Born in Manhattan and raised in Evanston, Illinois, he is an alumnus of the Piven Theatre Workshop founded by his parents (Byrne Piven and Joyce Hiller Piven) and a one time Chicago stage actor.
Was a graduate of Evanston Township High School. Shared an apartment with John Cusack. Attended Harand Theater Camp in Elkhart Lake, WI as a teenager. He played Bernardo in West Side Story there. Son of Byrne Piven and Joyce Hiller Piven. Parents ran a theatre school in Chicago which John Cusack, Joan Cusack and Ann Cusack attended. Frequently acts in movies with John Cusack, such as: Bob Roberts, Elvis Stories, Floundering, The Grifters, Grosse Pointe Blank, One Crazy Summer, The Player, Say Anything..., Serendipity, Runaway Jury. Brother of Shira Piven Brother in-law of Adam McKay. He was also supposed to star alongside his best pal John Cusack in High Fidelity, but had to pull out due to other commitments. Attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. While in school he performed in plays such as "Julius Caesar." Shares a birthday with Kevin Spacey, Sandra Bullock and Kate Beckinsale. He got malaria while filming PCU and had to be rushed to the hospital. Was considered for the role of Dolarhyde in Red Dragon.