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Jeremy Piven

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Jeremy Piven
Piven in February 2009
Born
Jeremy Samuel Piven

(1965-07-26) July 26, 1965 (age 59)
New York City, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1980–present
Parent(s)Joyce Hiller Piven (mother)
Byrne Piven (father)
FamilyShira Piven (sister)
Adam McKay (brother-in-law)

Jeremy Samuel Piven (born July 26, 1965)[1] is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Ari Gold in the comedy series Entourage, for which he won a Golden Globe Award and three consecutive Emmy Awards.[2] He also starred in the British period drama Mr Selfridge, which tells the story of the man who created the English department store Selfridges, and portrayed Spence Kovak on Ellen DeGeneres's sitcom Ellen.

Early years

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Piven was born in Manhattan and raised in a Reconstructionist Jewish[3][4] family of Ukrainian Jewish descent.[5][6][7][4]

His parents are Byrne Piven (1929–2002) and Joyce Hiller Piven (née Goldstein), both of whom were actors and drama teachers.[1][8][9] His elder sister is director Shira Piven, whom he has described as one of his first acting teachers.

Piven grew up in Evanston, Illinois,[1] and graduated from Evanston Township High School.[10] As a teenager, he attended Harand Theater Camp in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where he played Bernardo in West Side Story. In Illinois, he trained at Piven Theatre Workshop,[11] 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[12] and is an alumnus of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.[13] He spent a semester at the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut.

He has appeared in several 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.[14]

Career

[edit]

One of Piven's early roles was Spike in Lucas (1986). His first important role came in 1992 when he became a regular cast member on HBO's The Larry Sanders Show, where he played head writer Jerry. He left the show in the second season after growing tired of the role, because his character was not given much of a background.

In 1993, he portrayed George Costanza on the show-within-a-show scene in the two-part Seinfeld episode "The Pilot". He was a supporting cast member on the last three seasons of the sitcom Ellen, where he played Ellen's cousin Spence. He also starred in and produced 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 as the fast-talking, acerbic Hollywood agent Ari Gold in the HBO series Entourage. He received Emmy[15] nominations for Best Supporting Actor for four straight years, from 2005 to 2008, and won the award in 2006, 2007 and 2008. He also received Golden Globe nominations for the role from 2005 to 2010, and won in 2008.

Piven has appeared in numerous films, including Judgment Night, 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 U.S. release of Cars.

In 2007, Piven appeared in the video for "Drivin' Me Wild", the third single 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.[16]

Piven appeared in the first Broadway revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow. 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 representation announced that he had been suffering from hydrargyria, and would be ending his run in the play effective immediately.[17][18][dead link‍] Mamet joked that Piven was leaving the play "to pursue a career as a thermometer."[19] 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.[20]

On August 3, 2009, Piven guest hosted the WWE Raw wrestling program.[citation needed] In August 2011, he stated he was interested in portraying the drummer from the Who, Keith Moon.[21] From 2013 to 2016, he played the title role in the British television drama series Mr Selfridge, the semi-fictional story based on the life of Harry Selfridge, who founded the London department store Selfridge's. The show aired on the ITV network in the United Kingdom and on PBS in the United States.

On August 1, 2019, Piven appeared on a KTVU morning news segment to promote a standup comedy show he was to perform in the next night in San Francisco.

Personal life

[edit]

Piven resides in Malibu, California.[22] His brother-in-law is director Adam McKay.[22]

Piven plays drums and has played on stage with the notable Chicago-based progressive rock / jam band Umphrey's McGee in 2004.[23]

Piven is a fan of the Chicago Bears.[24]

Sexual assault allegations

[edit]

On October 30, 2017, adult film actress and reality television personality Ariane Bellamar[25] made accusations via Twitter that Piven had groped her.[26] The next day, Piven responded to these allegations, writing: "I unequivocally deny the appalling allegations being peddled about me. It did not happen".[27] Cassidy Freeman came to Bellamar's defense in an Instagram post, stating that Piven engaged in "predatory behavior" toward her when she was "far too young".[28] On November 9, advertising executive Tiffany Bacon Scourby alleged that Piven had attacked her in 2003, stating that he had "jumped on" her, "exposed his genitals, held her hands down and began rubbing against her body until he ejaculated".[29] Piven responded to the allegations, calling them "absolutely false and completely fabricated". A representative for Piven said the actor was "looking at legal options".[30][29]

On November 13, 2017, Piven voluntarily took a polygraph test, administered by a member of the American Polygraph Association, in which he was asked a series of questions about each allegation and again denied them. He passed with "no signs of deception". On this result, The Independent emphasized that polygraph tests are "only marginally more accurate than coin flips."[31][32]

Later that month, Anastasia Taneie, who worked as an extra on Entourage, alleged that Piven "confronted her in a dark hallway and groped her breast and genitals as he forcefully pushed her against a wall".[33] On November 27, 2017, CBS decided not to order a full season of Wisdom of the Crowd following weak ratings and the allegations against Piven.[34]

In January 2018, BuzzFeed published an article in which three more women accused Piven of "sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior". Piven denied the allegations.[35][36]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
1986 Lucas 'Spike'
One Crazy Summer Ty
1989 Say Anything... Mark
1990 The Grifters Sailor, Freshman
White Palace Kahn
1992 The Player Steve Reeves
Twogether Arnie
Bob Roberts Candle Seller
Singles Doug Hughley
There Goes the Neighborhood Albert Lodge
1993 Twenty Bucks Nervous Quick-Mart Clerk
Judgment Night Ray Cochran
12:01 Howard Richter
1994 Car 54, Where Are You? Herbert Hortz
Floundering Guy
PCU James 'Droz' Andrews
1995 Miami Rhapsody Mitchell
Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde Peter Walston
Heat Dr. Bob
1996 Livers Ain't Cheap John
E=mc2 Professor Paul Higgins
Larger Than Life Walter
Layin' Low Jerry Muckler
1997 Just Write Harold McMurphy
Grosse Pointe Blank Paul Spericki
Kiss the Girls LAPD Detective Henry Castillo
1998 Music from Another Room Billy Swan
Phoenix Detective Fred Shuster
Very Bad Things Michael Berkow
2000 The Crew Detective Steve Menteer
The Family Man Arnie
2001 Rush Hour 2 Versace Salesman
Serendipity Dean Kansky
Black Hawk Down CW4 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, direct-to-video[37]
2006 Cars Harv Voice, American version[37]
Keeping Up with the Steins Adam Fiedler
Smokin' Aces Robert 'Buddy Aces' Israel
2007 The Kingdom Damon Schmidt
2008 RocknRolla Roman
2009 The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard Don Ready
2011 I Melt with You Ron
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World Timekeeper, Danger D'Amo
2012 The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! Black Bellamy Voice[37]
So Undercover Armon
Welcome to Me Additional voices
2014 Edge of Tomorrow Colonel Walter Marx Uncredited role
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For Detective Bob
2015 Entourage Ari Gold
2020 Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind Narrator
My Dad's Christmas Date David
2021 Last Call Seamus 'Mick' McDougal
American Night Vincent
Ghost Killers Greg
2022 The Walk Johnny Bunkley
The System Warden Lucas
2023 Sweetwater Joe Lapchick [38]
2025 All-Star Weekend † Danny Completed[39]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1990 Carol & Company Various Unknown episodes
1991–1998 Rugrats Various characters Voice, 4 episodes[37]
1992–1998 The Larry Sanders Show Jerry Capen 26 episodes
1993 Seinfeld Michael Barth Episode: "The Pilot"
12:01 Howard Richter Television film
1995 Chicago Hope Godfrey Nabbott 2 episodes
Pride & Joy Nathan Green 6 episodes
1995–1998 Ellen Spence Kovak 72 episodes
1997 The 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 Voice, episode: "Ebony, Baby"
Don King: Only in America Hank Schwartz Television film
1998 Hercules Nemean Lion Voice, episode: "Hercules and the Hero of Athens"
1998–1999 Cupid Trevor Hale, Cupid 15 episodes
2000 Will & Grace Nicholas Episode: "Love Plus One"
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Brain Pod #57 Voice, episode: "Star Crossed"[37]
2002 The Twilight Zone Tyler Ward Episode: "The Lineman"
2003 Spider-Man: The New Animated Series Roland Gaines Voice, episode: "Mind Games"
2004–2005 Justice League Unlimited Elongated Man Voice, 3 episodes[37]
2004–2011 Entourage Ari Gold 96 episodes
2007 Saturday Night Live Host Episode: "Jeremy Piven/AFI"
2009 WWE Raw Host/Himself Episode: "August 3, 2009"
2013–2016 Mr Selfridge Harry Selfridge 40 episodes
2017–2018 Wisdom of the Crowd Jeffrey Tanner Main role (13 episodes)

Awards and nominations

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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

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Jeremy Piven Biography". filmreference. 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
  2. ^ "Bio". Jeremy Piven. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  3. ^ Horn, Jordana (May 12, 2006). "Actor 'Hugs Out' His Jewish Side". Jewish Daily Forward.
  4. ^ a b "Jeremy Piven on Ari Gold and 'Mr. Selfridge'". Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  5. ^ "Jeremy Piven Gets A Body Double". YouTube. April 22, 2009. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  6. ^ "Jeremy Piven Discusses American Muscle Cars, Hot Wheels, and Being a Jewish Buddhist". Complex. February 18, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  7. ^ "Jeremy's journey". The Star Online eCentral. October 17, 2006. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  8. ^ "Jeremy Piven as Ari – Entourage". HBO. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  9. ^ "Piven, Byrne". Chicago Tribune. February 21, 2002.
  10. ^ Bartling, Charles (December 4, 2013). "Distinguished alums honored at ETHS". Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  11. ^ "Piven Theatre Workshop – Home". Piventheatre.org. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  12. ^ "Jeremy Piven, Employing His Acting Skills". Washington Post. July 14, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  13. ^ "List of famous PIKES". Iastatepikes.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  14. ^ Miller, Andrew (October 28, 2023). "Why Jeremy Piven Thinks Jealousy Ruined His Friendship With John Cusack". Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  15. ^ "Jeremy Piven Emmy Nominated". Emmys.com. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  16. ^ SNL Archives | Episode Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 10, 2007.
  17. ^ Docs Tell Piven: Broadway is Bad for Your Health TMZ, December 17, 2008
  18. ^ NFI Response to Jeremy's Piven's Claims About Fish and Mercury on YouTube
  19. ^ Jeremy Piven Abruptly Departs Broadway's Speed-the-Plow Archived 2008-12-20 at the Wayback Machine Playbill, December 17, 2008
  20. ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (December 18, 2008). "Jeremy Piven Abruptly Abandons Broadway Play". People.
  21. ^ "Jeremy Piven wants to play Keith Moon?". Keithmoonmovie.com. August 15, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  22. ^ a b "Interview: Shira and Jeremy Piven Discuss Their Indie Comedy, "Fully Loaded"". Hulu. April 1, 2013. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  23. ^ "Umphrey's McGee Live at Irving Plaza on 2004-12-10". December 10, 2004. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  24. ^ "Jeremy Piven juggles movie premiere, watching Bears". ESPN. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  25. ^ Cronin, Melissa (April 18, 2014). "'Millionaire Matchmaker' Porno Scandal: Series Star Ariane Bellamar's X-Rated Past Revealed PLUS What Patti Stanger Doesn't Want You To Know". Radar Online. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  26. ^ Nyren, Erin (October 31, 2017). "Jeremy Piven 'Unequivocally' Denies Groping Allegations". Variety. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  27. ^ Messer, Lesley; Chervokas, Jason (November 1, 2017). "Jeremy Piven 'unequivocally' denies 'appalling' groping allegations". ABC News. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  28. ^ Delbyck, Cole (November 2, 2017). "'Smallville' Actress Cassidy Freeman Calls Out Jeremy Piven's 'Predatory Behavior'". Huffington Post. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  29. ^ a b Evans, Greg (November 10, 2017). "Jeremy Piven Says Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Him 'Are Absolutely False & Completely Fabricated'". Deadline. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  30. ^ "Jeremy Piven on Hollywood sex scandal: 'Careers are being destroyed based on mere allegations'". The Independent. November 10, 2017. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  31. ^ Stolworthy, Jacob (November 21, 2017). "Jeremy Piven has taken a lie detector test after sexual misconduct allegations". The Independent. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  32. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (November 23, 2017). "'Entourage' Extra Alleges Jeremy Piven Sexually Assaulted Her In 2009 – Report". Deadline. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  33. ^ "Another woman has accused Jeremy Piven of sexual misconduct on the set of HBO's 'Entourage'". Business Insider. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  34. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (November 27, 2017). "Wisdom of the Crowd Cancelled Amid Jeremy Piven Sexual Assault Scandal". TVLine. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  35. ^ Yandoli, Krystie Lee (January 27, 2018). "Exclusive: Three More Women Are Accusing Jeremy Piven Of Sexual Misconduct". Buzzfeed. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  36. ^ "Jeremy Piven Faces Sexual Misconduct Allegations From 3 More Women". Time. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  37. ^ a b c d e f "Jeremy Piven (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 3, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  38. ^ Lang, Brent (October 11, 2022). "Briarcliff Entertainment Buys Sweetwater, Drama About Pioneering African American NBA Player (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  39. ^ Tangonan, EJ (August 13, 2024). "Jamie Foxx leaks the trailer to his "unreleasable" film All-Star Weekend". JoBlo. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
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