Hunting with Barracudas: My Life in Hollywood with the Legendary Iris Burton

by Chris Snyder

Hollywood’s famous child star agent Iris Burton launched the careers of the world’s current movie stars and celebrities including Drew Barrymore, Tori Spelling, River and Joaquin Phoenix, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Johnny Depp, and Kirstin Dunst. But what was Iris Burton like to work for? Here now, her former employee Chris Snyder writes the true story of Hollywood’s most feared insider for the first time. Expect revelations, gossip, and the true seamy underside of Hollywood throughout the decades.

Genres: Film

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2009

Reviews

[Sara]

This book started off really good and funny, but halfway I started to get a bit bored with Chris and Iris' antics, and it was also a bit eerily scary how much Iris reminded me of my last boss a control freak lol.

[George]

Minor Spoilers:

Iris Burton was such a character. Chris really brought her to life.
Hollywood appears very seedy in how he describes it, but it was good to see Iris fought until the very end in an industry that had changed and moved on from agents like her.

Years later since having read it, I recall Chris story about his relationship and the Greek islands being a bit of a drag and could’ve been shortened but I didn’t hate it. Just a pacing/energy issue due to how funny Iris is.

Just as I thought when I read the book back in 2023, this book would be a very funny film/tv show from that period. Chris is a funny writer and it’s nice to know tidbits of what gay life was like in the 80s - 90s

I really enjoyed the book and now reviewing it three years later here I can safely say the book stuck with me. Would recommend.

2023, In pen written on a blank page of the book I gave it a 10/10, rating. So I’ll honour that original rating. If you love Hollywood gossip and drama from 80s, 90s and very early 2000s then this is for you.

[MsArdychan]

Chris Snyder writes a wicked book about his experiences as a hollywood agent. He sees first-hand how the system works, how agents calm down nervous stage mothers and studio heads alike. Chris finds himself under the tutelage of legendary agent Iris Burton. Her ego rivals this biggest stars and much of his job is to keep her on track as she wheels and deals with casting directors. I loved reading all the inside stories about her young stars. One of her biggest clients was River Phoenix. There are many anecdotes about him (and his brother Joaquin) that I have never heard. When River dies of a drug overdose, Iris is among the many devastated by his early demise. Although the setting is Hollywood, the story of a young person entering the world of business is really universal. All the strange requests, overtime, unwavering commitment that is demanded of a new employee is something most young people have experienced across diverse industries. This book is a great backstage pass.

[Courtney]

I couldn't help but feel sorry for the famous people in this book. I'm not sure they ever thought they would be fodder for this particular person's book. I did find the wheeling and dealings of it takes to get a deal done in the movie business interesting. This would probably be interesting for someone trying to leave an abusive relationship as well.

[John Reilly]

Some of the stories he relates are interesting (especially about River and Joaquin Phoenix) but the author's constant whining about his stress, health problems and financial problems caused by working for such a "horrible" woman becomes tiresome.

[Teddie]

I don't know how the author worked so long for this woman. It was a good book.