Jeremy Piven

Jeremy Samuel Piven (born July 26, 1965) is a versatile American actor and comedian, globally recognized for his award-winning role of Ari Gold in the comedy series 'Entourage'. He received a Golden Globe Award and three consecutive Emmy Awards for this performance. Piven showcased his breadth of talent, starring in the British period drama 'Mr Selfridge' and playing Spence Kovak on Ellen DeGeneres's sitcom 'Ellen'. Born in Manhattan, he grew up in a Reconstructionist Jewish family of Ukrainian Jewish descent. His journey into the world of acting was heavily influenced by his parents’ Byrne Piven and Joyce Hiller Piven, who were both actors and drama teachers. Piven honed his acting skills at his parents’ Piven Theatre Workshop, and the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. He has featured in several films with close friend John Cusack, fellow alumni of Piven Theatre Workshop.

In addition to his acclaimed roles in television series, Piven has an impressive portfolio in cinema. Notably, he has appeared in 'Judgment Night', 'Grosse Pointe Blank', 'Singles', 'Very Bad Things', 'The Family Man' etc. His ventures into theatre have also been substantial, featuring in the first Broadway revival of David Mamet's 'Speed-the-Plow. Despite dealing with hydrargyria, he continued working, demonstrating unwavering determination. Piven showcased his comedic talent guest-hosting the WWE Raw wrestling program, and expressed interest in portraying drummer Keith Moon from 'The Who'. From 2013 to 2016, he played the title role in 'Mr Selfridge', a British television drama. Piven's personal life is marked by his passion for playing drums, his love for the Chicago Bears, and his residence in Malibu, California. He, however, faced several allegations of sexual assault which he denied. His career hit a low when CBS did not order a full season of 'Wisdom of the Crowd' due to the allegations and weak ratings.