Everybody, seriously, don't waste your time on this LOSER, DOUG BENNETT. When I first got to LA and was MUCH more naive, I wasted HOURS waiting around in his office, taking the horrible headshots with all the different "character" looks he wanted, taking shitty, waste of time, classes from Johnny Sarno (who must be clinically insane, and is in no mental state to be teaching anyone anything)and in the end getting only 2 auditions over the course of more than a year. The worst part though, was that he was always making creepy, demeaning, sexual, comments and acted like this was his right since he was the 'agent' and I was the desperate wannabe actress. I know another girl who he talked into going out with him and hooking up with him with the promise of acting jobs. It got her nowhere but she did say that he keeps a gun under the seat of his car and would wave it at other drivers if he felt he was cut off, etc. This guy is SCARY and he's a PREDATOR. He's not going to do the work of a real agent, he will just WASTE YOUR TIME. It may be tempting to go meet with him if you've done a mass submission and he's the only one calling, you may feel like he's better than nothing. Trust me, he's NOT. I have a nice, normal agent now and the difference is night and day. This guy is DANGEROUS! DO NOT STAY AT HIS OFFICE AFTER HOURS, DO NOT RIDE IN HIS CAR! Ladies, if you're young and attractive he will try to get you do these things. STAY AWAY FROM HIM!

Oh Sotikbusta(Doug)....No retort or are you just kind of hoping this all goes away? You were so quick with comebacks before but it seems the more people who have crossed your path come out of the wood work, the less and less you have to say. I sure hope that's a registered handgun.

Are you kidding me? I would love to see the police reports filed against this alleged predator...I’m sure that nothing of the sort exists as this is straight up, unfounded slander. You people should be ashamed of yourselves!! Printing negative hearsay and outright ridiculous claims; and for what reason? Are your lives so empty, unfulfilled and/or pathetic that this is how you choose to spend your time? Perhaps you should spend your spare time forming improv troupes with friends and networking with successful people in “the industry". I haven't been on this site since my last comment and am honestly surprised at the amount of negativity posted about Doug. He has been a fantastic agent for me and I can only assume that the negative comments come from those that have been unsuccessful in the business. You all seem to have a lot of passion, so why not focus on improving (or beginning) your careers rather than slandering a wonderful agent that can't help if you are not/were not marketable. Unfortunately this is a tough business and not many will find success; you need to develop a thick skin and have persistence and patience, otherwise GO HOME. It's not always easy to hear that, but it's the simple truth. As a working actor, that's the best advice that I can give you.
Good luck to you all!
Morgan

Great advice, Morgan, for anyone persuing a career in this industry. Well said!!! Some other good advice is to STAY AWAY FROM DOUG BENNET!!!

Yeah, fantastic agent and Doug Bennet do not belong in the same sentence. Truly it is not unfounded slander.

I had a similar situation as many of you had mentioned in here. It can not be slander if so many of us had the same experience. I got called in by him to audition years ago when I first moved here. I submitted to many agencies and of course because I was non union, only called in by two. One of those being Doug. My appointment was for 4 pm. I assumed I would only be there for an hour max and had plans to get dinner after. I didn't get in his office until 4:45. We started talking and at about 5:15 or so Don Gerler came in to say good night and I heard the front door lock behind him! The lights also went out in the rest of the agency. He continues to talk about everything and anything not pertaining to me or my acting. He kept answering phone calls and swearing to different clients on the phone. Finally I did my monologue. I was fine,but he didn't even seem concerned if I did it or not. He was telling me about specific classes to take and books to buy. Also telling me to go to late night parties so I could be the next Paris or Pam Anderson. Told me to dress more sexy or revealing. By 7(yeah 3 hours later!!) I grew pissed and tried to walk out. He followed me to my car. I tried to ignore him and sped off while he said he would call me next week. I was starving and late for my dinner plans, very cold cause his office was freezing, and completely upset that anyone would waste my time that much. Please DO NOT waste your time and go there. Not worth it at all. Pretty creapy.

I can understand the concerns that many on this message board have.

However, I understand Doug's desire for his clients to get new photos. Nearly every agent requires it and every agent has their own preference for which photos work and who shoots them to their satisfaction. The photographer that comes most recommended is not unreasonable in price considering the number of looks he shoots, and reshoots if required are free. That's the agreement Doug has required of him. So if there is a problem, there isn't any backhanded forcing someone to spend an extra $50 here or there as someone erroneously mentioned in an earlier post. That just isn't the case.

Doug's in the process of selecting my photos now and I trust that things will continue to move smoothly from here on out. All of his existing clients that I have spoken to face to face say he is exacting about the photos, but that they work and he gets his clients out there and isn't that what really matters in the end.

Good luck. Try checking out IMDB pro if you haven't already. Take a look and see what he's done. If these other posts from past and one time prospective clients don't alarm you in the least then do your thing.

Please report back what happens.

Checking IMDBPro is good advice. When I was considering Doug, I emailed some of his clients (those that listed their emails on IMDBPro). I didn't get any good feedback from those that responded, which confirmed what I'd already been feeling about him.

I also met with his recommended photographer Raul Vega before I decided against going with Doug. The photos are about $700 for a session. You get a lot of looks but I very unimpressed with the quality of the examples he showed me. Many of the photos had lighting issues and shadows. They looked more like school portraits than headshots, imo.

I do not like speaking ill of others.. its not my style... but STAY AWAY from DOUG BENNETT!!!! He is very manipulating and loves to feed off of insecurities. He is malicious and does not listen to a word you say. All he does is try to make you feel bad. He will waste your time. The only good advice he does have IS about the head shots. I will gladly give credit when due. Take his advice on that and then run AWAY!!!! He will only slow you down with the circle he will have you run in. This is in no way an exaggeration. Simply read all the other testimonies before mine.

A word of warning to anyone who's been contacted by Doug Bennett for an interview:
DO NOT BOTHER GOING TO MEET THIS MAN!!!
I too read the disparaging comments online about him before our meeting, but decided that I should go and find out for myself. BIG MISTAKE! Like many of you, he WASTED my time & he INSULTED me & during our meeting. He is a seriously disturbed individual & I urge any of you who have been called by him to politely DECLINE!!! I know for a fact that he has a camera pointed at you while you are waiting, and waiting, and WAITING (!) in his "office", which I can't imagine is purely for safety's sake. Please, do yourself a favor and BE PATIENT & WAIT FOR A REAL AGENT to call you.

This is K-DOUG FM and the hits just keep on coming.

I think this chap should be reported to SAG. In fact I already have.

p.s. The camera in his waiting room is fake, just like him.

your in love with Doug arent you Kevin Bacon - your mad cause he won't love you back.

wow - Patientone is a dick

Goodness. Doug, stop creating new accounts and posting. If you were smart, you would stop updating this thread and keeping it at the top.

It's pretty clear from all the responses that Doug isn't a good agent.