Talent agent Craig Wargo dies

Marissa Tait won’t forget the first time she met Craig Wargo six

years ago. He didn’t look like your typical slick Hollywood agent. In

fact, he was wearing a gray shirt and sucking a green lollipop.

But Tait, 25, who has had parts in the soap opera “The Bold and

the Beautiful” and TV series “Baby Bob,” knew she was going to like

him the instant they met. Wargo, of Burbank, died from liver disease

Wednesday. He was 48.

As a talent agent he helped launch the movie and television

careers of several young actors. He started his career at Beverly

Dean Management, where he coached actor Jim Caviezel (“Passion of the

Christ”). Wargo eventually formed Talent Management Associates and

Wargo-Einfeld Management. During his career, he represented such

actors as Riley Smith (“Radio,” “New York Minute” and “24”), Jensen

Ackles (“Smallville” and “Dark Angel”), Tim Redwine and Trevor

Lissauer.

Wargo was artistic director for Los Angeles-based Creative Outlet

Theatre, started by actors Chad Allen and Heather Tom. He earned a

bachelor’s degree in theater from Illinois State University.

Wargo started a radio, television and film program while teaching

at Pearce High School in suburban Dallas. Those students included

Hank Nelken, who co-wrote “Saving Silverman,” and Jared Hoffman, a

literary agent at Creative Artists Agency.

“He created a film and TV program like no other. A slew of kids

from Dallas are part of the next generation in Hollywood that would

never have come without him,” said his business partner Michael

Einfeld.

Smith, 26, said it was difficult for someone like himself who

hailed from Iowa to come to Hollywood when he was a teenager. But

Wargo made it a lot easier. He was like a father figure to him and

other young actors.

“Craig was the most giving and sensitive and humble and caring

person that I have met in the business,” Smith said. “He cared more

about their well being than their careers, about their health before

money.”

Wargo was preceded in death by his brother Ron in 1973. He is

survived by his mother, Terry, of Burbank; brothers, Randy, of San

Antonio, Texas, and Robert Jr. and Brian of Burbank; and sister, Mary

Lou Youngblood, of Huntington Beach.

Services are scheduled for noon Saturday at St. Charles Borromeo

Catholic Church, 10828 Moorpark St., North Hollywood. The eulogy will

be delivered by actress Heather Tom of “One Life to Live” and Chad

Allen of the longtime CBS series “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.”

A memorial fund has been set up in Wargo’s name. Contributions may

be sent to Chad Allen, 960 N. Ridgewood Place, Los Angeles, 90038.

Paul Anderson