Jeremy Piven

Jeremy Piven

Piven in February 2009
Born (1965-07-26) July 26, 1965
Manhattan, New York City, U.S
Alma mater Drake University (attended but did not graduate)
Occupation Actor, producer
Years active 1982–present
Family Shira Piven (sister)
Adam McKay (brother-in-law)

Jeremy Samuel Piven (born July 26, 1965)[1] is an American actor and producer. He is best known for his role as Ari Gold in the comedy series Entourage, for which he won one Golden Globe Award and three consecutive Emmy Awards and as Spence Kovak on Ellen DeGeneres' sitcom Ellen. He is currently starring in British period drama, Mr Selfridge, which tells the story of the man who created the luxury English department store chain, Selfridges.

Early years

Piven is a native of New York City, born in Manhattan, the son of Byrne Piven (1929-2002) and Joyce Hiller Piven (née Goldstein), both of whom were actors and drama teachers.[1][2][3] He grew up in Evanston, Illinois.[1] Piven was raised in a Reconstructionist Jewish household.[4][5] He graduated from Evanston Township High School,[6] and attended Harand Theater Camp in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin as a teenager. He played Bernardo in West Side Story there. In Illinois, he trained at Piven Theatre Workshop,[7] founded by his parents. He also attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he departed after his sophomore year to attend New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He left Tisch during his senior year to pursue his acting career[8] and is an alumnus of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.[9] He spent a semester at the National Theater Institute in Waterford, Connecticut. He has appeared in a number of films with John Cusack, who is also from Evanston and is a fellow alumnus of the Piven Theatre Workshop (as are Cusack's sisters Joan and Ann). Piven and Cusack once shared an apartment and have been friends since high school.

Career

Piven's first important role came in 1992 when he became a regular cast member on HBO's The Larry Sanders Show, in which he played the head writer Jerry. In 1993, he portrayed George Costanza on the show-within-a-show scene in the Seinfeld episode, "The Pilot". Piven was a supporting cast member on the last three seasons of the sitcom Ellen where he played the part of Ellen's cousin, Spence. He was also the star and producer of the short-lived ABC dramedy series Cupid and voiced Elongated Man in three episodes of Justice League Unlimited

Beginning in 2004, Piven achieved significant success playing fast-talking, acerbic Hollywood agent Ari Gold in the HBO series Entourage. He received Emmy[10] nominations for Best Supporting Actor four straight years from 2005 to 2008, and won the award in 2006, 2007, and 2008. 2009 was the first year in which he did not receive an Emmy Award nomination for his work on the show. He also received Golden Globe nominations from 2005 to 2010 for the role, winning in 2008.

Piven has appeared in numerous successful films, including Lucas, Grosse Pointe Blank, Singles, Very Bad Things, The Family Man, Black Hawk Down, The Kingdom, Heat, PCU, Old School, Rock N Rolla, Serendipity, Smokin' Aces, and Runaway Jury. He has also made cameo appearances in Rush Hour 2 and the US release of Cars.

In 2007, Piven appeared in the video for "Drivin' Me Wild", the third single taken from rapper Common's seventh album Finding Forever. The two were co-stars in Smokin' Aces, and appeared together when Piven hosted SNL in January 2007.[11]

Piven appeared in the first Broadway revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow, co-starring Mad Men star Elisabeth Moss and three-time Tony nominee Raul Esparza. The production began preview performances on October 3, 2008, and opened on October 23, 2008; the play was due to run through February 22, 2009. After Piven missed several performances, on December 17, 2008, Piven's rep. announced that due to an undisclosed illness, Piven would be ending his run in the play effective immediately.[12] The illness was revealed to be hydrargaria, a disease caused by exposure to mercury or its compounds, though the source is unknown. Rumours have indicated that the high level of mercury could potentially have been caused by Piven's habit of consuming fish twice a day for the past 20 years.[13] An alternative explanation is that the herbal remedies Piven was taking were responsible for his high levels of mercury.[14] Mamet joked that Piven was leaving the play "to pursue a career as a thermometer."[15] On September 1, 2009, Piven, in a guest appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, explained that he had given up red meat and poultry, and had been getting all of his protein from fish for the past 20 years. William H. Macy and Norbert Leo Butz replaced Piven in the Broadway show.[16]

On August 3, 2009, Piven was the guest host of the WWE Raw wrestling program. During an in-ring appearance, he incorrectly referred to the wrestling promotion's SummerSlam event as "Summerfest".[17]

In August 2011, Piven stated he was interested in portraying the drummer from the Who, Keith Moon.[18] In 2013 he played the title role in the British television drama series Mr Selfridge, the story of the London department store Selfridges. The show airs on the ITV network in the United Kingdom and PBS in the United States.

Personal life

Piven was born to Jewish parents (of Russian origin)[19][20] and considers himself a Jewish Buddhist.[21] He starred in the Travel Channel special Jeremy Piven's Journey of a Lifetime detailing his journey across India. Piven resides in Malibu, California. His sister is director Shira Piven, whom he has described as one of his first acting teachers; his brother-in-law is director Adam McKay.[22]

Piven is a fan of the Chicago Bears,[23] and in 1998 appeared in commercials for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Lucas Spike
One Crazy Summer Ty
1989 Say Anything... Mark
1990 Grifters, TheThe Grifters Sailor – Freshman
White Palace Kahn
1992 Player, TheThe Player Steve Reeves
Bob Roberts Candle Seller
Singles Doug Hughley
There Goes The Neighborhood Albert Lodge
1993 Twenty Bucks Nervous Quick-Mart Clerk
12:01 Howard Richter Television movie
Judgment Night Ray Cochran
1994 Floundering Guy
Car 54, Where Are You? Herbert Hortz
Twogether Arnie
PCU James "Droz" Andrews
1995 Miami Rhapsody Mitchell
Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde Peter Walston
Heat Dr. Bob
1996 Larger Than Life Walter
E=mc2 Prof. Paul Higgins
Layin' Low Jerry Muckler
Livers Ain't Cheap John
1997 Just Write Harold McMurphy
Don King: Only in America Hank Schwartz Television movie
Grosse Pointe Blank Paul Spericki
Kiss the Girls Henry Castillo, LAPD
1998 Music from Another Room Billy Swan
Phoenix Fred Shuster
Very Bad Things Michael Berkow
2000 Crew, TheThe Crew Det. Steve Menteer
Family Man, TheThe Family Man Arnie
2001 Serendipity Dean Kansky Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor
Rush Hour 2 Versace Salesman
Black Hawk Down Clifton "Elvis" Wolcott
2002 Highway Scawldy
2003 Old School Dean Gordon "Cheese" Pritchard
Runaway Jury Lawrence Green
Scary Movie 3 Ross Giggins
2004 Chasing Liberty Alan Weiss
2005 Two for the Money Jerry
Scooby-Doo! in Where's My Mummy? Rock Rivers Voice
2006 Keeping Up with the Steins Adam Fiedler
Smokin' Aces Buddy "Aces" Israel
Cars Harv Voice, American version
2007 Kingdom, TheThe Kingdom Damon Schmidt
2008 RocknRolla Roman
2009 Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, TheThe Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard Don Ready
2011 I Melt With You Ron
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World Timekeeper/Danger De Amo
2012 Pirates! Band of Misfits, TheThe Pirates! Band of Misfits Black Bellamy Voice
So Undercover Armon
2014 Edge of Tomorrow Colonel Walter Marx Uncredited role
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For Bob
2015 Entourage Ari Gold

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1990 Carol & Company Various Unknown episodes
1992–1998 Larry Sanders Show, TheThe Larry Sanders Show Jerry Capen 26 episodes
1993 Seinfeld Michael Barth 3 episodes
1995 Chicago Hope Godfrey Nabbott 2 episodes
Pride & Joy Nathan Green 6 episodes
1995–1998 Ellen Spence Kovak 60 episodes
1997 Drew Carey Show, TheThe Drew Carey Show Spence Kovak Episode: "Drew Gets Married"
Grace Under Fire Spence Kovak Episode: "Vegas"
Coach Spence Kovak Episode: "Viva Las Ratings"
Duckman Victor DeMann Episode: "Ebony, Baby"
1998–1999 Cupid Trevor Hale/Cupid 15 episodes
2000 Will & Grace Nicholas Episode: "Love Plus One"
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Brain Pod #57 Episode: "Star Crossed"
2002 Twilight Zone, TheThe Twilight Zone Tyler Ward "The Lineman" parts 1 & 2
2003 Spider-Man Roland Gaines 2 episodes
2004–2005 Justice League Unlimited Elongated Man 3 episodes
2004–2011 Entourage Ari Gold 96 episodes
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2006–08)
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (2005–07, 2009–10)
Nominated—Golden Nymph Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (2008, 2010)
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series (2007–09)
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2007–09)
2007 Saturday Night Live Host Episode: "Jeremy Piven/AFI"
2009 WWE Raw Host/Himself Episode: "3 August 2009"
2013–2016 Mr Selfridge Harry Selfridge 40 episodes

Awards and nominations

Year Nominated work Association Category Result
2002 Serendipity Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
2005 Entourage Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
2006 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Won
Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
2007 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Won
Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2008 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Won
Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2009 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2010 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Jeremy Piven Biography". filmreference. 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  2. "Jeremy Piven as Ari – Entourage". HBO. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  3. "Piven, Byrne". Chicago Tribune. 2002-02-21.
  4. Jewish Daily Forward: "Actor ‘Hugs Out’ His Jewish Side" By Jordana Horn May 12, 2006
  5. http://blogs.forward.com/the-arty-semite/173651/jeremy-piven-on-ari-gold-and-mr-selfridge/
  6. Dandelife.com : Story : "poo is in *newsweek*", by caroline m Archived October 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  7. "Piven Theatre Workshop – Home". Piventheatre.org. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  8. "Jeremy Piven, Employing His Acting Skills". washingtonpost.com. 2004-07-14. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  9. "List of famous PIKES". Iastatepikes.com. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  10. "Jeremy Piven Emmy Nominated". Emmys.com. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  11. SNL Archives | Episode. Retrieved October 10, 2007.
  12. Docs Tell Piven: Broadway is Bad for Your Health TMZ, December 17, 2008
  13. NFI Response to Jeremy's Piven's Claims About Fish and Mercury on YouTube
  14. "Discussion of the possible cause of poisoning". Jdc325.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  15. Jeremy Piven Abruptly Departs Broadway's Speed-the-Plow Playbill, December 17, 2008
  16. Silverman, Stephen M. (2008-12-18). "Jeremy Piven Abruptly Abandons Broadway Play". people.com.
  17. WWE Summerfest on YouTube
  18. "Jeremy Piven wants to play Keith Moon?". Keithmoonmovie.com. 2011-08-15. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  19. "Jeremy Piven Gets A Body Double". YouTube. 2009-04-22. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  20. "Jeremy Piven Discusses American Muscle Cars, Hot Wheels, and Being a Jewish Buddhist". Complex. 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  21. "The Star Online eCentral: Jeremy’s journey". Star-ecentral.com. 2006-10-17. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  22. "Interview: Shira and Jeremy Piven Discuss Their Indie Comedy, "Fully Loaded"". ulu.com. 2013-04-01. Retrieved 2014-09-13.
  23. "Jeremy Piven juggles movie premiere, watching Bears". ESPN. Retrieved February 15, 2011.

External links

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