Piven, who is probably best known as Entourage’s Ari Gold, had been playing the role of Charlie Fox in 20th Anniversary revival of the play since preview performances began October 3.

Speed the Plow was written by David Mamet, the Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and author renown for his cynical, street-smart dialogue many have come to call Mamet speak. He’s the brain behind such gems as Glengarry Glen Ross , The Verdict and Wag the Dog.

Actors drop out of projects all the time, but I had to mention this one simply so I could post Mamet’s retort:

“I talked to Jeremy on the phone, and he told me that he discovered that he had a very high level of mercury,” Mamet said. “So my understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer.”

Well done, sir. Well done.