Jeremy Piven has tackled just about every kind of role on the big screen. Whether he’s cursing people out as “Entourage”’s Ari Gold, causing trouble as “Timekeeper” in “Spy Kids: All the Time in the World,” or fighting prehistoric predators in his most recent film, “Primitive War,” Piven’s array of roles spans over 100 credits.
If he isn’t acting in “Serendipity” or “Smokin’ Aces,” Piven is still performing, now with his audience directly in front of him. He has hammered out stand-up shows for the past 10 years all over the world, and his latest tour lands at The Wilbur on Sept. 19.
Those who’ve seen Piven’s shows and movies know he can read a script, but newcomers to his stand-up find that each role played tells a wider, more exuberant tale. Piven uses humor to enhance moments from his past, saying that going off-script is what captivates his audience.
“With stand-up, it’s the ultimate freedom because you’re just out there and it’s all coming from you, you’re not playing a character—I would highly recommend that freedom to anyone,” Piven said.
Piven noted that Emerson’s comedic arts major allows students to explore that freedom. He thinks more schools should have that option, adding that stand-up comics coming into the classroom to speak to students is a push Piven wishes he’d had.
“We never had that. It would have been incredible to have a mentor, or someone that’s kind of gone through it,” Piven said, adding that a comedic mentor could show younger people “tough love.”
“[Gen Z] has been coddled, and everyone’s very worried about [their] feelings. You just have to say ‘fuck your feelings’ at a certain point,” said Piven. “You’re going to be released out into the world; if you’ve been coddled and taken care of, it’s going to be even harder.”
Unsurprisingly, Piven slipped his humor into his advice.
“All those performative gestures to coddle you like a piece of veal—a soft little piece of veal—are going to not work in your favor when you’re out there in the real world, because a lot of people [are] competing for the same job,” said Piven. “You’ve got to get up there and in tough situations, and you’ve got to be able to rise to the occasion.”
One of those tough situations is understanding the difference between a live crowd and filmgoers. While both groups react differently, Piven shared that actors and comics prepare for their “show” the same way.
“When I run lines, [I] keep doing it until [I] own the lines—where you’re not even thinking about it—and then it all feels improvisational. That’s the same with stand up,” Piven said.
Piven says when a comic is working on a set, they learn it so well that it appears like the comic is having a conversation with the audience.
“It’s not a monologue, it’s a dialogue with the audience, even though you’re the only one speaking for an hour,” Piven said.
Piven also has fond memories of working in Boston through the years. As a Chicago native, he says that Boston reminds him of home.
“It’s a very authentic city. People speak their minds and they pride themselves on that, which I love just like Chicago,” Piven said. “They’ve had legendary sports teams, and the community is very loyal.”
Piven recalled hanging out with Julian Edelman, a Patriots player who helped Boston earn their legendary status. Edelman, a fellow “five-foot-nine overachieving Jew” as Piven put it, came to see him perform a set at Laugh Boston. The two spoke backstage about a younger Piven’s football career, which Piven notes “didn’t pan out.”
Their conversation helped Piven come to terms with failure, which he said he “didn’t wear well” until that point. This “amazing moment” made Piven grateful for Boston’s own attitude towards Edelman.
“Just to see the love that Boston has for that guy is incredible,” Piven said.
During another performance at Laugh Boston, Piven got to see the love that Boston has for him—when he was punched in the nuts at a meet-and-greet. The person who sacked him ran away as Piven “doubled over” and cursed the culprit out.
“As I get up, the security guard next to me goes, ‘Oh man, I used to be in the Navy SEALs’… I was like, ‘Yeah, not anymore, motherfucker, where were you?’” Piven said.
Regardless of whether this is the “tough love” he believes Emerson comics needs to learn from a mentor, Piven proudly proclaimed this trip to the Wilbur won’t be the last time he stops in the city.
“I love you, Boston, and I’m coming back.”
