From New Mexico, Adrian Grenier is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Vincent Chase in the HBO comedy drama, Entourage. A former student at Bard College, he landed his first acting role at the age of twenty three in the independent film, Arresting Gena (1997). Over the next few years, he appeared in several other movie titles including Celebrity (1998), Drive Me Crazy (1999), Harvard Man (2001), and Hart’s War (2002). However, it wasn’t until 2004 that he first rose to fame after being cast in the TV series, Entourage.
Born on July 10, 1976 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Adrian Grenier is the son of John Dunbar and Karesse Grenier. Raised entirely by his mother (his parents were never married), he went to Fiorello H. LaGuitardia High School, a school that focused on the performing and visual arts in Manhattan, New York. Following his graduation in 1994, he went to Bard College briefly before dropping out to pursue an acting career.
Adrian Grenier Before His Breakthrough
Shortly afterwards, he landed his first acting role in the drama film, Arresting Gena (1997). From there, he appeared as a punk in Hurricane Streets (1998), before co-starring in the comedy drama, The Adventures of Sebastian Cole (1998) alongside Margaret Colin, Clark Gregg, Gabriel Macht, and Aleksa Palladino. His first significant role, Grenier played none other than the film’s title character, Sebastian Cole. Though reviews were mixed at best, it’s a noteworthy credit from his early career nonetheless.
A year later, he starred alongside actress Melissa Joan Hart in the teen romantic comedy, Drive Me Crazy (1999). Directed by John Schultz, it revolved around the lives and relationship of two next door neighbors, Nicole and Chase. A moderate hit at the box office, the film grossed $22.5 million from a budget of $8.5 million budget. Despite this however, it was mostly panned by critics.
Over the next few years, Grenier continued to appear in a few B-list films including Cecil B. Demented (2000), Harvard Man (2001), Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001), Love in the Time of Money (2002), and Hart’s War (2002)- unfortunately, most of these movies ended up being commercials flops.
How Adrian Grenier Became Famous
Several film roles later, the actor landed a breakthrough after being cast as one of the lead protagonists in the HBO comedy drama, Entourage. Written and created by Doug Ellin, the series premiered on July 18, 2004 to millions of viewers in the United States. Grenier’s most well known performance to date, he played the part of Vincent Chase, a young A-list movie star who alongside his friends, navigate the unfamiliar territory of Los Angeles. Other members of the main cast included Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara, Jeremy Piven, Perrey Reeves, and Debi Mazar, among others.
Known for its array of famous guest stars, including other actors and athletes, Entourage garnered positive reviews from critics during the majority of its run on television; for instance, both The Wall Street Journal and Entertainment Weekly gave the show favorable ratings. As it is with most popular series, the HBO drama ultimately ended up being renewed for multiple seasons; in total, there were 96 episodes over a span of eight seasons, from 2004 to 2011. Of course, Grenier starred in all 96 episodes.
For his portrayal of the lead role, the actor received much recognition including a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, a Golden Nymph Award nomination, an ASTRA Award nomination, and three Teen Choice Award nominations. The show itself, was also critically acclaimed, with 26 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, among which there were six wins. Not only that, but it also received 14 Golden Globe Award nominations during its seven-year run.
Adrian Grenier’s Other TV/Film Roles
Though he’s best known for playing Vincent Chase in Entourage, Grenier has also appeared in a few other series including Alter Eco (2008), Vietnam in HD (2011), and Miles from Tomorrowland (2015), the last of which was a voice-acting role. Most recently, he starred in a made-for-television film called, Love at First Glance (2017).
As for the big screen, the actor has appeared in several movies over the past few years including Sex, Death and Bowling (2015), Trash Fire (2016), Marauders (2016), and Arsenal (2017). Like his earlier films however, most of the titles did not perform so well at the box office.
According to IMDb, he will be portraying a character in the upcoming movie, Public Affairs (2017).
Adrian Grenier’s Other Ventures
In 2009, he launched his own app for both Android and iPhone platforms- called Ecohero, it uses barcode-scanning technology to help consumers weight a product’s possible impacts on health and the environment. Not only that, but the app also allowed users access to a eco-encyclopedia and carbon calculator.
In 2012, he also teamed up with Justin Hawkins, a former designer for Nike to establish the Churchkey Can Company, a microbrewery based in Seattle.
Adrian Grenier’s Philanthropic Efforts
In 2015, Grenier created the Lonely Whale Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to protect both marine life and the ocean environment. That same year, it was also announced that he’d become the first Social Good Advocate for Dell computers.
Some of the other organizations that he’s worked wtih in the past include Little Kids Rock, React to Film, and the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture.
Adrian Grenier’s Snapchat Name – adrianducontra
You’ll be happy to know that the Entourage star is in Snapchat! If you’d like to add Adrian Grenier to your friend’s list on the app, simply click here.
Adrian Grenier’s Other Social Media Accounts
Adrian Grenier’s Facebook Account
Want to follow the actor on Facebook? Head on over to his official page at @AdrianGrenierOfficial and give him a like- that’s all there is to it!
Adrian Grenier’s Twitter Account
For the latest news and announcements, be sure to follow Grenier on Twitter as well- you can find his official account at @adriangrenier. He’s already gotten himself over 370,000 fans on the site!
Adrian Grenier’s Instagram Account
Aside from Facebook and Twitter, he’s also on Instagram! If you’re interested in seeing some behind the scene photos/videos, go follow him over at @adriangrenier.
Adrian Grenier’s Youtube Account
Unfortunately, it does not look like the actor has a Youtube channel at this time.
