Ben Stiller Urges Audience to Watch His Biopic with Owen Wilson
Ben Stiller has said he wishes more people would see Permanent Midnight. He urged audiences to watch his biopic, which includes Owen Wilson in the cast.
From memoir to screen
Jerry Stahl first attracted attention when Transatlantic Review published a short story in 1976. He later wrote for adult magazines, including Penthouse Letters, and penned ad copy for sexual supplements.
Stahl battled heroin addiction while working in television during the 1980s. He wrote episodes of Moonlighting and the sitcom ALF, among other shows.
His 1995 memoir, Permanent Midnight, chronicled addiction and television writing. Writer-director David Veloz and Ben Stiller adapted the book into a feature film released in 1998.
Stiller portrayed Stahl on screen. Owen Wilson played a fellow addict named Nicky. The film substitutes a fictional series called Mr. Chompers for ALF, due to rights issues.
The cast also included Elizabeth Hurley, Janeane Garofalo, Fred Willard, Connie Nielsen, and Cheryl Ladd. The movie offered an unflinching view of addiction and Hollywood absurdity.
Reception and Stiller’s remarks
The film made a modest splash on the 1990s indie scene, but it was not a broad commercial hit. Critics were mixed about the picture overall.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Permanent Midnight holds a 60% approval rating from 53 reviews. Some critics praised Stiller’s dramatic turn away from comedy.
Glen Lovell at Variety called Stiller’s performance a bid to be taken seriously. Roger Ebert awarded the film three stars and praised its refusal to glamorize addiction.
In a 2024 interview with Filmogaz.com, Stiller said he remained proud of the project. He added he hoped more viewers would discover the film.
The movie is currently available to stream on Prime Video.
Stahl’s career after the film
After Permanent Midnight, Stahl won renewed attention and new writing work in Hollywood. He earned credits on major projects and television series.
His later credits include a writing role on the Michael Bay blockbuster Bad Boys II. He also wrote ten episodes for the series CSI and contributed episodes to Marc Maron’s sitcom Maron in 2013.
Coverage on Filmogaz.com credited Stahl with helping advance trans representation on CSI. He also published books such as Perv: A Love Story, Plainclothes Naked, and I, Fatty.
Now in his seventies, Stahl continues to write and publish. He remains a notable example of a writer who rebuilt a career after addiction.
