Johnny Bananas Goes Ape at HBO

MANHATTAN (CN) - Character actor "Johnny Bananas" claims the makers of HBO's "Entourage" exploited and disparaged his brand, and used it to sell merchandise without paying him.

John Devenanzio claims he built his career by playing Johnny Bananas on "Real World Key West," "The Duel," "The Inferno 3," "The Island" and other shows.

But in high dudgeon, he says that Season 7 of HBO's Entourage "includes an unwarranted, unauthorized, and unfavorable mention of plaintiff's name and personality, and allusions to plaintiff's physical and mental character".

He adds that the show "exerts a great influence throughout the United States, Canada and other countries," and that "(b)y virtue of its wide appeal and portrayal of the character Johnny Bananas and/or Johnny's Bananas, the defendants are destined to do irreparable harm to the plaintiff in 'Entourage.'"

To add injury to the insult, he says, the show's producers have manufactured, sold and marketed "goods, apparel, and accessories" with the Johnny Bananas logo and image without paying him.

He seeks money damages and an injunction preventing defendants HBO, Time Warner and producer Douglas Ellin from airing the episodes or profiting from the merchandise.

He is represented by Stephanie G. Ovadia of East Meadow.

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