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Ben Stiller Reveals His Heartwarming Connection to Bowling Career

Ben Stiller humorously recalls gutter-balling the ceremonial first ball at the premiere of his bowling docuseries "Born to Bowl." He reveals his deep connection to the sport, tracing it back to his early career when a bowling-themed short film parody helped him get on Saturday Night Live. His new series follows five professional bowlers, highlighting the stark realities and financial struggles of life on the PBA Tour. Stiller expresses surprise at the contrast between their grind for survival and the lifestyles of top athletes in more mainstream sports.

Key Points: Ben Stiller on Bowling's Special Place in His Heart

  • Stiller gutter-balled at his docuseries premiere
  • His first SNL short film was a bowling spoof
  • New series follows pro bowlers' tough realities
  • He contrasts their grind with top athletes in other sports
2 min read

Ben Stiller shares why bowling has a 'warm place' in his heart

Hollywood star Ben Stiller shares why bowling is meaningful to him, from a failed premiere throw to his early SNL film success.

Ben Stiller shares why bowling has a 'warm place' in his heart
"I have a real warm place in my heart for bowling. - Ben Stiller"

Los Angeles, April 3

Hollywood actor Ben Stiller is an accomplished actor, producer and director, but he could use a little more practice when it comes to bowling.

The sport, which is the subject of the five-part series that premiered on March 16, served as an important part of the multi-hyphenate's career, reports 'People' magazine.

He told 'People', "I've had to bowl in public a couple times, the last time being at the premiere for this show (Born to Bowl) where the guys asked me if I would do the ceremonial first ball and I gutterballed it, of course".

He further mentioned, "The first short film I made that I ended up getting on 'Saturday Night Live' when I was starting out was a takeoff on 'The Color of Money', the Martin Scorsese and Tom Cruise movie about pool that was a sequel to The Hustler that I made with my friends about bowling. So, I have a real warm place in my heart for bowling".

As per 'People', the actor sold his film 'The Hustler of Money' to SNL before joining the cast for a four-episode-long stint in 1989. More than three decades later, Stiller revisits the sport with the docuseries that follows five bowlers on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour, revealing the realities of life on the road.

He said, "These guys who are the best in the world, the best in the U.S. and what the reality of their lives is, which is pretty much 180 degrees from the reality of these other people who are at the top of their sport".

"It was a little bit shocking to me that these guys have to do what they have to do just to survive on the bowling tour", he added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting to hear about the behind-the-scenes of professional bowling. In India, we don't hear much about it as a serious sport, mostly just for fun at parties or malls. His documentary might change some perceptions.
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Aditya G
Respect for Ben Stiller for highlighting the struggle of athletes in less glamorous sports. In India, we see this with many of our traditional sports kabaddi or kho-kho players – incredible skill but not the fame or money of cricket. More power to such documentaries.
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Sarah B
The connection to his early career with that short film is really cool. It's a nice reminder that everyone starts somewhere, even with a quirky idea about bowling. Makes me want to watch that SNL sketch!
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Karthik V
While I appreciate the sentiment, I do wish the article gave a bit more detail about the docuseries itself rather than just the actor's personal connection. What are the "realities of life on the road" for these bowlers? That's the more compelling story.
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Nisha Z
Ben Stiller is always so genuine. Bowling nights are a staple for our friend group here in Bangalore. It's a great equalizer – everyone from the CEO to the intern can have fun and be equally bad at it! 🎳

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