NEWSOK! Exclusive: Jerry Ferrara Talks About His Huge New Movie Role
Entourage ended just two years ago, and star Jerry Ferrara has not stopped working for a second. He has five new movies coming out, extended his chain of delis in southern California to Austin, TX, and maintained a healthy new lifestyle and weight loss. But his next project is the most exciting—not just the Entourage movie, but his starring role in a biopic based on the life of boxer Arturo Gatti. See what Jerry's got going on!
OK!: You have been very busy since Entourage went off the air. What have you have been working on?
Jerry Ferrara: It has been a good run. I did the sequel to Think Like a Man, which we shot in Vegas. It’s weird, I only really work in Vegas now! Last Vegas is coming out in November, and I worked on another film called Lone Survivor, which is with Mark Walhberg and Taylor Kitsch. I just have been really really lucky to this point to have some cool opportunities since Entourage.
OK!: Can you tell me about the status of the Entourage movie?
JF: You know, we are still putting it together. A lot goes into this. There are a lot of different moving parts to it. But it will happen, and sooner rather than later. Which is good, because I don’t think we could wait too long.
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OK!: The boxing movie sounds amazing. Who are you playing and what is the story going to be?
JF: Arturo Gatti is my most favorite fighter of all time, just in the sense of the style and the way he fought. He really became universally known with his fights with Micky Ward, which is a movie that Mark Walhberg did, The Fighter. Arturo’s life tragically ended when he was way too young; I believe he was 38 years old. It was just a lot of work to get there, and now everything is in place and I almost can’t even really believe it still. I believe it when I go work out every day and learn how to fight like them, and get punched in the ribs! My new phrase is, "If it doesn’t make me nervous, it’s probably not going to be any fun," in terms of acting. I think that is when you do your best stuff.
OK!: Can you tell us about your training so far?
JF: I have been working out a lot with Jay Glazer, who is an NFL insider. I need a little help because, of the limited boxing I have done, I always fought lefty, and Arturo was a righty. So Jay has helped me turn around to right hand and just given me basics. Are you a boxing fan? I love it!
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OK!: I’m always into stories of how actors transform their bodies, and I can’t imagine playing someone who is at the top of their field!
JF: Well, it is such a good challenge. I got myself into shape, only because I was really unhealthy. At one point I was about 205 pounds, during like the height of Entourage, and I lost about 60 pounds. It wasn’t for a role, but I try to keep myself in good shape. I have a calm about this whole thing. There is a ton of work that’ll need to be done, and I’ll have to change shape for sure, but it’s a lot different than if I’d just been sitting around for 3 or 4 months drinking beer.
Photos: See John Mayer's physical transformation over the years.
OK!: You are working with Mark Wahlberg again. Do you guys just refuse to work with anybody else?
JF: Yeah, that’s it! We have a rule, no more outsiders. No, I've known Mark for a long time, and obviously him and Steve Levinson, and Doug Ellin gave me a very big opportunity when I was 23, casting me in Entourage. Mark is just a machine. He is one of the hardest-working guys I’ve ever seen. That guy actually doesn’t have to work that hard if he didn’t want to, he could kind of coast through, but man he does not! He absolutely busts his *ss in everything. Nothing but respect.
OK!: You have a line of delis in L.A., Fat Sal's. How do you even go near one of these when you're staying healthy? There are like 8 different kinds of french fries on the menu!
JF: Oh my God, it is the most decadent kind of eating you could do. It is the ultimate comfort food. Yes, it is obviously not the most healthy of eating, but we have launched a healthy side of the menu. We are opening up our fourth one in Austin, Texas. Yes, I will go there, yes, I will pig out, but at my age and my genetic history, it is not something I eat 3 or 4 times a week. I’ll go there like once a week, and try not to melt down. It’s a great place to have a food meltdown, a great place.
Do you like sports movie? Which is your favorite one? What do you think should happen in the Entourage movie? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @OKMagazine.
