age 57)

Beirut, Lebanon

Nationality| Armenian, American
Education| St. Paul's School
Harvard University (AB)
Occupation(s)| Talent manager, producer
Title| Founder and CEO, Lighthouse Management + Media
Children| 2

Aleen Nicole Keshishian (born February 3, 1968) is a talent manager, producer, and founder and CEO of Lighthouse Management + Media. She manages the careers of artists including Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez, Olivia Rodrigo, Paul Rudd, Jason Bateman, Mark Ruffalo, Billy Crudup, Laura Linney and Gwyneth Paltrow.[1][2][3][4][5]

Her producing credits include documentaries Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry and Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, as well as the Ryan Murphy series Ratched.[6] Keshishian has led and negotiated the sale of films and TV shows.[7][8]

Keshishian has been named one of the most powerful women in Hollywood by The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 nine times in her career.[4][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] In 2023, she was named in Variety500's list of influential business leaders in the global media industry.[1][16]

## Early life and education

[edit]

Keshishian was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to Cecile Keshishian (née Simonian), and Kevork Keshishian, a pediatrician and radiologist from Aleppo, Syria. Both Cecile and Kevork were born to and raised by survivors of the Armenian Genocide.[17] Cecile and Kevork immigrated to the United States in 1968, living for a brief period in Brookline, Massachusetts, before settling in Manchester, New Hampshire, where they raised Aleen and her older brother, Alek, who is a film director.[18] Growing up, both children were taught to read, write, and speak fluently in Armenian.[2] Keshishian grew up acting at the Manchester children's theater alongside Adam Sandler.[11][18]

Keshishian attended St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, before graduating magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1990 with a degree in art history.[3][19]

## Career

[edit]

### Casting and ICM

[edit]

Keshishian got her start in entertainment as a casting assistant to Juliet Taylor.[3][20] In 1993, after three years in casting, Keshishian was hired as a talent agent at ICM in New York City by Sam Cohn.[18] She spent six years under his tutelage and cites him as a mentor.[1][21] Keshishian's first client as an agent was 12-year old Natalie Portman, who was signed by Keshishian before she starred in Luc Besson's The Professional.[21] Keshishian managed Portman for 21 years.[21] During this time, Keshishian orchestrated the collaboration between her former Harvard classmate Darren Aronofsky and Portman on the 2010 film Black Swan, which earned Portman an Academy Award for Best Actress.[3][22]

### AMG and Brillstein Entertainment Partners

[edit]

In 1999, after six years at ICM, Keshishian moved to Los Angeles to become a talent manager and co-run the motion picture talent department at Artists Management Group (AMG).[20] In 2005, Keshishian left AMG to join Brillstein Entertainment Partners as a partner.[23][24][25] At Brillstein, Keshishian began working with Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow, who has referred to Keshishian as "a very special and unique force in the talent management world."[18]

### Lighthouse Management + Media

[edit]

In 2016, she left Brillstein and founded Lighthouse Management + Media, a full service talent management, production, and media company based in Los Angeles.[10][26] Keshishian is both the owner and CEO of the company.[4]

Keshishian helped Jason Bateman with his directing career while simultaneously building out his production company, Aggregate Films.[27] She has also helped place Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Rudd, Natalie Portman, Zoe Saldaña, and Kathryn Hahn in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[28] Among her other clients are actors Billy Crudup, Laura Linney, Topher Grace, Justin Theroux, Emily Mortimer, director Jesse Peretz, supermodel Miranda Kerr, and former United States Ambassador and producer Nicole Avant.[29]

In 2014, Keshishian expanded her management portfolio into music, signing Selena Gomez in all areas of her career to assist her transition from child actress.[2][7][30] Keshishian has guided Gomez's career as an actor, musician, entrepreneur, and social media presence.[3][7][31] Keshishian has also worked with Gomez to create and develop the cosmetics company Rare Beauty.[5][7][32][33][34]

In 2022, Keshishian signed singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo.[1][35] In 2024, Keshishian signed singer-songwriter H.E.R.[29][36] Later that year, Keshishian produced the Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour concert special with Netflix.[37] She also produced the Max Original music documentary Louder: The Soundtrack of Change alongside Selena Gomez and Stacey Abrams.[38] The documentary tells the story of female music icons whose songs and activism have inspired the fight for gender equality.[37][39]

## Philanthropy

[edit]

Alongside Selena Gomez, Keshishian helped establish the Rare Impact Fund, an initiative led by mental health experts committed to raising funds for mental health treatments in underserved communities.[3][40] To date, the Rare Impact Fund has raised $13 million dollars.[34] Keshishian and her clients have raised money for other charities including UNICEF, Make-A-Wish, St. Jude's, the Children's Hospital of LA, Global Citizen, the Lupus Alliance, and The Solutions Project.[6][7]

## Personal life

[edit]

Keshishian serves on the board of directors of the Center for Countering Digital Hate.[6][41][42][43] She has also served as a John H. Mitchell visiting professor in media entertainment at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.[6][44]

Keshishian is married to her Harvard classmate Kit Troyer, with whom she has two children.[19] They live in Los Angeles.[19]

## Filmography

[edit]

### Film

[edit]

Year  | Film  | Credit

|
|

2004  | Haven | Executive producer
2010  | Hesher | Executive producer
2011  | Our Idiot Brother | Executive producer
2013  | Life of Crime | Executive producer
2015  | Jane Got a Gun | Producer
2016  | Pride and Prejudice and Zombies | Executive producer
2021  | Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry | Executive producer
2022  | Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me | Producer
2024  | Louder: The Soundtrack of Change | Producer

### Television

[edit]

Year  | Film  | Credit

|
|

2005  | Freddie | Producer
2020  | Ratched | Executive producer

### Other

[edit]

Year  | Category  | Title  | Credit

|
|
|

2017  | Music video  | Selena Gomez: "Bad Liar"  | Producer
2017  | Music video  | Selena Gomez Ft. Gucci Mane: "Fetish"  | Producer
2024  | TV Special  | Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour | Producer

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Eriksen, Kaare (2013-12-17). "Aleen Keshishian". Variety. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
2. ^ a b c Caprino, Kathy. "Top A-List Hollywood Talent Manager Shares Her Key Strategies for Phenomenal Success". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2023-12-21. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
3. ^ a b c d e f "The Actors' Advocate | St. Paul's School". www.sps.edu. 2024-11-14. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
4. ^ a b c "The Hollywood Reporter's 2024 Women in Entertainment Power 100". The Hollywood Reporter. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
5. ^ a b Karp, Hannah (2024-02-29). "Management: Billboard Women in Music 2024". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
6. ^ a b c d "USC Cinematic Arts | School of Cinematic Arts Directory Profile". cinema.usc.edu. Archived from the original on 2024-09-14. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
7. ^ a b c d e Williams, Nick (2020-01-27). "Aleen Keshishian Talks Selena Gomez's 'Rare' Rollout and Billie Eilish's Historic $26 Million Apple TV+ Deal". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
8. ^ a b "The Hollywood Reporter's 2017 Women in Entertainment Power 100". The Hollywood Reporter. 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
9. ^ "The Hollywood Reporter's 2015 Women in Entertainment Power 100". The Hollywood Reporter. 2015-12-09. Archived from the original on 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
10. ^ a b "The Hollywood Reporter's 2016 Women in Entertainment Power 100". The Hollywood Reporter. 2016-12-07. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
11. ^ a b Brower, Alison (2018-12-05). "The Hollywood Reporter's 2018 Women in Entertainment Power 100". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
12. ^ "The Hollywood Reporter's 2019 Women in Entertainment Power 100". The Hollywood Reporter. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
13. ^ "The Hollywood Reporter's 2021 Women in Entertainment Power 100". The Hollywood Reporter. 2021-05-12. Archived from the original on 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
14. ^ O'Connell, Mikey (2022-12-07). "The Hollywood Reporter's 2022 Women in Entertainment Power 100". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
15. ^ O'Connell, Mikey (2023-12-07). "The Hollywood Reporter's 2023 Women in Entertainment Power 100". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
16. ^ "Variety500". Variety. 2017-09-26. Archived from the original on 2025-01-08. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
17. ^ "Legacy Naming at AUA: The Kevork & Cecile Keshishian Student Union". The Armenian Weekly. 2022-09-13. Archived from the original on 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
18. ^ a b c d Naugle, Wendy (2019-07-24). "The Woman Behind Jennifer Aniston's Return to TV Has Some Career Advice for You". Glamour. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
19. ^ a b c "Harvardwood Masterclasses". Harvardwood. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
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21. ^ a b c Fleming, Mike Jr. (2014-07-12). "After 21 Years, Natalie Portman And Aleen Keshishian Change Rep Relationship". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
22. ^ Sneider, Jeff (2011-09-23). "Keshishian: Managing hopes and dreams". Variety. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
23. ^ Waxman, Sharon (2004-03-19). "Leading Hollywood Talent and Marketing Companies Merge". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
24. ^ Fleming, Michael; Brodesser, Claude (2005-07-31). "Firm loses talent grip". Variety. Archived from the original on 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
25. ^ Leeds, Jeff; Ulmer, James (2005-08-11). "Departures Cool Off Agency's Hot Start". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
26. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2016-02-02). "Aleen Keshishian Leaves Brillstein Entertainment Partners To Form Lighthouse Management". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
27. ^ "Ozark". Television Academy. Archived from the original on 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
28. ^ Sneider, Jeff (2016-02-02). "Marvel Stars Paul Rudd, Mark Ruffalo, Gwyneth Paltrow to Exit Management Company Brillstein Entertainment Partners". TheWrap. Archived from the original on 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
29. ^ a b Aswad, Jem (2024-02-13). "H.E.R. Signs With Lighthouse Management and Media". Variety. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
30. ^ "Selena Gomez 'signs with new managers'". Music-News.com. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
31. ^ Peters, Mitchell (2023-03-19). "Selena Gomez Wants to 'Hug All 400 Million' of Her Instagram Followers After Becoming Platform's Most-Followed Woman". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
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34. ^ a b Feldman, Lucy (2024-05-29). "Selena Gomez Is Revolutionizing the Celebrity Beauty Business". TIME. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
35. ^ Petski, Denise (2022-02-15). "Olivia Rodrigo Signs With Lighthouse Management + Media". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
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38. ^ "Max Original Documentary LOUDER: THE SOUNDTRACK OF CHANGE Debuts October 17 | Pressroom". press.wbd.com. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
39. ^ "Louder: The Soundtrack of Change - Bell Media". Louder: The Soundtrack of Change - Bell Media. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
40. ^ Chuba, Kirsten (2023-10-05). "Selena Gomez Hosts Inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit, Calling Mental Health Fund "The Most Important Thing That I've Ever Done"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
41. ^ "The New Push for Censorship Under the Guise of Combating Hate". Tablet Magazine. 2023-10-02. Archived from the original on 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
42. ^ "America First Legal Releases New Evidence, Files Formal Complaint With the DOJ to Investigate UK-Based "Center for Countering Digital Hate" for Engaging in a Foreign Influence Campaign to Stop Free Speech in the United States". America First Legal. 2024-10-31. Archived from the original on 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
43. ^ Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford, Ash Ngu, Brandon (2013-05-09). "Center for Countering Digital Hate - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Archived from the original on 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-05.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
44. ^ "Classes Offered". USC Schedule of Classes. Archived from the original on 2025-01-06. Retrieved 2025-01-05.