Arts News

Fish story may end Jeremy Piven's chance for Tony Award

By April MacIntyre Mar 2, 2009, 1:11 GMT

US actor Jeremy Piven. Three-time Emmy Award winner Jeremy Piven ("Entourage") attended an arbitration hearing Thursday to defend himself before the Broadway community. EPA/PAUL BUCK

A case of ill-timed alleged Mercury-poisonng may kill a star's award chances on the Great White Way.

Three-time Emmy Award winner Jeremy Piven ("Entourage") attended an arbitration hearing Thursday to defend himself before the Broadway community.

CNN reported that Piven appeared before the Actors Equity by the producers of "Speed-the-Plow" to explain why he left the production in mid-December, just weeks after making his debut to rave reviews on Broadway.

Piven bowed out, and claimed a severe case of fatigue which was brought on by alleged high levels of mercury in his bloodstream from a sushi diet.

The departure instigated the play's author, David Mamet, to dish a snarky comment to the media: "My understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer."

It was reported that Piven convinced five actors in attendance with his sushi poisoning story while the five producing representatives remained unconvinced.

The producers of the show can now pursue arbitration against the actor even though the play, "Speed the Plow" made a profit.