Let's be real for a second. If you’ve spent more than five minutes in a Facebook group for LA actors or scrolled through a Reddit thread about "reputable reps," you’ve probably seen the name pop up. Usually followed by someone asking if they’re legit.
Well, they are.
HRI Talent Los Angeles—officially known as Henderson Represents Inc.—isn’t some flashy, billion-dollar conglomerate like CAA or WME. It’s a specialized, SAG-AFTRA franchised agency that has been operating out of Studio City for nearly two decades. Founded in 2005 by Michelle Henderson, the agency has carved out a very specific niche: being the "mid-sized powerhouse" that actually answers its emails.
Honestly, in a town where being "ghosted" by your own representative is basically a rite of passage, that’s a bigger deal than it sounds.
The Michelle Henderson Factor
Michelle Henderson didn’t just wake up one day and decide to open a shop. Before HRI was a thing, she spent years in the trenches of the agency world. The agency actually started as Henderson & Romo Inc. before evolving into the HRI we know today.
The philosophy here is kinda straightforward: maintain a tight, recognizable pool of talent rather than signing every person who has a headshot and a dream. They represent everyone from toddlers to seasoned character actors, but they aren’t a "mill." If you're on the roster, they actually know who you are.
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Who’s Running the Show?
While Michelle Henderson is the owner, you’ll frequently hear the name Tanya Kleckner in casting circles. She’s the Director of Theatrical and has a reputation for being a total straight-shooter.
Kleckner’s background is actually British, and she brought over two decades of experience when she joined. She’s worked with some heavy hitters over the years—think Edward James Olmos and the Coppola family—but her real strength at HRI Talent Los Angeles is her connection to the big networks. We’re talking series regular bookings on HBO, NBC, and ABC.
The "Commercial First" Misconception
A lot of people think HRI is just a commercial house. That’s a mistake. While they are absolute monsters in the commercial and print world—working with ad agencies like Leo Burnett and Saatchi & Saatchi—their theatrical department is where the "real" career building happens.
They represent:
- Theatrical (Film & TV): This is for your guest stars, recurring roles, and series regulars.
- Commercial: Where the "bread and butter" money usually is.
- Youth: They have a dedicated division for kids and teens.
- Print & Voiceover: Rounding out the "across-the-board" representation model.
Basically, if you sign with them "across-the-board," they handle everything. It’s a convenient setup for an actor because your commercial agent is actually talking to your theatrical agent. Imagine that.
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How Do You Actually Get In?
Don't just show up at their door. Seriously.
HRI Talent Los Angeles is pretty old-school about their submission process. They have a strict no walk-in policy. They also aren't huge fans of random email blasts. If you want to get their attention, you usually have to do it the "hard way."
- Mail-in Submissions: They actually still look at physical headshots and resumes sent to their Studio City office on Ventura Blvd.
- Industry Referrals: This is the gold standard. If a casting director or a fellow actor on their roster puts in a word for you, you’re 10x more likely to get a meeting.
- Showcases: Tanya Kleckner and other agents from the office are known to attend reputable LA workshops and showcases (like the LA Acting Bootcamp).
The Meeting Reality Check
If you do manage to snag a meeting, don't expect a red carpet. It’s a business. You’ll likely be asked to do a cold read or perform a monologue. For kids, they’re looking for personality more than "thespian" skills. They want to see if the kid can actually hold a conversation with a stranger without looking at their parents for permission.
The "Red Flags" That Aren't Actually Red Flags
Let's address the elephant in the room: reviews. If you Google HRI, you might see some confusing stuff.
First, don't confuse HRI Talent Los Angeles with "HRI Properties" or some random tree-planting company in Canada that also uses those initials. I’ve seen actors get terrified because they read a review about "bad housing" or "withheld pay" that had absolutely nothing to do with the talent agency.
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Secondly, talent agencies are like restaurants; people usually only leave reviews when they’re mad. In the acting world, that usually means they didn't book work and want to blame the agent.
The Facts:
- They are State Licensed.
- They are SAG-AFTRA Franchised.
- They do not charge "start-up fees" or "website fees" (which is the biggest sign of a scam).
They take a commission when you work. Period. That’s how a real agency functions.
Actionable Steps for Actors
If you’re thinking about targeting HRI Talent Los Angeles for your next career move, you need to be strategic. They are a "reputation-based" office.
- Audit your materials first. They work with top-tier casting directors. If your headshots look like they were taken on an iPhone 8 in your backyard, you're wasting a stamp.
- Target the right department. If you have a great voice but no on-camera experience, don't try to force a theatrical meeting. Get in through the VO door and move up.
- Check the roster. Use IMDbPro to see who they currently represent. If they already have five people who look exactly like you and are in your age range, they probably won't sign you. They don't want to compete against themselves.
- Follow the 6-month rule. If you submit and hear nothing, wait at least six months before trying again. The industry is seasonal. A "no" in January might be a "yes" in July when they’re looking to fill a gap in their roster before pilot season (or whatever version of pilot season exists in 2026).
HRI stays relevant because they adapted. They moved into "New Media" and brand marketing long before the smaller boutique agencies caught on. They aren't the biggest, and they aren't the smallest, but for an actor looking for personal attention without sacrificing the "big office" connections, they remain one of the most solid choices in the Valley.
Current Contact (Verified):
HRI Talent
11846 Ventura Blvd., #302
Studio City, CA 91604
Don't call them. Just don't. Send the mail or get a referral.