Jeremy Piven has revealed it was four years working on a British period drama that helped him resume his role as one of Hollywood’s most volatile operators.
The American actor returns to the role of Ari Gold, a former agent who is now the head of a movie studio, for the big screen version of hit TV show Entourage.
The series ended in 2011 and Jeremy left Los Angeles behind to play department store founder Harry Selfridge in the ITV drama Mr Selfridge.
Speaking at the world premiere of the highly anticipated film, Jeremy said he could not have done it without the years spent working with British actors.
“It was a lot of pressure but I really believe that doing Mr Selfridge, doing four seasons of a British period drama with the best actors in the world, tuned by game up so I was able to contribute on a higher level and to come to it with fresh eyes.
“I hadn’t heard Ari’s voice in four years, I hadn’t thought about any of that and I left it all behind so I came to it with a clean slate.”
The film reunites the television show’s original cast, including Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Dillon, as film star Vincent Chase makes his directorial debut but runs into difficulty with the film studio and the financiers.
Actor Mark Wahlberg, who produced the film, said a look behind the curtain holds enduring appeal.
He told reporters at the premiere: “They are regular guys living the dream, normal guys living in an extraordinary world trying to figure it all out.”
The movie features constant cameos from famous faces ranging from Mike Tyson to Warren Buffet, as well as a role for Piers Morgan as himself.
The former newspaper editor, talent show judge and CNN host said his role finally won him the approval of his children.
“I got a call from the director Doug Ellin, who said I’m making a movie and I said yes before I even knew.
“I called my sons, who were fanatics, and they told me ‘this is the only good thing you have done in your entire miserable life.’ So I felt great.
“The show was a real father-son bonding thing, I watched it all with my kids and we used to sit there lapping up Ari Gold abusing his assistant Lloyd and now I’m in the movie terrorising Ari myself, it was a great feeling.”
He added: “The secret of Entourage is it is very realistic, anyone who is in the business will tell you this is really what goes on and it is full of ego and drama and is very true to life.”
Entourage is released in UK cinemas on June 19.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article