Jeremy Piven Talks About Mercury Poisoning Controversy

Jeremy Piven Cleared in Sushi Scandal
Entourage star Jeremy Piven has opened up about his mercury poisoning controversy, saying: "Everybody loves a good fish story." The actor, who plays Ari Gold on the HBO and ITV2 hit, bowed out of his lead role in the Broadway production of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow late last year after complaining of severe bouts of fatigue. Piven said at the time the illness was caused by mercury poisoning from eating fish for 20 years, but sceptical producers - who sued the star for breach of contract - suggested his penchant for staying out late at night more likely caused his fatigue. Piven appeared on the Late Show With David Letterman to put his side of the story forward, days after a New York judge sided with him at an arbitration hearing Piven said: "I ended up in the hospital - I spent three days there. A cardiologist told me I had a resting heart rate of 47 and I had arrhythmia and elevated levels of mercury. "He told me you can't go back. I had a decision at that moment either to take his advice or to say, 'Screw you, I'm going to jump back on that stage.' "This kind of turned into I ate a bad piece of Yellowtail and bolted! "I think everyone loves a good fish story." Piven said he is now feeling better having abstained from fish for a whole year.
Published 9/2/09 by

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