Jeremy Piven’s mercury poisoning: Scary or fishy?

PivenPerez Hilton may think Jeremy Piven is just playing hooky, but the actor and his doctor insist that a legitimate illness forced the actor to leave the Broadway show “Speed-the-Plow.”

J-Piv’s doc, Carlon Colker, told “ET” that the “Entourage” star has extreme mercury toxicity, and with it, fatigue, dizziness, neuro-muscular dysfunction and problems lifting his arms and legs.

Piven’s doc blames the illness on the actor’s frequent sushi consumption and use of Chinese herbs. Colker said Piven has the highest mercury level he has ever seen.

But playwright David Mamet might not be sold. “I talked to Jeremy on the phone, and he told me that he discovered that he had a very high level of mercury,” Mamet told Daily Variety. “So my understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer.”

What do you think? Will you be sending Piven a get-well card, or do you think something smells fishy? For more deets, watch “Entertainment Tonight.”

– Stephanie Lysaght

Photo: David Goldman / Associated Press

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