Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffrey Umberger.
Jeffrey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a former Actor, turned Talent Agent. I was a mCasting Producer for 2 seasons on DIY Network’s Mega Dens, and scouted for the TV series Collector Inspector on HGTV, and Breathing Room on Fine Living Network. Later, I began working in commercial casting and film with Casting Director Kris Redding, eventually transitioning into a career as a talent agent. I now own Umberger Agency, with one of the most respected voice over talent rosters in the country, representing voice talent in virtually every US state and a total of 7 countries globally. Our talent list includes actresses Jasmine Guy and Dee Wallace, TV icon Tony Dow of Leave It To Beaver, CNN Anchor Martin Savidge, and Michael Winslow of Police Academy fame with his voice of 10,000 sound effects.
My background in entertainment stretches back 35 years. Along with a successful acting career, I was a musician who enjoyed a long career as a society pianist in Beverly Hills and Atlanta, most notably performing Jazz and Classical at the legendary flagship hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. As a composer, I scored music for the Billy Dee Williams film Good Neighbor, The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, and a short film by South Park animator Dustin Woehrmann, among other credits. In 2003, I opened my award-winning photography company, Jeddy Photo. My architectural photography was purchased as set-design for the TV sitcom House of Payne. In addition to my acting credits on IMDb, television appearances include Arsenio Hall’s World’s Funniest Moments, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne. I have voice-consulted for on-air talent at CNN, contribute a monthly expert advice column for Backstage Magazine, and I am a frequent judge for the Miss Georgia and Miss Tennessee Pageants with Greenwood Productions.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When starting one’s own business, there almost assuredly will be some hurdles and struggles. It’s very easy to open the doors, or at least in my case it was, but to keep the doors open is definitely tricky at times. I would say opening Umberger Agency was a smooth process and a very hopeful one, although after a couple of years of growing the business our family suffered some serious health setbacks as well as the sudden death of my Father, unfortunately. This meant it became necessary to move my Mother into our home, and we were quick to realize she needed constant 24-hour care due to dementia.
This was both a blessing and a distraction, to say the least. I wouldn’t have traded the gift of caring for her for anything, however, the with the stress and strain which caring for such a disease takes on one’s caregiver you can certainly understand how it distracted from any growth in a business which at the same time was requiring the same 24-hour ‘care’ or attention. Though, one rarely accomplishes true success alone. I had tremendous support both at home with my spouse and from an amazing family and network of friends and combined, we all worked to help keep things moving. I believe as time has marched on that the growth of the company has persevered, still thanks in part to the help and support of the same loving people.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Umberger Agency is a nationally recognized Voice Over Talent Agency. We represent voice talent in all fields of the entertainment and media business, including animation, narration, commercial, radio, film, television, promo, and celebrity. If you hear a voice over a picture when watching a documentary or your favorite cartoon or an announcement of a summer blockbuster movie soon to be released in theaters, chances are you could be hearing one of Umberger Agency’s voices doing the honors. With our headquarters here in the great city of Atlanta, we are right in the middle of one the top 3 Film and TV producing states in the world. Plus, due to the digital nature of the business of Voice Over now and thanks to new technology, our agency and its esteemed roster of professional Voice Talent are accessible to clients and buyers from anywhere in the world. I am super proud that our award-winning talent (Emmy, Addy, Telly, Audie, etc.) are able to realize their dreams of being working Voice Over talent and doing what they love best, and earning a living at it. We have just announced the opening of our youth division, Mini-Bergers, and we couldn’t be more proud and excited about this.
Each Mini-Berger who books a Voice Over with our agency will be given the distinction of becoming a ‘Slider’! With Cartoon Network here in our beautiful city, we are blessed to have our talent’s abilities utilized and honored for the opportunities right here in our own back yard.
What were you like growing up?
My siblings and I are Atlanta Natives. I am part-2 of a set of identical twins. My Brother, Saint Keith, is three minutes older and my rock. We have a beautiful sister, Dori, who put up with our brotherly needling, pranks, and jokes. When you have a twin, you have a built-in partner in crime, hehe. Two against one. Not fair, but hey…them’s the brakes. I was always a bit of a sensitive personality, constantly trying to find the harmony (AND cleanliness) in life. I was a bit OCD growing up when it came to germs and a neat house.
At seven years old, I cleaned the bathroom and defied anyone to go in until all surfaces were dry. I wanted our home to be like the one on Leave It To Beaver. Interesting that I would grow up to represent ‘Wally Cleaver’. (Tony Dow). A strange irony. But aside from that little quirk of childhood personality, I was basically a little version or Jerry Lewis, my hero, and was always compared to Gilliagan. So let’s just say I tried to be funny, and was probably goofier than anything else. I played piano from age 6, and always seemed to dream of playing for people while they ate. I played piano in the lunchroom during lunch in grammar school. Looking back, it might have been a good idea based on what I remember about the lunchroom food. We grew up on Lake Lanier from ages 9 to 18, so that made for an amazing childhood filled with playing in the surrounding woods like explorers as well as many days spent water skiing and swimming. Truly great memories. We are extremely fortunate to have great loving and adventurous parents.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.umbergeragency.com
- Email: umbergersubmissions@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UmbergerAgency/
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