| Irish-Americans Make Their Mark in Hit
HBO Series By Julie Grates
There has never been a shortage of Irish-Americans in the forever changing
rotation of the actors, directors, writers and producers who make up Hollywood.
Why, they have always been one of the most talented groups of people in
the history of the film industry, whether on the big screen or television!
It is no surprise then that HBO’s new break-out show Entourage features
Irish-Americans in various capacities. Both Kevin Dillon, the younger brother
of Matt Dillon, and Kevin Connolly co-star in the series. Also, writer/co-producer
Brian Burns, the brother of actor and director Ed Burns, was hired for the
show’s second season.
The show chronicles the hot new actor Vincent Chase (Adrien Grenier),
from Queens, New York, as he attempts to navigate Hollywood. He is joined
by his entourage (hence the title), featuring his manager Eric (Kevin Connolly),
his brother Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon), and his best friend Turtle (Jerry
Ferrara). The cast is completed with Jeremy Piven, who plays Vince’s agent,
Ari, who at many times during the series comes off as heartless and power
hungry.
Entourage did not enter its sophomore season quietly, since it has quickly
become one of the most popular series on HBO. In fact the June 5th season
premiere was the highest rated episode in the series’ history. Everything
on the second season of Entourage has been bigger, from the show’s budget
to more impressive guest stars. The show was shot in flashier places as
well. This year, a scene from one of the episodes took place at a live U2
show.
For now the stars of the show are embracing their new celebrity and are
getting used to being recognized more on a daily basis. “I was at a party
in the Hamptons this weekend with some buddies I grew up with,” Kevin Connolly
said to The New York Times in a recent article. “All of a sudden, they part
the way for us to get in and it’s like, ‘What can we do for you?’ So, yeah,
I guess the show is definitely registering.”
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