Jason Winer's move to UTA positions him among the agency's top-tier television talent. With 22 episodes of 'Modern Family' under his belt and multiple awards, this signals a strategic consolidation of his representation as he ramps up development activity across Apple TV+, Netflix, and beyond.
Sources close to Winer say he's been quietly building Small Dog Picture Company into a serious production venture for the past few years. Landing at UTA — which has been aggressively expanding its directorial roster — suggests someone finally put the right pieces together for him after his previous agency setup limited his options.
Winer directed 22 episodes of 'Modern Family' across its 11-season run, winning Emmy as part of the producing team in 2010 and earning directing nominations for both the pilot (2009) and the episode 'Virgin Territory' (2012). He also executive produced Netflix's 'Vladimir,' starring Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall.
This is a smart acquisition for UTA — Winer brings awards credibility, an active development slate spanning five major platforms, and proven half-hour comedy instincts. After years of building behind the scenes, he's positioned for a serious push into marquee projects.
Jason Winer, the Emmy-winning director who shaped one of the defining comedies of the streaming era, has signed with United Talent Agency for representation across all areas — a significant move that positions him for an aggressive next chapter in television. Winer is best known as the director of the "Modern Family" pilot, which premiered on ABC in 2009, and as producing director for its first season. The series became an instant cultural touchstone, running for 11 seasons and cementing Winer's reputation as a half-hour comedy virtuoso.
He was part of the producing team that won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2010, and earned individual nominations for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for both the pilot episode and the 2012 installment "Virgin Territory." His accolades include Peabody, PGA, AFI, and Directors Guild Awards — a remarkable haul for a first-time network comedy director. All told, Winer directed 22 episodes of "Modern Family" during its decade-long run.
Beyond his legacy work on the Ty burre-ll co-created hit, Winer has been steadily expanding his portfolio under his Small Dog Picture Company production banner. Most recently, he executive produced Netflix's "Vladimir," starring Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall. He's also developing an untitled series for Apple TV+ starring Elizabeth Banks, working with writers Liz Heldens and Matt Ward — a project he's executive producing and directing.
His development slate extends to active pitches across Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Fox, and Universal Television, suggesting Winer has no intention of slowing down. His television credits span an impressive range: "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23," "Life in Pieces," "Single Parents," "Chad," "Perfect Harmony," and "1600 Penn," which he co-created. He also created and directed "The Santa Clauses" for Disney+ and musical drama "The Big Leap." On the feature side, Winer directed "Arthur" for Warner Bros. and "Ode to Joy" for IFC Films — proving his versatility extends beyond the half-hour format into mainstream theatrical releases.
Winer's roots run deep in comedy tradition. He double majored in performance studies and photography at Northwestern University, where he was part of the Mee-Ow Show comedy troupe, and studied under Del Close at Chicago's ImprovOlympic Theatre before transitioning from acting to directing. He continues to be represented by Mosaic and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich, Goodell & Gellman alongside his new UTA partnership.
