Chicago acting teacher Joyce Piven dies at 94, son Jeremy Piven says

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Chicago acting teacher Joyce Piven dies at 94, son says
Joyce Piven - a legendary Chicago acting teacher - and mother of Jeremy Piven has died.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Joyce Piven - a legendary acting teacher - and mother of Jeremy Piven has died.

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She and her husband, Byrne, founded the Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston in the 70s.

Jeremy Piven arrives with his mother, Joyce Hiller Piven, for the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005.
Jeremy Piven arrives with his mother, Joyce Hiller Piven, for the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005.
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian

"Not quite sure how to navigate without her yet this beautiful life is about transformation which was one of her theater games," her son said as he made the announcement on social media.

Jeremy said his mother brought the Arthur Miller short story "The Performance" to his attention.

He explained how he eventually made it into a film and is a tribute to her honor.

"We don't know how long we have here in this human form but I can tell you that we lost a good one. She's dancing with my father.," Jeremy said.

Joyce Piven was 94.

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