Dave Becky: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Dave Becky, Louis C.K’s longtime manager and the manager of other top comedians, is accused in a New York Times expose of trying to silence women who accused the comedian of sexual misconduct, accusations that Becky denies.

The Times accused Louis C.K. of asking women to watch him masturbate in work-related environments. There were no allegations made in the story of sexual misconduct by Becky; rather, women who accused Louis C.K. alleged that Becky was part of an effort to pressure them to stop telling people their stories. He denies threatening the women in any fashion. On November 10, Louis C.K. released a statement in which he admitted the accusations against him were true.

Among the accusers of Louis C.K. are Comedians Dana Min Goodman and Julia Wolov. The accusations against Louis C.K. are the latest to roil Hollywood as a chain reaction of exposure ignited after the downfall of mogul Harvey Weinstein (who also denies the string of allegations against him.) The exposures have resulted in the #metoo hashtag trend, in which people express their personal experiences with sexual abuse and harassment.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. The New York Times Accused Becky of Trying to Silence Louis C.K.’s Accusers & Becky Has Released a Statement Explaining Himself

The Times reports that women who accused Louis C.K. were “hoping that outrage would build against Louis C.K., and also to shame him, they began telling others about the incident the next day. But many people seemed to recoil…Soon after, they said they understood from their managers that Mr. Becky, Louis C.K’s manager, wanted them to stop telling people about their encounter with Louis C.K.”

According to The Times, “Lee Kernis, one of the women’s managers at the time, confirmed on Thursday that he had a conversation in which he told Mr. Becky that Louis C.K.’s behavior toward the women had been offensive. Mr. Kernis also said that Mr. Becky was upset that the women were talking openly about the incident.”

However, The Times reports that Becky “denied making any threats toward the women,” telling the newspaper, “I don’t recall the exact specifics of the conversation, but know I never threatened anyone.” According to Daily Variety, “The story also scrutinizes the behavior of C.K.’s longtime manager, Dave Becky, of 3 Arts Entertainment, suggesting that Becky used his clout in the comedy world to pressure women to not discuss their encounters with C.K.”

On November 13, Becky released a lengthy statement on the allegations. It started, “I profoundly regret and am deeply sorry for not listening to and not understanding what happened to Dana and Julia. If I had, I would have taken this event as seriously as it deserved to be, and I would have confronted Louis, which would have been the right thing to do…Albeit enormously embarrassing, in no way did I interpret the interaction as threatening or non-consensual. I misperceived the casual way the story was portrayed to me – instead I should have recognized that it must have been a mask for their unease and discomfort in the face of his detestable behavior.” You can read the full statement here.

2. Dave Becky Represents Some of the Top Stars in Hollywood

Louis C.K. is not the only big name that Dave Becky has represented. “He represents Amy Poehler, Kevin Hart, Hannibal Buress and Aziz Ansari. He’s a producer on Broad City, Better Things, Insecure, Difficult People and many more TV series and comedy specials. His company produces Great News, The Good Place, The Mick, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Silicon Valley, and… many more TV series and comedy specials. He is, in short, a Powerful Man In Hollywood,” reports Paste Magazine.

Becky’s biography on IMDB says, “Dave Becky is known for his work on Everybody Hates Chris (2005), The Hughleys (1998) and Louie (2010).” He has 48 credits as a producer, according to TV Guide. He’s also been nominated for several Emmy awards.

3. Becky Is Married With Three Children & His Wife’s Clients Include Top Stars

Dave Becky and his wife.

FX Network reports that Becky is married with children, writing, “Becky resides in Brentwood, California with his wife Lainie Sorkin and three children, Eve, Cash and Cruz.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lainie Sorkin Becker is a talent agent “whose clients include Miley Cyrus, Mary Steenburgen and Emily Deschanel.”

The trade magazine reported that “Management 360 has promoted manager Lainie Sorkin Becky to partner. The Chicago native, who grew up in Los Angeles, began her career at 3 Arts and joined Management 360 in 2005,” and it quoted her firm as saying, “Lainie has been a dedicated member of our team for nearly a decade, and has consistently shown both a keen eye for spotting new talent and a deftness in helping to guide her clients’ careers.”

The allegations against Louis C.K. are lurid. Dana Min Goodman and Julia Wolov, known as Dana & Julia, told the New York Times that the 50-year-old comedian asked them if he could take out his penis, and then, “proceeded to take all of his clothes off, and get completely naked, and started masturbating.” They weren’t the only accusers to come forward. Three other women are also accusing Louis C.K. of sexual misconduct, telling the Times what they say happened. Louis C.K. has long been rumored to have acted inappropriately sexually around women.

4. Becky Has Helped ‘Shepherd the Careers’ of Top Comedians

GettyLouis C.K.

Dave Becky is a partner at 3 Arts Entertainment, where, according to FX, he “plays an integral role in the development and production of both television and film properties, as well as shepherding the careers of some of today’s top actors, writers and comedians.”

The site notes, “In addition to Baskets, Becky currently produces FX’s Louie, FX’s Better Things, Amazon’s One Mississippi, Horace & Pete with Louis C.K. on LouisCK.net, Netflix’s Master Of None, HBO’s Insecure, Hulu’s Difficult People, NBC’s Maya and Marty, and Comedy Central’s Broad City and Hart of the City. Becky’s executive producing credits also include Everybody Hates Chris (UPN) and Real Husbands of Hollywood (BET). He is also producing the upcoming film Rock That Body (Sony Pictures).”

5. People on Social Media Criticized Dave Becky After the Allegations Arose

Although he denies threatening anyone, social media response to Becky’s mention in The New York Times was not kind. “Now…all those comedians being represented by Dave Becky, what are they doing? Please do something. Because I love most of them and I know they do good things and they have supported Louie but they need to publicly denounce him,” wrote on person on Twitter.

Others noted that Becky has worked with some of Hollywood’s top female comedians and called them out. “Amy, please reconsider yr working relationship with Dave Becky, regarding the Louis CK issue,” wrote one. Another man wrote, “Sad reality but many people around them who know are aspiring artists like you once we’re and fear for their own careers. Most people never get their chance, so when they have it they stay hush. That said, I’m not so bummed anymore that Dave Becky /3arts won’t read my script.”