Entourage (2004 — 2011)

Entourage revolves around Vincent Chase. His best friend and manager is Eric Murphy. “E,” as his friends call him, is based on Mark Wahlberg’s friend and executive producer Eric Weinstein. He’s also been reported to be inspired by Stephen Levinson, Mark Wahlberg’s manager. Vincent’s older half-brother, Johnny “Drama” Chase, is Vince’s personal chef, trainer and bodyguard. Johnny is a C-list actor who was in the fictional show Viking Quest during his younger days. His role in the new fictional hit show Five Towns had begun to resurrect his fame and career, although he still received less acknowledgment than he would have liked for it. As the show went on, Drama got offers for more and more roles. The show ended with Drama having his own animated TV show called “Johnny’s Bananas” and him landing a new TV movie with the help of Vince. Drama’s character is based on Johnny “Drama” Alves (cousin of Mark Wahlberg), whom Donnie Wahlberg had hired to keep his younger brother out of trouble.

Rounding out the entourage of friends is Salvatore “Turtle” Assante, who is another of Vince’s old friends from childhood. Turtle’s official role is as Vince’s driver and assistant, though his value as such is often brought into question. This character is based on Wahlberg’s former “gofer” Donnie Carroll aka “Donkey”. Carroll auditioned for the role, but the Boston native was turned down when it was decided the actors would have to be New Yorkers. Carroll died on December 18, 2005, after an asthma attack.