Jeremy Piven abruptly leaves Broadway’s ‘Speed-the-Plow’

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When Jeremy Piven made his Broadway debut in October in David Mamet’s ‘Speed-the-Plow,’ he drew almost unanimous rave reviews for his portrayal of Hollywood shark Bobby Gould.

Today, Variety is reporting that Piven -- best known to most of the world as ‘Entourage’s’ foulmouthed agent Ari Gold -- has left the show because of a condition that is ‘attributable to a high mercury count.’

Reports say the show, which is scheduled to end its limited engagement Feb. 22, will go on (although a replacement hasn’t been named).

Variety caught up with playwright Mamet, who commented: ‘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.’

Read the report here.

-- Lisa Fung

Caption: Raul Esparza, left, Jeremy Piven and Elisabeth Moss in David Mamet’s ‘Speed-the-Plow.’ Credit: Brigitte Lacombe