Adrian Grenier
{{Short description|American actor (born 1976)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Adrian Grenier
| image = Adrian Grenier June 2014.jpg
| caption = Grenier in 2014
| birth_name = Adrian Sean Grenier
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|07|10}}
| birth_place = Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
| education = {{plainlist|
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|producer|director|musician|social entrepreneur}}
| years_active = 1997–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Jordan Roemmele|2022}}{{cite web | url=https://people.com/tv/adrian-grenier-jordan-roemmele-exclusive-wedding-photos/ | title=How Adrian Grenier and Jordan Roemmele Created Their Spontaneous Wedding in Morocco 'from Thin Air' }}
| children = 1
}}
Adrian Sean Grenier (born July 10, 1976) is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Vincent Chase in the television series Entourage (2004–2011). He has appeared in films such as Drive Me Crazy (1999), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Trash Fire (2016), and Marauders (2016). In 2021, he acted in the Netflix series Clickbait.
Early life
Grenier was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico,{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IDVcBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT382 |page=382 |title=Finding Your Roots: The Official Companion to the PBS Series |last=Gates |first=Henry Louis Jr. |year=2014 |publisher=UNC Press Books |isbn=9781469618012}}{{IMDb name|004978}} the son of Karesse Grenier and John Dunbar. His parents were never married. He was raised by his mother in New York City. His mother was born in New Mexico to a family of mostly Mexican, Spanish, and some French descent.
A DNA test on a 2012 episode of the series Finding Your Roots showed Grenier to have approximately 8% Native American ancestry and that his direct matrilineal line is Native American.Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., PBS, May 20, 2012{{cite news| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304636404577297502843483454 | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=John | last=Jurgensen | title=Doubling Down on DNA | date=March 22, 2012}}{{cite news | url=http://connect.hbo.com/events/entourage/adrian_grenier/ | work=HBO Connect | title=Q&A with Adrian Grenier | date=2013 | access-date=2015-02-05 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20150205003116/http://connect.hbo.com/events/entourage/adrian_grenier/ | archive-date=2015-02-05 | url-status=dead }} The program determined that his ancestor Diego de Montoya (born in Texcoco, State of Mexico, Mexico, formerly, New Spain, in 1596) was the leader of an encomienda, a protectorate of Puebloan peoples in Pueblo San Pedro in New Mexico.{{cite web| url= http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/2263073-mestizaje-indian-roots-in-17th-century-new-mexico-family-genealogy| title= Mestizaje: Indian Roots In 17th-Century New Mexico Family Genealogy| website= goodreads.com| first=Jose Antonio |last= Esquibel| access-date= February 15, 2016}} He shares this ancestor with author and commentator Linda Chavez, making them ninth cousins.{{cite news| work=The Wall Street Journal | first=John | last=Jurgensen | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304636404577297502843483454 | title=Doubling Down on DNA | date=March 22, 2012}} As of 2016, Grenier self-identifies as "part Apache Indian."{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/AdrianGrenierOfficial/posts/wtf-we-are-still-dealing-with-this-shit-i-am-part-apache-indian-and-my-mother-us/1547736565252762/ |title=AdrianGrenierOfficial |last=Grenier |first=Adrian |date=November 24, 2016 |website=Adrian Grenier Official Facebook Page |publisher=Facebook |access-date=February 28, 2021 |quote=}}
Grenier graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and attended Bard College in New York.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-08-12-adrian-grenier_x.htm|title=No need for his own 'Entourage'|last=Keck|first=William|date=August 12, 2004| website= USAToday.com}}{{failed verification|date=October 2024}}{{cite web|url= http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,683760,00.html|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120703012636/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,683760,00.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= July 3, 2012|title= Breakout Star: Adrian Grenier |website= People| first= Serena| last= Kapes | date= August 18, 2004|access-date= February 15, 2016}}{{BLP sources|date=October 2024}}
Career
=Acting=
Image:Adrian_Grenier_by_David_Shankbone.jpg]]
In 1997, Grenier left Bard to embark on a film career. He made his film debut in the independent drama Arresting Gena, then in 1999 played opposite Melissa Joan Hart in Drive Me Crazy and in 2001 starred in James Toback's Harvard Man.
In 2004, Grenier played Vincent Chase in the HBO series Entourage, gaining his most substantial notability and success.[http://notedguys.com/adrian-grenier/ Adrian Grenier] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006063010/http://notedguys.com/adrian-grenier/ |date=October 6, 2009 }} at NotedGuys.com The series followed the triumphs and trials in the life of Chase, as the movie star character and his friends lived the good life in Los Angeles.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110910204610/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20512574,00.html Entourage Season 8 Preview], People, July 2012. Retrieved March 2014. It ran for eight seasons, from 2004 to 2011, and was nominated for numerous Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series.
In 2006, he starred alongside Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci and Simon Baker in the comedy-drama The Devil Wears Prada as Nate Cooper, a cook and the boyfriend of Hathaway's character, Andrea "Andy" Sachs.
In 2013, he starred in the post-apocalyptic film Goodbye World alongside Gaby Hoffmann. It premiered at the 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival where it received good reviews. The film made its cinematic release in the United States on April 4, 2014.[http://www.ramascreen.com/goodbye-world-trailer-starring-adriangrenier-gaby-hoffman-ben_mckenzie-mark-webber-arrives-april-4-2014/ Goodbye World Trailer Starring Adrian Grenier, Gaby Hoffman, Ben Mckenzie, and Mark Webber arrives April 4, 2014], RamaScreen.com, March 2014. Retrieved March 2014.
Grenier stepped back in front of the camera in 2015 to reprise his role of Vincent Chase in the Entourage film adaptation. Filming began in January 2014, and the film was released in June 2015.Kit, Borys. [https://variety.com/2013/film/news/entourage-movie-starts-shooting-jan-16-1200860456/ 'Entourage' Movie Starts Shooting], Variety.com. Retrieved March 2014.[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/entourage-movie-gets-a-release-683402 Entourage Movie Gets A Release Date], Hollywood Reporter, February 25, 2014. Retrieved March 2014. In 2016, Grenier shot the heist movie Marauders.{{cite web |first=Richard |last=Roeper |title='Marauders': A-list actors give their all in a B-movie mystery |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/6/30/18336785/marauders-a-list-actors-give-their-all-in-a-b-movie-mystery/ |website=Chicago Sun-Times |date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=June 30, 2016 }} The film would make it to Netflix's U.S. platform's top two in December 2020.{{cite news |first=Travis |last=Clark |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/top-movies-on-netflix-this-week-peppermint-marauders-2020-12 |title=The top 9 movies on Netflix this week, from 'Peppermint' to 'Marauders' |website=Business Insider |access-date=December 11, 2020}} Grenier also starred in the 2021 8-episode American-Australian drama/thriller miniseries, Clickbait, on Netflix, where he played Nick Brewer.
He is a campus advisor for Academy for Global Citizenship in Chicago, Illinois.
= Directing and producing =
As a vehicle for Grenier to transition between acting, directing, and producing, with some partners, he started Reckless Productions in 2001. The company focused on producing socially-minded films. One of its first, Shot in the Dark, chronicled Grenier's journey to reconnect with his estranged father, Dunbar, with whom his mother broke up when he was still a baby. Grenier and Dunbar remained estranged for 18 years until he began work on the documentary in an attempt to forge a relationship with him. The two eventually reunited and continue to remain in contact. This was Grenier's directorial debut and the film premiered at the 2002 Tribeca Film Festival. HBO distributed the documentary and it premiered on the channel on June 3, 2007.Harrington, Maureen. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070508054749/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20037890,00.html Adrian Grenier Talks About Finding His Father], People.com, May 6, 2007. Retrieved March 2014.
On June 2, 2008, Grenier premiered a new television series, Alter Eco, for which he was the producer. The show aired on the Discovery communications channel Planet Green and featured Grenier and a team of green experts showing changes that can be made to live a more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle.
On September 27, 2010, HBO premiered Teenage Paparazzo, a documentary directed by Grenier and produced by Bert Marcus. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film focused on 13-year-old paparazzo Austin Visschedyk and the celebrity-obsessed world in which he operates. It also featured interviews with celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Alec Baldwin, and Whoopi Goldberg. Aside from HBO, Teenage Paparazzo premiered on 40 other outlets around the globe. In addition to its theatrical release, Grenier took the documentary to College campuses nationwide in the Teenage Paparazzo Experience Tour. The tour included a{{Cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/20905081|title = Teenage Paparazzo Experience Tour}} call for art to be included in a traveling gallery that challenged the traditional understanding of celebrity and modern media.
In 2010, Grenier began working as a producer alongside producer Bert Marcus and director Matthew Cooke on the full-length feature documentary How to Make Money Selling Drugs. The film was a tongue-in-cheek look at what is considered to be one of the worst domestic policy failures in recent American history. It featured actual dealers and celebrities commenting on the subject, including; 50 Cent, Eminem, Susan Sarandon and David Simon, head writer of the HBO series The Wire. It was released in the Summer of 2013 on Amazon.com and iTunes, and it received positive reviews.[https://www.vice.com/read/an-interview-with-adrian-grenier-about-his-new-drug-documentary Interview with Adrian Grenier About His New Drug Documentary], Vice.com. Retrieved April 2014.
=Music=
Grenier plays guitar, bass, drums, and harmonica.http://www.gq.com/story/adrian-grenier-adult-sleepaway-camp harmonica He was a member of two New York bands: the lead singer in Kid Friendly and the drummer in The Honey BrothersNovak, Sara. [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/07/adrian-grenier-and-the-honey-brothers-interview.php Adrian Grenier and the Honey Brothers Talk Green Living at the Wanderlust Festival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912020259/http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/07/adrian-grenier-and-the-honey-brothers-interview.php |date=September 12, 2011 }}, TreeHugger.com, July 27, 2009. before moving on to build Wreckroom, a music incubator, and recording studio in May 2012.
Wreckroom releases EPs and a video series of cover songs, titled "Under the Covers". Two bands, Missouri "punk 'n' roll" trio Radkey and metal-spined Brooklyn five-piece [http://theskins.com/ The Skins], released EPs on the label in 2013.Hogan, Marc. [https://www.spin.com/2013/05/adrian-grenier-entourage-wreckroom-record-label/ 'Entourage' Guy Starts His Own Music Label], Spin, May 31, 2013. Retrieved March 2014. Wreckroom also hosts curated music showcases in both Brooklyn and Austin.
Most recently, Adrian co-wrote the [https://music.empi.re/themasterandmargarita song] 'the master and margarita' with artist 'SORAYA'. The song was inspired by the Russian surrealist classic novel of the same name but SORAYA and Adrian imagined it taking place in contemporary Austin, Texas. It was distributed by Empire and released in early 2024.
Philanthropic efforts
=SHFT.com=
An advocate of sustainable living, Grenier and his business partner and film producer Peter Glatzer founded the lifestyle brand SHFT.com in 2010. SHFT is a brand that promotes sustainability through film, design, art, and culture and lives both online and offline.{{cite web|title=Adrian Founds Shft.com|date=December 18, 2009|url=http://offmetro.com/ny/2009/12/17/adrian-grenier-shft/|access-date=February 14, 2012}}
SHFT has partnered with brands such as Ford Motor Company, AOL/Huffington Post, Virgin America, Stonyfield Farm, The W Hollywood, The Weather Channel, and Estée Lauder. In its second year, SHFT won two Webby Awards for best website in its category.
In 2014, Grenier and Glatzer partnered with Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture to create SHFT Mobile Kitchen Classroom – a teaching kitchen on wheels for high-school students in New York City.Dean, Sam. [http://www.bonappetit.com/events/promotions/article/adrian-grenier-s-shft-mobile-kitchen-classroom-is-a-food-innovator-awards-finalist Adrian Grenier's SHFT Mobile Kitchen Classroom Is a Food Innovator Awards Finalist], Bon Appetit, February 4, 2014. Retrieved March 2014.
=United Nations Environment Goodwill Ambassador=
On World Environment Day 2017, Grenier was appointed as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme.{{Cite web|url=https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/press-release/hollywood-star-and-environmentalist-adrian-grenier-appointed-un|title=Hollywood Atar and Environmentalist Adrian Grenier Appointed UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador|date=June 5, 2017|access-date=2018-04-18}} Grenier was chosen due to his work with the Lonely Whale Foundation. In his role, Grenier advocates for reducing single-use plastic and for the protection of marine species.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0ZC5qfLDnWdntb-8k6GBYwZ&v=yXz--IHkhlg|title=Adrian Grenier Designated as UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador|website=YouTube |date=June 6, 2017|access-date=2018-04-18}}
=Bitcoin=
Grenier is a Bitcoin advocate and is developing a farming community in Texas that would use cryptocurrency for exchange.{{cite web |title=Actor Adrian Grenier explains why bitcoin is central to his plan to build a communal farm in Texas |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/23/adrien-grenier-on-bitcoin-mining-and-its-environmental-impact-.html |website=cnbc|date=July 23, 2021 }}
Personal life
Grenier married Jordan Roemmele in a ceremony in Morocco in 2022. They had a son in June 2023.{{cite web | url=https://people.com/tv/adrian-grenier-jordan-roemmele-exclusive-wedding-photos/ | title=How Adrian Grenier and Jordan Roemmele Created Their Spontaneous Wedding in Morocco 'from Thin Air' }} On November 5, 2024, they announced that they are expecting their second child.{{Cite web |last=Becker |first=Emma Aerin |date=2024-11-05 |title=Adrian Grenier and Wife Jordan Roemmele Reveal They're Expecting Baby No. 2: 'Overjoyed' |url=https://people.com/adrian-grenier-and-wife-jordan-roemmele-reveal-they-re-expecting-baby-no-2-8740021 |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=People |language=en}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2" | 1997
| Kabush | |
| Hurricane Streets
| Punk | |
| rowspan="3" | 1998
| Fishes Outta Water | | |
| Celebrity
| Darrow's Entourage | |
| {{sortname|The|Adventures of Sebastian Cole}}
| Sebastian Cole | |
| 1999
| Chase Hammond | |
| 2000
| Lyle | |
| rowspan="2" | 2001
| Alan Jensen | |
| Artificial Intelligence: AI
| Teen in van | |
| rowspan="3" | 2002
| Freshening Up | Noah | Short film |
| Love in the Time of Money
| Nick | |
| Hart's War
| Pvt. Daniel E. Abrams | |
| rowspan="2" | 2003
| Clay Askins | |
| Anything Else
| Ray Polito | |
| 2004
| Tony N' Tina's Wedding | Michael | |
| 2005
| {{sortname|A|Perfect Fit|A Perfect Fit (2005 film)}} | John | |
| rowspan="2" | 2006
| Across the Hall | Julian | Short film |
| {{sortname|The|Devil Wears Prada|The Devil Wears Prada (film)}}
| Nate Cooper | |
| 2007
| Off Hour | Bruno | Short Film Award Best Actor |
| 2008
| Dallas Houston | |
| 2014
| James | |
| rowspan="3" | 2015
| Unity{{cite web|author1=Dave McNary|title=Documentary 'Unity' Set for Aug. 12 Release with 100 Star Narrators|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/documentary-unity-set-for-aug-12-release-with-100-star-narrators-1201477200/|publisher=Variety|access-date=May 1, 2015|date=April 22, 2015}} | Narrator | Documentary |
| Entourage
| Vincent Chase | |
| Sex, Death and Bowling
| Sean McAllister | |
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| Owen | Direct-to-video |
| Marauders
| Wells | Direct-to-video |
| 2017
| Arsenal | JP | Direct-to-video |
| 2018
| Rob Reynolds | |
| 2019
| Christmas at Graceland: Home for the Holidays |Owen Read |Hallmark Movie |
| 2020
| Nathan | |
| 2021
|Far More |Sean McAllister | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2004–2011
| Lead role; 96 episodes |
| 2008
| Himself | Docu-serie; 9 episodes |
| 2010
| 90210 | Himself | Episode: "Age of Inheritance" |
| 2011
| Barry Romo | Voice; Main role; 6 episodes |
| 2015
| Himself | Episode: "Drama Meets Drama" |
| 2015–2017
| Captain Joe Callisto | Voice; Recurring role; 12 episodes |
| 2017
| Love at First Glance | James Fielding | Television film |
| 2021
| Nick Brewer | Miniseries |
| 2024
| Seeds of Change | Himself | Environmental docu-series, using innovation to fight climate change |
=Producer=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2002
| Shot in the Dark | |
| 2005
| Across the Hall | Short film |
| 2008
| Alter Eco | 9 episodes |
| 2009
| Waiting for the Light to Change | |
| rowspan="3" | 2010
| |
| Compromise
| |
| Don't Quit Your Daydream
| |
| 2011
| Young Farmers | |
| rowspan="2" | 2012
| My Name Is Faith | |
| How To Make Money Selling Drugs
| |
| 2015
| 52: The Search for the Loneliest Whale | |
=Director=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2002
| Shot in the Dark | |
| 2006
| Euthanasia | |
| 2010
| |
=Writer=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2006
| Euthanasia | |
| 2010
| |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Artist ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1999
| Cameo appearance | |
| 2018
| Out for Love | BAYLI | Lawyer | |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.recklessny.com/ Reckless Productions]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140417124758/http://www.recklessproductions.tv/ Reckless Productions Latin]
- [http://www.shft.com/ SHFT]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170228100417/http://wreckroom.tv/ Wreckroom Records]
- {{IMDb name|4978}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140208161358/http://www.thelikesof.com/ The Likes Of This Crew]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131110230655/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/reckless-adrian-grenier/id503581208?mt=8 Reckless Adrian Grenier App]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grenier, Adrian}}
Category:Male actors from Santa Fe, New Mexico
Category:American people of English descent
Category:American people of German descent
Category:American people of Scottish descent
Category:American people of Irish descent
Category:American people of Mestizo descent
Category:American people of Spanish descent
Category:American people of French descent
Category:Film producers from New York (state)
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:Male actors from Brooklyn
Category:Film directors from New Mexico
Category:Hispanic and Latino American male actors
Category:Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School alumni
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:Film directors from New York City