10/28/2011 11:45 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Kevin Connolly
'Johnny Bananas' Lawsuit is
a Heap of Monkey Crap

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Kevin Connolly thinks the MTV star who's suing "Entourage" is a frickin' moron -- claiming there's no way in hell the show could've ever stolen the name Johnny Bananas from him.

Connolly was leaving Dan Tana's in Hollywood last night ... when he told us, "I think he's crazy ... he's bananas if he thinks he's gonna get the money."

TMZ broke the story ... former "Real World" star Johnny Devenanzio recently filed a lawsuit against the people behind "Entourage" ... claiming he owns the rights to the name Johnny Bananas, because he used the nickname during his stint on MTV. 

Devenanzio claims "Entourage" was blatantly attempting to "capitalize on the name recognition" when they ran a storyline in which Johnny Drama voices a cartoon monkey named Johnny Bananas.

Drama.

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Celebrity Justice
10/5/2011 8:45 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

MTV Reality Star
Sues HBO Over Johnny Bananas
I WARNED YOU!!!

Johnny Devenanzio
Johnny Bananas
wasn't monkeying around after all ... because the MTV reality star has made good on his threats to sue the people behind "Entourage" for allegedly stealing his nickname to fuel a storyline.

TMZ broke the story ... former "Real World" star Johnny Devenanzio had fired off a cease and desist letter to HBO back in August, claiming producers blatantly tried to "capitalize on the name recognition which I'm solely responsible for creating."

Apparently, HBO neither ceased nor desisted ... because Johnny D. filed a lawsuit in NY against HBO, Time Warner, and "Entourage" creator Doug Ellin.

In case you gave up on "Entourage" ... Johnny Drama agreed to be the voice of an animated TV show called "Johnny's Bananas" ... in which the characters are all apes, gorillas, and other primates ... it was sorta funny.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Johnny claims he "has undergone tremendous emotional distress that has been intentionally inflicted upon plaintiff by defendants' unwarranted, unauthorized, and unjustified use of plaintiff's name and characterization in an offensive and disparaging manner in named 'Entourage'."

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9/13/2011 3:15 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Ari Gold's 'Entourage' Wife
Hot on TV ... Hot in Real Life

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"Entourage" star Perrey Reeves looks DAMN good in a bathing suit -- whether she's frolicking on the beach in Hawaii (above) ... or showing off her amazing assets during the show's finale (below).

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So, about that finale -- we gotta ask ...

Celebrity Justice
8/2/2011 7:50 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Johnny Bananas:
NO "HALF-ASS APE"
IS GONNA STEAL MY IDENTITY

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MTV reality star Johnny Devenanzio -- aka Johnny Bananas -- tells TMZ ... he's VERY serious about his beef with "Entourage" claiming, "I'll be damned if some half-ass ape is gonna come and steal my identity."

TMZ broke the story ... the former "Real World" star is threatening to sue HBO over the "Johnny's Bananas" storyline on "Entourage" -- claiming he owns the rights to the name, and never gave permission for the show to use it.

Johnny was out at Beso in L.A. last night ... and told us, "It's not like I spilled hot coffee on my vagina and I'm trying to make a buck off of it ... my identity has been stolen man."

He adds, "I've been on television for the last 5 years, acting like a jerk-off, creating this name, making it a household name, and I'll be damned if some half-ass gorilla is gonna come by and steal my thunder."


Celebrity Justice
8/1/2011 2:57 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

MTV Star Threatens 'Entourage'
I'm The REAL Johnny Bananas!

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An MTV reality star is threatening to sue the people behind "Entourage" -- claiming the show stole his nickname, "Johnny Bananas" ... and used it to fuel a storyline without his permission.

In case you gave up on "Entourage" ... Johnny Drama recently agreed to be the voice of an animated TV show called "Johnny's Bananas" ... in which the characters are all apes, gorillas, and other primates (above right, below right).

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Problem is, former "Real World" star Johnny Devenanzio (pictured above left) says he's been going by the name "Johnny Bananas" on various MTV shows since 2006 ... and claims he owns the rights to the name.

Now, Johnny Bananas -- the human -- got himself a lawyer ... who fired off a cease and desist letter to HBO, the network behind "Entourage."

In the letter, Johnny's attorney Stephanie Ovadia writes, "If you do not cease and desist ... you leave us little option but to seek judicial intervention."

Johnny tells TMZ he believes the name controversy is "in no way coincidental and is instead an attempt to capitalize on the name recognition which I'm solely responsible for creating."

He adds, "I intend to fight vigorously in defense of the years of hard work and dedication I've spent making Johnny Bananas a household name, and the purpose of this lawsuit is aimed at protecting the integrity of my brand."

UPDATE: A spokesperson for HBO tells TMZ the folks at "Entourage" have not received "any correspondence regarding this matter."


Who'd You Rather?
7/30/2011 3:44 PM PDT BY Johnny Lopez

Vincent Chase vs. Turtle
Who'd You Rather?

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"Entourage" pals Adrian Grenier (aka Vincent Chase) and newly fit hunk Jerry Ferrara (aka Turtle) both shared the stage at an event in L.A. the other day.

Question is ...

TMZ TV
6/22/2011 12:02 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

'Entourage' Star -- Crash Course on 'Carmageddon'

"Entourage" star Jerry Ferrara just got blindsided ... by CARMAGEDDON -- the absolutely apocalyptic upcoming closing of ONE Los Angeles freeway!!  Oh, the humanity.062111_TV_jerry_still



Check out TMZ on TV -- click here to see your local listings!


Beauty
5/30/2011 12:05 AM PDT BY Johnny Lopez

'Entourage' Star -- Turtle Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Fame has really changed "Entourage" star Jerry Ferrara ... to the point where he's almost  unrecognizable from his baseball cap and oversized sports jersey days.

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The now svelte and stylish 31-year-old has become a very cute shell of his former self.

Move over Vincent Chase, Turtle is the new star in town.

TMZ Sports
4/8/2011 2:24 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

'Entourage' Star -- I Want to Own a Piece of The Mets

"Entourage" star Kevin Connolly is in the midst of a major league business deal -- because dude says he's interested in buying stake in a professional sports team ... the New York Mets.040811_kevin_connelly_still_v3



Connolly was out yesterday in L.A., where he admitted he's "involved with a group of guys" who are trying to buy a piece of the MLB franchise.

Connolly's investment team reportedly includes two heavy hitters from "Entourage" -- the show's executive producer Doug Ellin and his co-star Kevin Dillon -- along with a few other deep-pocketed baseball fans.

E would be proud.

11/24/2010 5:05 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF

Wahlberg's Right-Hand Man -- The Real E ... On Tape!

He doesn't look anything like E from the show ... whatsoever -- but according to the strange man riding shotgun with Mark Wahlberg, he's the guy who inspired the famous character from "Entourage."

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Wahlberg and Eric "The Real E" Weinstein hit the streets in L.A. on Monday -- and Weinstein tells TMZ, it's really true ... he's been working with Mark for nearly 18 years ... and they do everything together.

Sorry, Drama.


2/15/2010 3:00 PM PST BY TMZ STAFF

Jeremy Piven -- How to Beat a Hangover ...

Jeremy Piven understands the pain of a booze induced headache, but the "Entourage" star has the perfect cure ... one that would even make Matthew McConaughey blush.

Jeremy Piven: Click to watch

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