Ben Stiller is offering a deeper look into bowling in the new HBO documentary series Born to Bowl.
Speaking with People Magazine, the actor and producer admitted that he isn’t particularly skilled at bowling.
He recently joked about throwing a gutter ball while delivering a ceremonial first roll at the show’s premiere.
Still, Ben’s connection to the sport dates back to the early days of his career, when he created a short film inspired by The Color of Money.
Ben said, “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.”
“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,” he added.
Noting, “So, I have a real warm place in my heart for bowling.”
Born to Bowl follows five athletes competing on the Professional Bowlers Association. Through their journeys, the show highlights the dedication required and also the financial realities faced by the players.
About the players, Ben Stiller 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.
Ben Stiller’s executive-produced series airs weekly on HBO with its final episode set for April 13.
