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• Jeremy Piven is a two-time Emmy Award/Golden Globe-winning actor for his role as Ari Gold on the HBO original series Entourage.

  Piven abruptly left the set of Broadway's Speed-the-Plow production in December of 2008 before his contract was up after claiming that he was ill from mercury poisoning.US Weekly: Piven's Love of Sushi May Have Caused Sickness (December 18, 2009) The show's producers filed a grievance with the Actors' Equity Union against Piven after records from his driver alleged that Piven visited several clubs while he was supposedly sick.TMZ: Piven's Fish Line Doesn't Fly with Producers (January 16, 2009) Piven faced the grievance committee on February 26, 2009 and was not granted any union penalties or fines. Following their failure with the Actors' Equity Union, the producers of the show decided to bring their case to arbitration. The case will be heard by an arbitrator on June 8 and 9, 2009.Reuters: Piven's Broadway exit heads to arbitration

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: July 26, 1965
  2. Origin: Evanston, Illinois
  3. Both parents were actors and drama teachers
  4. Emmy Awards: 3
  5. Golden Globe Awards: 2
  6. Grew up with and has been in several movies with John Cusack
  7. Brother-in-law to writer/director Adam McKay
  8. Began dating model Ashley Chontos in late 2008
  9. Met Chontos at Britney Spears' 27th birthday party.New York Daily News: Jeremy Piven plows ahead...with model Ashley Chontos (December 31, 2008)
  10. Left the Broadway production of Speed the Plow after alleging that he had mercury poisoning
  11. Speed the Plow producers filed a grievance with the Actors' Equity Union against Piven
  12. The grievance hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2009

• Wahlberg Defends Piven

  Actor and Entourage producer Mark Wahlberg spoke out in defense of Piven in February 2009. Wahlberg told US Magazine that the criticism Piven has attracted for leaving his Speed the Plow role is "unfortunate". According to Wahlberg, "It's (theater) his first love and he was more disappointed than anybody. He's getting a lot of flack about it and it's really unnecessary."E Online: Get Off Jeremy... (February 2, 2009)

• Speed The Plow

  Actor Jeremy Piven was cast in Broadway's Speed The Plow. and in mid December 2008, Piven made the announcement that he was leaving the show due to being ill from a high mercury count. The show's writer, David Mamet, made this comment about Piven's departure, "I talked to Jeremy on the phone, and he told me that he discovered that he had a very high level of mercury. So my understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer." Mamet added this about Piven's replacement, "The good news is that some really great actors will be helping out and stepping in, which to me is a sign of great heroism and friendship."Variety: Piven speeds away from 'Plow' play (December 17, 2008)

  Speed the Plows opening week was less than stellar with seats just over half full.Broadway World: Broadway Grosses 1-11-09 (January 11, 2009) Piven's absence has been the primary reason for lack of sales.Perez Hilton: Speed the Plow Plays to Empty Theater (January 14, 2009)

  Producers of the show filed a grievance against Piven in mid January 2009. One of the show's producers, Jeffrey Richards, stated, "The producers of Speed The Plow have officially filed a grievance with Actors' Equity re: Jeremy Piven's departure. A date for these proceedings is to be determined."TMZ: Piven's Fish Line Doesn't Fly with Producers (January 16, 2009)

• Mercury Rising

  Piven's physician later confirmed his illness revealing that Piven had the "highest level of mercury that he has ever seen, six times a healthy amount of mercury." His physician added that Piven is "disappointed that members of the production staff of 'Speed-the-Plow' and other members of the entertainment community have not rallied behind him during this health crisis."ET Online: Details on Jeremy Piven's Illness (December 18, 2008)

  Piven revealed his mercury poisoning symptoms in a Good Morning America interview in January 2009 stating, '"I was losing my balance and my memory. The lights were too bright. I couldn't get enough oxygen." He went on to say this about eating fish, "The only protein I got for 20 years was from fish I kind of thought I was doing the right thing ... As soon as I heard this, I stopped all fish whatsoever."People: Jeremy Piven Explains His Mystery Ailment (January 15, 2009)

• Background

  Piven grew up in Evanston, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago. In Illinois, he trained at the Piven Theatre Workshop, founded by his parents Byrne and Joyce Hiller Piven. Piven's first significant role was the head writer Jerry on HBO's The Larry Sanders Show. He was cast in many supporting roles in films throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2004, Piven landed a role as the abrasive but lovable Hollywood agent Ari Gold in the HBO series Entourage. The role became a career highlight for Piven earning him three straight Emmy nominations for best supporting actor and wins in 2006 and 2007.

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