By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Media Services
Dec. 23, 2008
Best known as Ari Gold’s much maligned assistant Lloyd on “Entourage,” Rex Lee has become a fan favorite on the hit HBO series. With just a stare and a well-placed word, Lee is a scene-stealer, especially when he spars with his cantankerous boss Ari (Jeremy Piven).
“I found out after I got the role that they didn’t have an Asian American actor in mind for the part originally,” says Lee, 39.
“Women auditioned, African Americans, everyone. I was told they didn’t quite know what they wanted until I walked through the door and showed them what they wanted.”
Laughing, he adds, “And I choose to believe that!”
Lee, who views traveling as one of life’s great pleasures, picks Las Vegas as one of his most fun destinations. It’s close to his work in Los Angeles, and yet a world away.
DON’T HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR: People think you have to be on a plane for hours to actually go away on vacation. Some of my favorite trips have been pretty close, to places like New York and Las Vegas.
THE LURE OF VEGAS: I love Vegas. I had preconceived notions about it like a lot of people. It’s called Sin City and you know, whatever happens there stays there. I have fun with those notions. Whenever I go there, I have this attitude that I might let loose and behave badly or strangely. It’s almost like you go there and deliberately put on a persona just because you can. And you feel free.
TRUTH IN ADVERTISING: The food really is affordable there! You hear about $2 steaks and 25-cent hot dogs and it’s not far off. You can find really high-end stuff there or meals for a few bucks.
STAYING IN STYLE: Honestly, I can’t think of a time when I didn’t enjoy my time at whatever hotel I was at. I’ve stayed at Caesars, the Hard Rock Hotel, Mandalay Bay, the Mirage, Planet Hollywood. … I’ve never stayed at a room with a stripper pole, but I can hope that happens one day. (Laughs.) Yes, I’m joking! If you go to Vegas, check out the spa at Planet Hollywood. I ended up buying their whole line of skincare products. It’s that good.
THE GAMBLER: Actually, I’m not a gambler. I don’t have the right spirit to gamble. If I gamble and lose money, it’s a bad experience and ruins my vacation. It’s hard for me to understand that gambling is sort of a process and if you try long enough perhaps it’ll turn around. I would say I’m a big shopper though. I love the experience of it and go to the shops at Caesars. I don’t always buy — but I like looking.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES: I speak very little Korean. There was a time in my life when I was pretty fluent in French, but I’ve let that go. I’m a boring English speaker.
TRAVELING’S AN EVENT: I love traveling and I don’t get to do enough of it. Every time I do get to go somewhere, it’s always a special event to me. I’ve lived in Los Angeles a long time and I love living here because it suits me, but if I’m here too long without going somewhere, I just want to pack a bag and go somewhere.
TRAVELING ALONE: It can be lonely traveling alone but sometimes I have to do it. There are conveniences of being by myself. I never have to wait for someone to get ready.
RECOGNIZED ON VACATION: I do get recognized sometimes. The people who approach me are fans of the show and my character and they’re all very sweet. Nobody comes up to me and tells me they don’t like me. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an actor but didn’t really understand what an actor did. I thought it was just about being rich and famous. It’s hard for me to complain that people interrupt my dinner to compliment me. I just let my food get cold and accept the compliment. It never gets old.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LAS VEGAS:
RESIDENTS: 2 million.
NEARBY ATTRACTION: The Hoover Dam is 34 miles from Vegas.
TRIVIA: Nevada was admitted into the Union in 1864. A 1910 law made it illegal to gamble in Las Vegas. The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino was the first hotel and casino to open there. The Stratosphere is the tallest, freestanding observation tower in the United States. Seventeen of the 20 biggest hotels in the country are in Las Vegas. When Howard Hughes was asked to leave the Desert Inn, he bought it instead.
POP CULTURE: Las Vegas was featured in the films “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Viva Las Vegas,” “Leaving Las Vegas,” “Casino” and “What Happens in Vegas.” The TV series “Vegas,” “Las Vegas” and the original “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” were also set there.
LAS VEGAS NICKNAMES: Sin City, Entertainment Capital of the World, City of Lights, Glitter Gulch and the Strip.
To read more about Las Vegas, check out www.visitlasvegas.com.
© 2008 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
