Jeremy Piven

Jeremy Samuel Piven (b. July 26, 1965, in New York, New York) is an American actor who is perhaps best known for his role as Ari Gold on the HBO series Entourage

Early life

Born to Byrne Piven and Joyce Hiller, Jeremy Piven grew up in Evanston, Illinois and graduated from Evanston Township High School before attending Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He has worked for the Piven Theatre Workshop, which was founded by his parents, Byrne (deceased) and Joyce Hiller Piven. He has appeared in a number of films with close friend John Cusack, who is an alumnus of the Piven Theatre Workshop (as are Cusack's sisters Joan and Ann).

Career

He is currently playing Hollywood agent Ari Gold in the HBO series Entourage, and received an Emmy nomination for this role in 2005 and again in 2006. Piven was also the star and producer of the short-lived ABC dramedy series Cupid, and was a supporting cast member on the last three seasons of the sitcom Ellen.

Piven says, of Chicago: "I have a place in Chicago and I get there as much as I can. ... The city is so unbelievably beautiful. It's one of the greatest cities on the planet. My heart beats differently when I'm in Chicago. It slows down and I feel more at ease." He also insisted that Cupid be filmed in Chicago.

Although Piven is Jewish he shares beliefs of many Eastern Religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Piven starred in a Travel Channel special detailing his journey across India.

Cinemania Magazine had reported in 2004 that star Jeremy Piven has been rumored to be playing supporting lead roles in the possible 2008 film, Jurassic Park IV. But as of yet, it has not been confirmed.

Filmography

Cars (2006) - Harv (voice)
Keeping Up with the Steins (2006) - Adam Fiedler
Two for the Money (2005) - Jerry
Chasing Liberty (2004) - Alan Weiss
Scary Movie 3 (2003) - Ross Giggins
Runaway Jury (2003) - Lawrence Green
Old School (2003) - Dean Gordon Pritchard
Me and Daphne (2002) - Interviewer
Highway (2002) - Scawldy
Black Hawk Down (2001) - CWO Cliff 'Elvis' Wolcott
Serendipity (2001) - Dean Kansky
Rush Hour 2 (2001) - Versace Salesman
The Family Man (2000) - Arnie
The Crew (2000) - Det. Steve Menteer
Red Letters (2000) - Thurston Clarque
Music From Another Room (1998) - Billy Swan
Very Bad Things (1998) - Michael Berkow
Phoenix (1998) - Fred Shuster
Only in America (1997) TV movie - Hank Schwartz
Kiss the Girls (1997) - Henry Castillo, LAPD
Livers Ain't Cheap (1997) - John
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) - Paul Spericki
Just Write (1997) - Harold McMurphy
Larger Than Life (1996) - Walter
E=mc2 (1996) - Dr. Paul Higgins
Layin' Low (1996) - Jerry
Heat (1995) - Dr. Bob
Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde (1995) - Pete Walston
Miami Rhapsody (1995) - Mitchell
PCU (1994) - James 'Droz' Andrews
Car 54, Where Are You? (1994) - Herbert Hortz
Floundering (1994) - Guy
The Ticket (1994) - Miles Mountjoy
Twogether (1994) - Arnie
Twenty Bucks (1993) - Nervous Quick-Mart Clerk
Judgment Night (1993) - Ray Cochran
01 (1993) TV movie - Howard Richter
There Goes the Neighborhood (1992) - Albert Lodge
Singles (1992) - Doug Hughley
Bob Roberts (1992) - Candle Seller
The Voice of a Stranger (1992) - Patrolman
The Player (1992) - Steve Reeves
White Palace (1990) - Kahn
The Grifters (1990) - Sailor - Freshman
Say Anything... (1989) - Mark
Elvis Stories (1989) - Lenny
One Crazy Summer (1986) - Ty
Lucas (1986) - Spike

TV series

Entourage (2004) - Ari Gold
Justice League Unlimited (2004) - Elongated Man
Partners (1999) (pilot) - Nick
Cupid (1998) - Trevor Hale
Ellen (1994) - Spence Kovak (1995-1998)
Pride & Joy (1995) TV Series - Nathan Green
Seinfeld (1993) - "George" in the TV show 'Jerry' in Season 4 episodes "The Pilot (1)" and "The Pilot (2)"
The Larry Sanders Show (1992) - Jerry Capen (1992-1993)
Rugrats (1991) - additional voices
Carol & Company (1990) - skit characters
( Also appears in Cincinnati Bell commercials for the Mid-West phone company.)

Trivia

Piven performed the 7th Inning Stretch's "Take me out to the Ball Game" at Wrigley Field on Father's Day, 2006, as a guest conductor. Piven gave the cue to Chicago Cubs fans, but said, "Lets hug it out you bitches," a line he made famous as his character Ari Gold on the hit HBO show Entourage. He apologized on WGN TV and claimed it was an accident on the June 28's Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

External links

Jeremy Piven on MySpace