WGA West Chief David Young Accused of Threatening WME’s Rick Rosen

WGA West executive director David Young is accused of threatening to “kill” WME veteran Rick Rosen during a phone call in August, according to legal filings that mark the latest twist in the litigation between the guild and Hollywood’s two largest talent agencies.

The declaration by Rosen came as part of a motion WME filed asking a federal judge to intervene to force a settlement in the long standoff between WME and WGA over the guild’s new rules of engagement for agents who represent members. CAA filed a similar motion on Tuesday.

“After Mr. Young repeatedly threatened to “kill” me during a phone call on August 11, 2020, I called WGAW’s President David Goodman, with whom I have a good professional relationship. I informed Mr. Goodman of Mr. Young’s threats to me,” Rosen stated in the declaration taken Nov. 17. “Mr. Goodman responded “Oh God,” which I interpreted to mean “that’s terrible” but “it’s unsurprising.” This to me underscores that such behavior by Mr. Young is both expected and condoned by the Guilds.”

Representatives for the WGA West could not immediately be reached for comment.

More to come

(Pictured: WGA West’s David Young and WME’s Rick Rosen)