Jeremy Piven abruptly leaves Broadway's 'Speed-the-Plow'

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