Actor Jeremy Piven left the cast of the popular Broadway revival of David Mamet’s play, “Speed-the-Plow,” this week, as his doctor recommended him to stop performing because of his precarious health condition.

 

The 43-year-old suffers from elevated levels of mercury, which appear to have been the result of too much fish consumption.

 

Broadway producer Jeffrey Richards announced on Thursday that Emmy award winner William H. Macy and Tony award winner Norbert Leo Butz would replace Jeremy Piven as the foul-mouthed Hollywood producer Bobby Gould. Butz will reportedly fill the shoes of the executive from December 23-January 11 and Macy will take over the role on January 13 until the production’s planned close on February 22.

 

Although Jeremy Piven, who is famous for his role in the television show “Entourage,” had been expected to take part in the production until late February, he left the cast on Wednesday after failing to deliver a couple of performances this week.

 

Dr. Carlon Colker, who has been treating the actor, said during the Entertainment Tonight TV show that his patient had six times the normal amount of mercury in his system. In addition, he said that Jeremy Piven’s problem could have been caused by the consumption of too much sushi, since he used to eat sushi at least twice a day, and Chinese herbs.

 

He explained that symptoms included faintness and exhaustion and that rest was recommended in such cases.

 

However, David Mamet seemed skeptical with regard to the diagnosis of the actor. Referring to Jeremy Piven’s high level of mercury diagnosis, Mamet said: “So my understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer.”