Jeremy Piven Explained

Jeremy Piven
Birth Name:Jeremy Samuel Piven
Birth Date:1965 7, mf=yes
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Years Active:1980–present
Parents:Joyce Hiller Piven (mother)
Byrne Piven (father)
Family:Shira Piven (sister)
Adam McKay (brother-in-law)

Jeremy Samuel Piven (born July 26, 1965) 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.[1] 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

Piven was born in Manhattan and raised in a Reconstructionist Jewish[2] [3] family of Ukrainian Jewish descent.[4] [5] [6] [3]

His parents are Byrne Piven (1929–2002) and Joyce Hiller Piven (née Goldstein), both of whom were actors and drama teachers.[7] [8] His elder sister is director Shira Piven, whom he has described as one of his first acting teachers; his brother-in-law is director Adam McKay.[9]

Piven grew up in Evanston, Illinois,[10] and graduated from Evanston Township High School.[11] 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,[12] 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[13] and is an alumnus of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.[14] 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.[15]

Career

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[16] 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.[17]

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.[18] 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. 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

Piven resides in Malibu, California.[9]

Piven plays drums and has played on stage with the notable Chicago-based progressive rock / jam band Umphrey's McGee in 2004.[22]

Piven is a fan of the Chicago Bears.[23]

Sexual assault allegations

On October 30, 2017, adult film actress and reality television personality Ariane Bellamar[24] made accusations via Twitter that Piven had groped her.[25] The next day, Piven responded to these allegations, writing: "I unequivocally deny the appalling allegations being peddled about me. It did not happen".[26] 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".[27] 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".[28] Piven responded to the allegations, calling them "absolutely false and completely fabricated". A representative for Piven said the actor was "looking at legal options".[29] [28]

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.".[30] [31]

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".[32] 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.[33]

In January 2018, BuzzFeed published an article in which three more women accused Piven of "sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior". Piven denied the allegations.[34] [35]

Filmography

Film

style="background:#FFFFCC;"
Denotes works that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
1986Lucas'Spike'
One Crazy SummerTy
1989Say Anything...Mark
1990Sailor, Freshman
White PalaceKahn
1992Steve Reeves
TwogetherArnie
Bob RobertsCandle Seller
SinglesDoug Hughley
There Goes The NeighborhoodAlbert Lodge
1993Twenty BucksNervous Quick-Mart Clerk
Judgment NightRay Cochran
12:01Howard Richter
1994Car 54, Where Are You?Herbert Hortz
FlounderingGuy
PCUJames 'Droz' Andrews
1995Miami RhapsodyMitchell
Dr. Jekyll and Ms. HydePeter Walston
HeatDr. Bob
1996Livers Ain't CheapJohn
E=mc2Professor Paul Higgins
Larger Than LifeWalter
Layin' LowJerry Muckler
1997Just WriteHarold McMurphy
Grosse Pointe BlankPaul Spericki
Kiss the GirlsLAPD Detective Henry Castillo
1998Music from Another RoomBilly Swan
PhoenixDetective Fred Shuster
Very Bad ThingsMichael Berkow
2000Detective Steve Menteer
Arnie
2001Rush Hour 2Versace Salesman
SerendipityDean Kansky
Black Hawk DownCW4 Clifton 'Elvis' Wolcott
2002HighwayScawldy
2003Old SchoolDean Gordon 'Cheese' Pritchard
Runaway JuryLawrence Green
Scary Movie 3Ross Giggins
2004Chasing LibertyAlan Weiss
2005Two for the MoneyJerry
Scooby-Doo! in Where's My Mummy?Rock RiversVoice, direct-to-video[36]
2006CarsHarvVoice, American version
Keeping Up with the SteinsAdam Fiedler
Smokin' AcesRobert 'Buddy Aces' Israel
2007Damon Schmidt
2008RocknRollaRoman
2009Don Ready
2011I Melt With YouRon
Timekeeper, Danger D'Amo
2012Black BellamyVoice
So UndercoverArmon
Welcome to MeAdditional voices
2014Edge of TomorrowColonel Walter MarxUncredited role
Detective Bob
2015EntourageAri Gold
2020Close Encounters of the Fifth KindNarrator
My Dad's Christmas DateDavid
2021Last CallSeamus 'Mick' McDougal
American NightVincent
Ghost KillersGreg
2022The WalkJohnny Bunkley
The SystemWarden Lucas
2023SweetwaterJoe Lapchick[37]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1990Carol & CompanyVariousUnknown episodes
1991–1998RugratsVarious charactersVoice, 4 episodes
1992–1998Jerry Capen26 episodes
1993SeinfeldMichael BarthEpisode: "The Pilot"
12:01Howard RichterTelevision film
1995Chicago HopeGodfrey Nabbott2 episodes
Pride & JoyNathan Green6 episodes
1995–1998EllenSpence Kovak72 episodes
1997Spence KovakEpisode: "Drew Gets Married"
Grace Under FireSpence KovakEpisode: "Vegas"
CoachSpence KovakEpisode: "Viva Las Ratings"
DuckmanVictor DeMannVoice, episode: "Ebony, Baby"
Hank SchwartzTelevision film
1998HerculesNemean LionVoice, episode: "Hercules and the Hero of Athens"
1998–1999CupidTrevor Hale, Cupid15 episodes
2000Will & GraceNicholasEpisode: "Love Plus One"
Buzz Lightyear of Star CommandBrain Pod #57Voice, episode: "Star Crossed"
2002Tyler WardEpisode: "The Lineman"
2003Roland GainesVoice, episode: "Mind Games"
2004–2005Justice League UnlimitedElongated ManVoice, 3 episodes
2004–2011EntourageAri Gold96 episodes
2007Saturday Night LiveHostEpisode: "Jeremy Piven/AFI"
2009WWE RawHost / HimselfEpisode: "August 3, 2009"
2013–2016Mr SelfridgeHarry Selfridge40 episodes
2017–2018Wisdom of the CrowdJeffrey TannerMain role (13 episodes)

Awards and nominations

Year Nominated work Association Category Result
2002SerendipitySaturn AwardsBest Supporting Actor
2005EntouragePrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Golden Globe AwardsBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
2006Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Golden Globe AwardsBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Satellite AwardsBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
2007Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Golden Globe AwardsBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
2008Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Golden Globe AwardsBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
2009Golden Globe AwardsBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
2010Golden Globe AwardsBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bio. Jeremy Piven. en-US. 2018-08-17.
  2. News: Actor 'Hugs Out' His Jewish Side. Jewish Daily Forward . Horn, Jordana . May 12, 2006.
  3. Web site: Jeremy Piven on Ari Gold and 'Mr. Selfridge'. 28 August 2017.
  4. Web site: Jeremy Piven Gets A Body Double . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/ffkV1UVxODc. 2021-11-07 . live. YouTube . 2009-04-22 . 2012-03-16.
  5. Web site: Jeremy Piven Discusses American Muscle Cars, Hot Wheels, and Being a Jewish Buddhist . Complex . 2011-02-18 . 2012-03-16.
  6. Web site: Jeremy's journey . The Star Online eCentral . 2006-10-17 . 2012-03-16 . September 30, 2007 . https://archive.today/20070930165159/http://star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2006/10/17/tvnradio/15610460&sec=tvnradio . dead .
  7. Web site: Jeremy Piven as Ari – Entourage . HBO . 2012-03-16 . January 7, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100107032920/http://www.hbo.com/entourage/cast/actor/jeremy_piven.html . dead .
  8. News: Piven, Byrne . Chicago Tribune . 2002-02-21.
  9. Web site: Interview: Shira and Jeremy Piven Discuss Their Indie Comedy, "Fully Loaded" . Hulu . April 1, 2013 . September 13, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140914045922/http://blog.hulu.com/2013/04/01/interview-shira-and-jeremy-piven-discuss-their-indie-comedy-fully-loaded/ . September 14, 2014 . dead .
  10. Web site: Jeremy Piven Biography . filmreference . 2008 . 2008-10-29.
  11. Web site: Distinguished alums honored at ETHS. Charles. Bartling. December 4, 2013. August 28, 2017.
  12. Web site: Piven Theatre Workshop – Home . Piventheatre.org . 2012-03-16.
  13. News: Jeremy Piven, Employing His Acting Skills . Washington Post. 2004-07-14 . 2012-03-16.
  14. Web site: List of famous PIKES . Iastatepikes.com . 2012-03-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120425083400/http://www.iastatepikes.com/id18.html . 2012-04-25.
  15. Web site: Why Jeremy Piven Thinks Jealousy Ruined His Friendship With John Cusack. Andrew. Miller. October 28, 2023. February 1, 2024.
  16. Web site: Jeremy Piven Emmy Nominated . Emmys.com . 2012-03-16.
  17. http://snlarc.jt.org/ep.php?i=200701208 SNL Archives | Episode
  18. https://www.tmz.com/2008/12/17/docs-to-piven-broadway-is-bad-for-your-health/ Docs Tell Piven: Broadway is Bad for Your Health
  19. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/124437.html Jeremy Piven Abruptly Departs Broadway's Speed-the-Plow
  20. News: Jeremy Piven Abruptly Abandons Broadway Play. Silverman. Stephen M. . 2008-12-18. People.
  21. Web site: Jeremy Piven wants to play Keith Moon? . Keithmoonmovie.com . 2011-08-15 . 2012-03-16.
  22. Web site: Umphrey's McGee Live at Irving Plaza on 2004-12-10. 2004-12-10 . 2019-01-19.
  23. News: Jeremy Piven juggles movie premiere, watching Bears. ESPN. February 15, 2011.
  24. News: 'Millionaire Matchmaker' Porno Scandal: Series Star Ariane Bellamar's X-Rated Past Revealed PLUS What Patti Stanger Doesn't Want You To Know . Melissa . Cronin. April 18, 2014 . Radar Online . February 18, 2019.
  25. News: Jeremy Piven 'Unequivocally' Denies Groping Allegations . Erin . Nyren. October 31, 2017 . Variety . January 29, 2018.
  26. News: Messer . Lesley . Chervokas . Jason . Jeremy Piven 'unequivocally' denies 'appalling' groping allegations . November 1, 2017 . ABC News . November 1, 2017.
  27. News: Delbyck . Cole . 'Smallville' Actress Cassidy Freeman Calls Out Jeremy Piven's 'Predatory Behavior'. November 2, 2017 . Huffington Post . November 2, 2017.
  28. Web site: Jeremy Piven Says Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Him 'Are Absolutely False & Completely Fabricated'. Greg. Evans. November 10, 2017 . Deadline . January 29, 2018.
  29. News: Jeremy Piven on Hollywood sex scandal: 'Careers are being destroyed based on mere allegations'. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/jeremy-piven-instagram-sexual-allegations-response-denial-a8048511.html . June 8, 2022 . subscription . live . November 10, 2017. The Independent. January 29, 2018.
  30. News: Stolworthy . Jacob . November 21, 2017 . Jeremy Piven has taken a lie detector test after sexual misconduct allegations . subscription . live . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jeremy-piven-groping-allegations-lie-detector-test-arianne-bellamar-entourage-a8066891.html . June 8, 2022 . November 22, 2017 . The Independent . en-GB.
  31. Web site: 'Entourage' Extra Alleges Jeremy Piven Sexually Assaulted Her In 2009 – Report . Nancy . Tartaglione . November 23, 2017 . Deadline. January 29, 2018.
  32. News: Another woman has accused Jeremy Piven of sexual misconduct on the set of HBO's 'Entourage'. Business Insider . January 29, 2018.
  33. Web site: Wisdom of the Crowd Cancelled Amid Jeremy Piven Sexual Assault Scandal . Schwartz. Ryan . TVLine. November 27, 2017. December 12, 2017.
  34. Web site: Yandoli . Krystie Lee . January 27, 2018 . Exclusive: Three More Women Are Accusing Jeremy Piven Of Sexual Misconduct . January 29, 2018 . Buzzfeed.
  35. Jeremy Piven Faces Sexual Misconduct Allegations From 3 More Women . https://web.archive.org/web/20180128204540/http://time.com/5122036/jeremy-piven-allegations/ . dead . January 28, 2018 . Time . January 29, 2018.
  36. Web site: Jeremy Piven (visual voices guide) . April 3, 2024 . Behind The Voice Actors. 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 opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  37. Web site: Lang . Brent . 2022-10-11 . Briarcliff Entertainment Buys Sweetwater, Drama About Pioneering African American NBA Player (Exclusive) . 2023-02-19 . . December 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221230174810/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/briarcliff-entertainment-sweetwater-movie-nba-basketball-nathaniel-clifton-1235399050/ . live .