Piven bows out of Mamet revival
On the HBO series “Entourage,” Jeremy Piven plays a smart, ambitious, profane talent agent who’s penchant for self-destructive behavior often gets him in trouble.
In real life, well … word is that Piven has dropped out of the limited Broadway revival of David Mamet’s play “Speed-the-Plow.
Producer Jeffrey Richard said Thursday that two actors, Norbert Leo Butz and William H. Macy, will take Piven’s place.
“We have been advised by Jeremy Piven’s medical representatives that he is seriously ill and is unable to fulfill his contractual obligation to ‘Speed-the-Plow,’ ” the show’s producers said in a statement. “Consequently, he has left the production 10 weeks early.”
“Speed-the-Plow” opened Oct. 23 to enthusiastic notices and has been doing respectable business, grossing upward of $500,000 a week. The $2.26 million production was on the verge of recouping its costs before Piven left.
Piven, 43, collapsed Monday at his home and had been under the care of his doctor, Carlon Colker, who told Variety that Piven has been suffering from high levels of mercury.
When asked by Variety, Mamet said, “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.”
Problems in J-Lo land?
Though their publicists deny anything’s wrong, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are having marital troubles, reports US magazine. J-Lo, the mag claims, has become less dependent on Anthony since the birth of their 10-month-old twins Max and Emme.
“She walks in from work, washes her hands and grabs the babies,” a source told Us. “With him, it’s like, ‘Ugh, they’re crying again?’ ”
Will he come as Wolverine?
Oscar show producers Lawrence Mark and Bill Condon have chosen movie star Hugh Jackman as host of the 2009 broadcast. Jackman, star of screen and stage, won and Emmy for emceeing the 2005 Tony show. The Oscars will be shown on ABC Feb. 22.
‘Star Trek’ widow dies
Majel Barrett Roddenberry, widow of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry, died Thursday of leukemia at age 76. An actress who appeared in numerous “Star Trek” TV shows and movies, Roddenberry died at her home in Bel-Air, Calif. At her side were family friends and her only son, Eugene Roddenberry Jr.
Things looking up for McMahon
Ed McMahon, 85, and his wife aren’t going to be forced from their home. The former “Tonight” cohost had been facing foreclosure on his home, located in a gated community near where Britney Spears lives. But an “unnamed third party” brokered the deal that let the McMahons stay.
The birthday bunch
Comedian Charlie Callas is 81. Actor John Hillerman is 76. Drummer Peter Criss of Kiss is 63. Musician Alan Parsons is 60. Actress Jenny Agutter is 56. Actor Michael Badalucco is 54. Actress Blanche Baker is 52. Singer Billy Bragg is 51. Country singer Kris Tyler is 44. Singer Chris Robinson of Black Crowes is 42. Singer David Cook is 26. Actor Jonah Hill is 25. Singer JoJo is 18.