RIALTO CHATTER: Piven's Turn, 'My Life Has Always Been In The Theatre'

Former Speed-The-Plow star Jeremy Piven was out and about at last night's Golden Globe Awards, and was vocal regarding his scandalous exit from the Broadway production.

In an exchange with Fox News' Roger Friedman at one of the many post show parties Piven attempted to give his side of things,"I was so sick for most of the run of the show. Some days I would sleep right until the time I had to go to the theater. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I was exhausted. Finally, I went to a doctor at Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut just so it wouldn't turn into a circus. He said, 'you've got to stop working.' My heart rate was 47. My mercury level was off the charts. I hadn't had a real break in 20 years of acting.'"

When asked by Friedman if the many skeptical comments regarding his "mercury madness" affected him, his answer was quick and direct, "My life has always been in the theater. I was raised in the theater. To read the entire interview go here.

Jeremy Piven claimed he was way too sick with "mercury poisoning" to show up for his Broadway show and abruptly left the production under a cloud of questions and mystery.

In a Dec. 18 statement the play's producers gave a statement regarding the Piven exit, "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. Consequently, he has left the production ten weeks early."

Piven was scheduled to perform throughout the show's run, which is scheduled to run until Feb. 22nd.

Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz stepped into the role of Bobby Gould on Dec. 23rd at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

The cast of Speed-The-Plow by David Mamet also features three-time Tony-nominee Raúl Esparza (The Homecoming, Company) and Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men). Neil Pepe (David Mamet's Romance, Ethan Coen's Almost an Evening) directs.

The show is playing at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (located at 243 West 47th St.). Tickets are sold through Telecharge.com or 212-239-6200.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.