<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Website </Td> </Tr> <P> Entourage is an American comedy - drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004 and concluded on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons . The series was created and largely written by Doug Ellin and chronicles the acting career of Vincent Chase, a young A-list movie star, and his childhood friends from Queens, New York City, as they attempt to further their nascent careers in Los Angeles . </P> <P> Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson served as the show's executive producers, and its premise is loosely based on Wahlberg's experiences as an up - and - coming film star . The series deals with themes of male friendship and real - life situations in modern - day Hollywood . The show is known for its array of famous guests, having featured several actors, athletes, and other celebrities in guest star and cameo roles, often playing fictionalized versions of themselves . </P> <P> According to Mark Wahlberg, Entourage was initially conceived when his assistant asked if he could film Wahlberg and his friends, calling them "hilarious ." Other reports credit Eric Weinstein, a long - time friend of Wahlberg, with the idea of filming the actor's group of friends . However, according to Donnie Carroll, who was the inspiration for the Turtle character, the idea for a show involving an actor and his friends had come from him . It had originated as a book idea, centered on Carroll's own life and his experiences with Wahlberg, titled From the' Hood to Hollywood, A Soldier's Story . </P>

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