UTA Head Of Fine Arts Josh Roth Dies

United Talent Agency announced the death of Joshua “Josh” Roth, the head of the company’s Fine Arts department Sept. 17. He was 40, according to Variety.

“Josh was a dear man and a great colleague, and we are devastated by his loss,” UTA chairman Jim Berkus and CEO Jeremy Zimmer said in a joint statement. “His friendships and contributions were deeply felt. He constantly inspired his colleagues and those he represented with his impeccable taste, thoughtfulness, creativity, and absolute dedication. Most importantly, Josh was a wonderful man—devoted to his family, kind in spirt, and generous in every way. UTA is heartbroken.”

Roth founded UTA Fine Arts in 2015. The division has represented artists like Ai Weiwei, Maurizio Cattelan, and Rashid Johnson, and gave them a gallery to present their work in the UTA Artist Space, which recently moved to a new location in Beverly Hills, just 200 yards from the main steps of UTA’s main office building.

Prior to his time at UTA Roth was an associate at Glaser Weil Fink Howard Avchent & Shapiro LLP, where he was chair of the Art Law department. 

Roth had said a main goal in leaving his career as a lawyer to work with UTA was to “offer the type of services that a company like ours provides for all clients. . . to find the right allies in the company who have the right resources, be it packaging, or financing, or creative.”

Roth was the son of CAA co-founder Steven Roth. Cause of death was not disclosed. 

Josh Roth is survived by his wife and three children.