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Mercury Illness Was Real: Piven

Star defends decision to leave Broadway production

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 12, 2009 2:29 PM CST

(Newser) – Jeremy Piven has taken a lot of flak since leaving the Broadway production of Speed-the-Plow due to unhealthy amounts of mercury in his body—including anonymous sources who said medical reasons were a cover for the fact that he was fired—but the condition was real, the actor tells People. “I was brought to my knees by this illness,” Piven says.

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Jeremy Piven arrives at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards yesterday in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo)

Actor Jeremy Piven arrives for a taping of the "Late Show With David Letterman," Oct. 6, 2008, in New York. (AP Photo)

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It feels like the heaviest bout of mono you've ever had in your life. It was completely overwhelming to the point where you get vertigo and it's not healthy.
- Jeremy Piven, on his battle with mercury exposure

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Mercury Illness Was Real: Piven