Entertainment executive Ari Emanuel detailed a 1994 pedestrian accident and its impact on his professional philosophy in his memoir, "Roll the Calls." The book, scheduled for release on Tuesday, September 22, by Knopf, recounts how Emanuel was struck by a pickup truck while crossing a street in Los Angeles.
The incident occurred in early summer 1994 at the intersection of Doheny Drive and Wilshire Boulevard. Emanuel, who was working as a talent agent at the time, reported that he had just finished lunch at a restaurant and was returning to his office when the collision took place.
According to the excerpt, Emanuel waited for the pedestrian signal to flash before stepping off the curb. He was struck in the knees by the front grille of a black pickup truck, which flipped him into the air. He landed on the hood of the vehicle before falling onto the pavement, where he briefly lost consciousness.
Emanuel described the physical impact as distinct from prior injuries he sustained as a wrestler or during physical altercations in his youth. During the event, he recalled thinking about his professional obligations, specifically his "roll calls"—a series of business phone calls—and how being incapacitated would affect his work.
For the general public and aspiring professionals, the account illustrates the physical risks inherent in urban environments, specifically at busy intersections like Wilshire and Doheny. The memoir serves as a source for understanding the personal history of a figure in Hollywood talent representation. Readers will see how Emanuel’s perspective shifted following the event.
The memoir will be available in multiple formats, including hardcover, large-print paperback, eBook, and audio versions starting September 22. Emanuel is scheduled to discuss the memoir in an interview on "CBS Sunday Morning" on September 20.