Doug Ellin Director/Writer/Producer HBO’s “Entourage” DOUG ELLIN (Director/Writer/Producer) created and executive produced the long running hit HBO series “Entourage,” on which his feature film of the same name is based. Ellin moved to Hollywood from his native New York in 1990 to become a stand- up comedian. While working the circuit at comedy club mainstays including The Improv and The Comedy Store, Ellin took a position in the mailroom of New Line Cinema. It was through this connection to New Line’s production head Michael DeLuca that Ellin's career was able to take off, albeit in a different direction. After seeing Ellin's stand-up routine, DeLuca partially funded Ellin's comedic short film, “The Pitch,” which he wrote and directed, starring David Schwimmer, Ernie Hudson and Jonathan Silverman. The film went on to air on Showtime. Following this, Ellin was accepted as a director into the American Film Institute's prestigious Conservatory program, which he attended from 1991 to 1992. Ellin next wrote and directed another comedy short, “The Waiter,” starring Schwimmer, Jon Cryer, Paul Gleeson, Laraine Newman and Allen Garfield. In 1996, Ellin's low-budget independent film, “Phat Beach,” made its debut, starring Jermaine Hopkins, Brian Hooks and Coolio, among others. Ellin's follow- up film, “Kissing a Fool,” once again starred Schwimmer, along with Bonnie Hunt and a cast of up-and-coming stars, including Mili Avital, Jason Lee and newcomer Judy Greer. The film was released in 1998. While continuing to write and develop feature film and television projects, Ellin joined forces with Mark Wahlberg and Steve Levinson and created “Entourage,” which is loosely based upon their shared Hollywood experiences. The series, which completed its eighth and final season for HBO in 2011, was a critical and audience hit. Additionally, the series has been nominated for numerous awards, including Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Television Series, Writers Guild of America Awards, Emmy Awards, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, Producers Guild Awards and Directors Guild Awards. .