The Mark Wahlberg connection
“We are gonna get drunk with Russell Crowe and we’re gonna head-butt some goddamn kangaroos.” – Ari Gold, Entourage.
We hope you enjoy these Entourage facts and relive some of our favorite moments from the show!
The show is loosely based on Mark Wahlberg’s past, with characters woven from real people in the actor’s life.
Water for movies
The idea was initially conceptualized as a documentary, but was later developed into a satirical look at the Hollywood lifestyle.
What’s in a name?
Vince Chase’s big break film Aquaman was actually based on Mark Wahlberg’s first big blockbuster The Perfect Storm – just one of the many ways the actor’s life is laced into the show
Turns out Vincent Chase is actually named after actor Vince Vaughn. Creator Doug Ellin initially had his sights set on Vaughn to play the lead, but when those plans fell through he simply decided to pay an homage to the actor through the main character’s name.
How to deal with rejection
Surprise!
Funnily enough, the initial script pitch for Entourage was rejected by HBO. It started off in the midst of Vince’s career downfall and was way more broody, the network executives advised Ellin to make it less depressing and bam!
Where’s Vince?
Now, we have an Entourage we love and cherish.
The series’ creators really struggled to find someone to play Vince’s character convincingly. The actor had to be believable as a potential star, without actually being one.
The Obama cameo
Casting Adrian Grenier in the lead was a huge departure from the initial idea for the character, since he wouldn’t be able to carry off Wahlberg’s demeanour. But Grenier ended up making the character his own and everybody walked away happy anyway.
You may not believe it, but the former president of the United States of America – Barack Obama – was asked to make a cameo appearance on the show, which he declined.
On the Obama note
Can we just take a moment to imagine how incredible it would have been if Obama agreed?
On the subject of Barack Obama, the former president has stated in an interview that Entourage is one of his favourite shows – along with The Wire. This only confirms that his cameo-that-could-have-been would have been spectacular.
Let’s shift focus
If only… If only.
This may be surprising, but Vince was not initially supposed to be the focus of the show.
The casa de porn
E (or Eric) was the chosen lead during the early conceptualization of the series – pretty tough to imagine this now, right?
The apartment building used as Drama’s home in the fourth season of the show happens to contain the real-life home of porn star Ron Jeremy. The actor would actually often visit the set on filming days.
The casa de porn
Now, we wonder if any of the Entourage actors visited Jeremy’s sets…
Only Ari can hire Ari
The character of Ari Gold is based on the real-life talent agent Ari Emanuel, who demanded that Jeremy Piven should play him – so much so, that he allegedly made a phone call from a plane in China insisting HBO hammer out a deal with the actor or he’d want his name erased from the show.
Pre-fame cameos
The character of Ari Gold is based on the real-life talent agent Ari Emanuel, who demanded that Jeremy Piven should play him – so much so, that he allegedly made a phone call from a plane in China insisting HBO hammer out a deal with the actor or he’d want his name erased from the show.
Many actors got a taste of the spotlight by appearing on Entourage – before they were famous – like Leighton Meester, Sofia Vergara, Rainn Wilson, Ken Jeong and Gal Gadot.
The hugging line
Going over all the celebrity cameos on the show would take a much longer list.
Ari Gold’s famous line “Let’s hug it out, b****” is considered of TV’s top catchphrases, but its origins are a little less known. Rumour has it, that it came from an unscripted moment between Piven and Connelly, after the former heard that Connelly doesn’t like physical contact.
Boxing match that never stops
Either way, the results were hilarious.
This is kind of funny, but whenever there is a boxing match on TV in the show – it’s the exact same fight. Literally.
Some side money
It’s the same. Maybe HBO couldn’t afford cable television?
Kevin Dillon (Drama) and Jerry Ferrara (Turtle) both appeared as their characters in a series of commercials for the video game Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, where they played valets moonlighting as racers.
The nameless wife
Can’t blame them for making some side money off Entourage.
Ari Gold’s wife remains nameless throughout the show, being referred to only as “Mrs. Ari” or “Mrs. Gold”.
Inside jokes
It wasn’t until season 6, that we finally find out her name is Melissa. They kept the mystery alive for quite a while though, right?
In season 4, Turtle asks Drama if he’s ever seen the TV show 24, when in real-life the actor Kevin Dillon (who plays Drama) has been in several episodes of that series.
An unflattering impression
Just some friendly winks at the real lives of the actors on Entourage.
The famously anger-prone producer Harvey Weinstein did not exactly enjoy being parodied by a character on Entourage named Harvey Weingard – he event confronted Connelly about the “doppelganger” at a party. Alas, the show’s creators got the last laugh, when they decided to write the confrontation with Connelly into the show, which Mr.
A very realistic fake
Weinstein actually enjoyed. Persevere and you shall succeed!
Vince’s fictional film Medellin in season 4 had a fake trailer and even used to have its own website (http://www.medellinthefilm.com, now defunct), containing the synopsis and film stills.
The boss’ son
That’s some dedication, eh?
Ari Gold’s son, Josh, is played by creator Doug Ellin’s actual son. Entourage seems like a tight-knit family indeed.
One medium azzip, please
Must have been a little eerie to direct your own son though.
In the opening sequence, there is a pizza shop with a backwards sign reading “azzip.” It’s changed in season 4 to read correctly.
Old friends make new characters
Somebody probably finally took to proofreading the opening sequence…
In season 5, Ari Gold calls up his old college roommate Peter Berg to try and convince him to direct Smoke Jumpers. Well, Ari Emanuel’s roommate in college was actually Peter Berg.
Hometown feels galore
One of the many ways, the show ties in real experiences into the storyline.
The license plate on the 1965 Lincoln Continental driven in the opening sequence of Entourage is a reference to the gang’s hometown. The plate reads “QSV 11427” – which is the postal code and abbreviation of Vince’s hometown of Queen’s Village, New York.
Mind blown!