'Entourage's' Rex Lee Talks about Return of HBO Hit

Actor Rex Lee, who plays Lloyd, Ari Gold's often abused assistant, was online

Thursday, July 9 at 3 p.m. ET

to talk about the return of HBO's hit show 'Entourage' and answer your questions about the upcoming season.

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Anonymous: Wow! You lost a lot of weight and look good! Please share your secret how you did it.

My family is a big fan and we're originally from the Philippines. Are you by any chance Filipino?

We can't wait to see you on July 12!

Thank you!

Rex Lee: Thank you. The truth is I have gained weight, so if you think that I look like I lost weight I am grateful to the wardrobe department for doing such a good job hiding it.

My parents are from Korea.

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Sarasota, Fla.: Where did you train and how is your training informing the character of Lloyd?

Rex Lee: I was attending Oberlin College. I was a music major. Halfway through the program, I realized I really had no interest in being a professional musician. I floundered for a little while. I knew I had a huge impulse to be creative but I didn't really know how to express that impulse in the wake of quitting the piano. I started studying dance and for the briefest moment I became known for being a person that was trying to be really involved in the dance department. Then, I took my very first acting class and a light bulb went off in my head. I thought to myself, "You know, when I was three years old I used to say I wanted to be an actor. I never realized how much I meant it!" I graduated and moved back to Los Angeles (where my family has lived for years) and I started studying privately with various acting teachers.

Oberlin was a place where the students had a strong belief in graduate school, so I always thought I would attend drama school, but I had a very influential teacher in those early years who said, "I have been to drama school. You don't need to go to drama school. You just need to learn how to act."- which, at the time, I thought was the most profound thing I had ever heard. I studied with that guy on off for the next twelve years.

My training informs my work every day in every way. The most basic considerations I have about Lloyd or a particular scene start with what I think acting is about and what I think a scene is about.

If that answer seems like a generalization, I apologize. Acting is complicated and the full answer is so long that I felt like broad strokes was the only answer I could give and still feel good about my response.

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Bethesda, Md.: As a big fan of the show, I have to say that the Ari-Lloyd dynamic is the best thing about it. And without Lloyd as a foil to show his best & worst tendencies, Ari is just an entertaining loudmouth. Kudos and thanks--your work is very much appreciated.

Rex Lee: THANK YOU!

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San Francisco: I love your character! Will Lloyd be standing up to Ari more this season? It is so entertaining when your character jabs him back.

Rex Lee: Lloyd is definitely standing up for himself this coming season... and Ari is very often in the room at the time.

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Dayton, Ohio: is Lloyd based on a real-life gofer and, if so, what is his name and agency?

Rex Lee: Not that I know of- but I might not know everything

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Cantonment, Fla.: What's your favorite scene you've ever shot?

Who's your favorite Spice Girl?

Rex Lee: the scene in Lloyd's car with my big speech

Today I am leaning towards Posh Spice. A couple of years ago I probably would have said Scary Spice. During their hey day I probably dug Baby Spice

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Philadelphia, Pa.: What is this I hear about the dangers of eating too much tuna? Should I cut back from eating it four times a day?

Rex Lee: Yes, eating anything four times a day is probably not good. In everything, exercise moderation

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San Jose, Calif.: I love Lloyd!! Rex, is it true you will be getting a promotion and no longer Ari's assistant??

Rex Lee: I definitely would not say that I, as Lloyd, receive a promotion- at least not how I would define a promotion!

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Chicago: No question; just wanted to tell you you're my favorite actor on TV today. Thanks for being you!

Rex Lee: I love it! Thank you!

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Philadelphia: The majority of your scenes on the show focus on your relationship with Ari (Jeremy Piven.) Is there another character on the show that you would like to work with more, or another actor outside of the show that you want to work with?

Rex Lee: I would agree with your assessment that I work with Jeremy the majority of the time, but I do get to work with the "boys" (Adrian, Kevin, Kevin, and Jerry) some of the time- so my answer would be: I would love to have scenes with Constance Zimmer (Dana Gordon)

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Washington, D.C.: Will Lloyd ever get out from underneath Ari's thumb and advance his career?

Rex Lee: Lloyd is extremely ambitious. This season he will definitely try his hardest to advance.

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Philadelphia: Lloyd is my favorite character on tv. Period. And the Ari-Lloyd relationship is one of the best currently on tv. Welcome back.

Rex Lee: Thank you! It is great to be back! I am so excited for people to see the new episodes!

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Hartford, Conn.: Please comment on Jeremy Piven and the mercury poisoning. Do you find him difficult to work with? When does the new season start? When do you get to ride in the Lincoln in the opening credits?

Rex Lee: Between meeting Jeremy at the end of 2004 and the mercury poisoning controversy at the end of 2008, i witnessed him eating fish or sushi twice a day or more on several occasions. I think the mercury poisoning was definitely possible.

I find Jeremy very easy to work with- we have a great working relationship

New episodes start July 12 on HBO. I do not expect to ever be in the Lincoln.

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New York, N.Y.: How often, if ever, have people stopped you and stated something like "you know, something happened to me that was just like your on your show...."?

Rex Lee: very often- Disturbingly often!

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Washington, DC: Thank you for your outstanding work on Entourage! In studying your character, have you ever spoken with any of the assistants to Ari Emmanuel (off of whom "Ari Gold" is based)?

Rex Lee: I have never sought out a former or current assistant of Ari Emanuel for the purpose of research, but I have been approached at events by people claiming to be former or current assistants of Mr. Emanuel. We talk briefly about their experiences, but it turns out there's not a whole lot to say when you have a gripe with your boss- the more unpleasant it is, the less you want to talk about it

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Washington, D.C.: Rex, was Lloyd a difficult transition from other roles you've had in the past?

Rex Lee: For me, there is no difficult transition from one character to the next. If there is going to be a difficulty at all, the difficulty will be transitioning from ME to a character

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Bethesda, Md.: I was just this morning urging a friend of mine to watch "Entourage" because of the absolutely fabulous acting of and interchanges between yourself & Jeremy Piven. I love your two characters together. How hard is it to get through your scenes together without cracking up?

Rex Lee: I am proud to say that it is very easy NOT to crack up. Why am I proud? Why is it easy? I am very serious about the acting and therefore I value it when I am able to stay in the moment and experience what the character is experiencing. Usually when I am in the middle of a scene with Jeremy, I am approaching a true feeling of being upset with a situation, so I don't find it funny at all!

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Washington, DC: You are hilarious! Love the show. Does it psychologically scar you to be yelled at all day by Jeremy Piven, even if it's -technically- all fake? Here's hoping there's no post-"Entourage" trauma for you :)

Rex Lee: No scarring. No trauma. And even if there was scarring or trauma, the fact that you think I am hilarious and that you love the show is a hugely healing remedy

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DC: If you could be on any other HBO show (current or past), what would it be, and who would you want to play?

Rex Lee: My gut reaction is to say Sex And The City. Any character will do.

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much needed humanity: I'm sure that you hear this all the time, but I really appreciate how your character is often used to inject some sorely needed humanity into the talent agency's office. You're a big reason why I watch the show. I appreciate your hard work!

Rex Lee: Thank you, I really appreciate it!

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Mitchellville, Md.: How realistic do you think the show portrays the lifestyles of current hot actors and their crews (and those in the industry)? Vince seems to live a pretty cool existence!

Rex Lee: I think our show is pretty realistic about living in "Hollywood" so i suspect that it is pretty much on the money. Having said that, you have to want to live in an extravagant manner in order to do so. Many actors get paid the big bucks but live quiet lives.

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Herndon, Va.: Mr. Lee: Do you ever have any problems with scripts which seem to stereotype Lloyd being gay and Asian?

Rex Lee: I feel like it is my responsibility to make sure that my performance is based in reality. I don't think Lloyd is a stereotype even if some of his behavior is stereotypical. It is a fine line i have to navigate but I am trying my hardest to honor Lloyd and make him a fully formed human being

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Lesbian Assistant, D.C.: Thanks for your role. I'm an out assistant and have worked for real-life Aris -- and they're not HALF so much fun as he is on TV.

I just wanted to say thanks for being Lloyd. It's nice to see a gay, non-white/Christian assistant character who isn't a one-sided cardboard cut-out but is still funny.

You rock.

Rex Lee: Thanks for your support. And thanks for being out!

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Boston: I've been a big fan of the show since the beginning, and I can't wait for the new season to start! Lloyd seems to be on the receiving end of most of Ari's tantrums. Jeremy Piven seems like a very physical actor. When he really gets going, have there ever been any moments where something flew past your head?

Rex Lee: Yes, definitely, but I have always trusted in my ability to get out of the way. I have never felt like I was in danger!

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Columbia, Md.: Clearly, at the beginning of the series, the producers focused solely on Vince. The other characters were supplementary, but unimportant. It seems that in more recent seasons, plot-lines and character development for the other characters has increased, including your character to some degree (e.g. the Joshua Tree episode).

Was this shift in response to demands from fans? I've always had an interest in the other characters -- even when it seemed that the producers had no confidence in committing to secondary plot-lines/characters.

Rex Lee: No offense, but very little happens on the show in response to the fans. The creators, writers, producers kind of retreat into a cocoon when conceiving the plotlines. It really comes just from the mind of Doug Ellin and his writers

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Alexandria, Va.: Is Jeremy Piven as uptight as Ari? or is he more down to earth and relaxed. He seems like he'd be a supercool guy from what I've read.

Rex Lee: Jeremy is very cool. We get along. i have great affection for him. Is he super uptight? No. Is he very very relaxed? Sadly, no. He is, however, really into Eastern religions and yoga. So, with any luck his path will lead him to a deeper state of relaxation. By the way, am I all that relaxed? Probably not. So, you know- pot, kettle- probably shouldn't say anything

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Arlington, Va. : Sure, the Lloyd-Ari dynamic is great...but what about Lloyd-MRS. Ari?? I've always enjoyed the small (but quite funny) detail that Lloyd and Ari's wife talk all the time, even though he's scared of her. What's it like working with Perrey Reeves?

Rex Lee: Perrey is amazing! Most of our scenes are phone calls, so our paths don't cross a lot at work. But because she is Mrs. Ari and I am the de facto secret second Mrs., outside of work we compare notes a lot. She is fabulous!

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Mr. Lee: Who is a part of your entourage?

Who would you like to be a part of your entourage?

Would you put together a list of the "High Maintenance" actors - from highest to lowest?

Rex Lee: I have no entourage. My friends are very resistant to being part of an entourage. I have been very lucky and not met any high maintenance actors. I hear stories just like you.

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Reston, Va.: Hi Rex. I'm so looking forward to the new season. The arc of the past couple of seasons has been a downward spiraling of Chase's stardom. Will this year see his star ascending again?

Rex Lee: Yes, but you know- ups and downs are a part of life- even Vincent Chase's life.

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Cleveland, Ohio : What are your thoughts on the critics who say "Entourage" repeats the exact same storyline every season? Personally, I'm a big fan of the show and think these people need to lighten up already, but I was curious to hear your opinion.

Rex Lee: Well, I certainly don't think Entourage has the same story line every season. Plus, I sometimes hear criticism that later seasons don't hold up in comparisons to seasons one and two.

Bottom line, I would get bored if I thought nothing ever changed

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character development: It says a lot about you that the writers expanded Lloyd so much. What could have been pure comic relief often turns out to be the moral center of the show. Lloyd has the biggest set of, uh, guts on the show when one considers that he's purely subservient to Ari professionally but still puts him in his place. No other character does that. As an earlier poster put it Ari would be insufferable without Lloyd. Great work, looking forward to the new season.

Rex Lee: Thank you! I think you will enjoy this coming season!

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Alexandria, Va.: Hello,

What can you tell us about the dynamic among the guys on the show. There's a true camaraderie that comes across on the screen.

Also, what can you tell us about your character's development. If I recall from last season, we were introduced to your "boyfriend". Will we see more of this storyline?

Thanks for you. I love your character on the show.

Rex Lee: The boys get along really well. I am probably a little jealous of how well they get along. There is a famous story that after the four boys were cast, Mark Wahlberg flew them all to Las Vegas and they had a weekend full of debauchery and they all bonded.

You will see Tom, my boyfriend, again this season!

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Washington, D.C.: Rex, has playing Lloyd changed your relationship at all with your agent (and his/or assistant?). I would have to think they would get a real kick out of your work.

Rex Lee: Not that the relationship was bad before, but I suspect my agents are very conscious of how they treat their own assistants! I get along with all assistants everywhere!

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Anonymous: DuPont Circle

I remember Ari's shock that Lloyd had such a handsome and cool boyfriend...your character's relationship seemed very real to me...will the scripts of the coming season go any deeper into the relationship of Lloyd and boyfriend? Love the show.

Rex Lee: The boyfriend hasn't gone away- so I am proud that the gay relationship is one of the longest lasting relationships on the show

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Toms River, N.J.: Are there any truth to the rumors that this will be the last season of "Entourage"?

Rex Lee: Bite your tongue! Gosh, I don't know anything yet. Every year we have to wait for an announcement that there will be a new season. That hasn't happened this year yet (and it won't happen 'til August at the earliest) I am very hopeful we will have at least one more season.

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Rex Lee: Thanks for the great questions! Love, Rex

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