Doug Ellin remembers Debi Mazar’s years on Entourage very differently than she does.
The creator of the HBO series has publicly rejected Mazar’s claim that people working on the show disliked the weight she gained after having her second child. His response followed Mazar describing the set as increasingly “testosterone-fuelled” and saying it eventually became toxic for her.
“My thoughts are this is disgusting,” Ellin wrote on Sept. 1. He said neither he nor “anyone that matters” cared about or discussed Mazar’s body and added that he would fully support a woman becoming pregnant while working on one of his productions.
Mazar did not identify Ellin, a costar or any particular crew member when she said “they didn’t like that I got fat.” Her comments came during a wider interview about her life and career, leaving two sharply different accounts of what happened behind the scenes as Entourage moved beyond its early seasons.
Mazar Says the First Season Was a ‘Joy-Fest’ Before Things Changed
Mazar’s criticism was not a dismissal of her entire experience on the HBO series. She told The Times that Season 1 had been a “joy-fest,” but said the atmosphere felt very different by the third season. “In the third season, the set was a testosterone-fuelled environment,” Mazar said. “I’m tough, but it got toxic towards the end for me.”
She connected that period with the birth of her second daughter in March 2006. Mazar said she gained weight after the pregnancy and claimed “they didn’t like” the change, although she did not identify who she believed reacted negatively.
Mazar also described the situation as complicated by her willingness to speak up when she was unhappy. She said she remained professional and was grateful to have worked on the series, describing it as a lot of fun “until it wasn’t.”
Ellin Says Nobody Who ‘Matters’ Discussed Mazar’s Body
Ellin’s response concentrated on the weight allegation. He said he never cared about or discussed Mazar’s body and denied that anyone he considered significant to the production had done so either.
He then identified two actors whose physiques he did remember commenting on. Ellin said he wanted Adrian Grenier, who played Vincent Chase, to appear more muscular and Jerry Ferrara, who played Turtle, to be heavier.
Ellin now regrets the latter request. He said he did not understand the possible health consequences at the time and added that he is happy about Ferrara’s later physical transformation.
Mazar Had Called the Set ‘Misogynistic’ Years Earlier
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Mazar’s latest interview is not the first time she has described problems with the culture behind Entourage. During a 2020 appearance on PeopleTV’s Couch Surfing, she called the set “very testosterone-driven and misogynistic.”
She also remembered being uncomfortable with some of Shauna Roberts’ dialogue. Mazar said she could be foul-mouthed herself but that some lines written for the character were still enough to make her blush.
At the same time, she gave Ellin credit for the role itself, describing Shauna as a strong character and saying she was ultimately there to deliver whatever had been written for her.
Mazar began as a recurring player in Season 1 and joined the main cast in Season 2. She remained associated with the series throughout its 2004-2011 run and returned as Vincent Chase’s publicist in the 2015 Entourage movie.