Jeremy Piven

Jeremy Piven, born on July 26, 1965, is an American actor and comedian primarily recognized for his portrayal of Ari Gold in the comedy series "Entourage." His performance in the role earned him widespread acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award and three consecutive Emmy Awards. Piven's portrayal of the high-powered talent agent Ari Gold became one of the most iconic characters in television history.
In addition to his role in "Entourage," Piven has showcased his versatility as an actor in various projects. He starred in the British period drama "Mr. Selfridge," portraying the titular character, Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of the famous English department store Selfridges. His performance in the series was well-received, demonstrating his ability to excel in both comedic and dramatic roles.
Piven's talent and comedic timing were also evident in his portrayal of Spence Kovak on Ellen DeGeneres's sitcom "Ellen." His contributions to the show added to its comedic appeal and further showcased his range as an actor.
Throughout his career, Piven has demonstrated his ability to captivate audiences with his charisma, wit, and versatility. His memorable performances across various genres have solidified his status as a respected and accomplished actor in the entertainment industry.


Jeremy Piven was born in Manhattan and raised in a Reconstructionist Jewish family of Ukrainian Jewish descent. His parents, Byrne Piven and Joyce Hiller Piven (née Goldstein), were both actors and drama teachers. Piven has an elder sister, director Shira Piven, who he has credited as one of his first acting teachers, and a brother-in-law, director Adam McKay.
He spent his formative years in Evanston, Illinois, where he attended Evanston Township High School. During his teenage years, he honed his acting skills at the Piven Theatre Workshop, founded by his parents. Piven also attended Harand Theater Camp in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where he participated in productions like "West Side Story." Later, he briefly attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, before transferring to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. However, he left Tisch during his senior year to pursue his acting career. Piven is an alumnus of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and also spent a semester at the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut.
Throughout his career, Piven has collaborated with fellow actor John Cusack on multiple films. Both Piven and Cusack hail from Evanston and are alumni of the Piven Theatre Workshop. The two have been friends since high school, and Piven even shared an apartment with Cusack at one point in their lives.


Jeremy Piven's career spans across various mediums, including television, film, and stage. He gained recognition for his role as the head writer Jerry on HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show" in the early 1990s. Piven's versatility allowed him to portray a wide range of characters, from George Costanza in a memorable episode of "Seinfeld" to Ellen's cousin Spence on the sitcom "Ellen."
However, Piven's breakout role came in 2004 when he portrayed the fast-talking and sharp-witted Hollywood agent Ari Gold in HBO's hit series "Entourage." His performance as Ari Gold earned him critical acclaim, including several Emmy nominations and wins, as well as Golden Globe nominations.


Aside from his television work, Piven has appeared in numerous films, showcasing his acting prowess in both comedic and dramatic roles. Some of his notable film credits include "Judgment Night," "Grosse Pointe Blank," "Very Bad Things," "Black Hawk Down," and "Smokin' Aces." He has also made cameo appearances in popular films such as "Rush Hour 2" and "Cars."
Piven's talents extend beyond acting, as he has also dabbled in producing and directing. He appeared in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow" and has expressed interest in portraying the drummer from the Who, Keith Moon.
In addition to his entertainment career, Piven has ventured into stand-up comedy, showcasing his comedic chops on stage. He continues to be active in the entertainment industry, appearing in various projects and making guest appearances on television programs to promote his work.


The allegations of sexual assault against Jeremy Piven emerged in late 2017, sparking controversy and leading to a public response from the actor. Adult film actress Ariane Bellamar was the first to accuse Piven of groping her, followed by allegations from other women, including Cassidy Freeman and Tiffany Bacon Scourby.
Piven vehemently denied these allegations, stating that the events described did not occur. He emphasized his innocence and expressed shock at the accusations. In response to the allegations, Piven voluntarily took a polygraph test, which he passed, indicating no signs of deception. However, it's worth noting that the accuracy of polygraph tests has been widely debated.


Despite Piven's denial, the allegations had consequences for his career. CBS decided not to order a full season of "Wisdom of the Crowd," a show in which Piven starred, citing weak ratings and the sexual harassment allegations. Furthermore, in January 2018, BuzzFeed published an article in which three more women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior against Piven.
Piven continued to deny these allegations, characterizing them as fabricated attempts to gain attention or financial compensation. He maintained that he has never engaged in non-consensual or aggressive behavior towards women. The situation underscores the complex and often contentious nature of addressing allegations of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry.

References

1.  "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'". 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.