Debbie Liebling Ben Stiller - H 2011
Ben Stiller is making a return to the small screen.
The actor-producer, who got his big break on a short-lived, eponymous sketch show on MTV/Fox, has inked an overall production and development deal with ABC Studios for his Red Hour Films. The pact, which runs through May 31, 2013, with an option to extend for one year, accompanies the high-profile hire of Deborah Liebling to run Red Hour’s new television division.
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“Debbie is an incredibly talented executive,” said Stiller. “I am hoping she helps us get a show on the air that is culturally relevant, groundbreaking, and doesn’t get canceled after 12 episodes. If she does that, I will consider the deal a major success. Also maybe some Monday Night Football tickets through the ESPN connection …”
Liebling recently served as president of production at Universal Pictures, where she oversaw production of such films as Bridesmaids and Stiller’s Tower Heist, which is currently in theaters, and before that in executive roles at Fox Atomic and 20th Century Fox. Prior to that, the highly-respected executive spent seven years as a chief development and production executive at Comedy Central, where she developed South Park, The Man Show and Win Ben Stein’s Money.
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“I have known and worked with Ben over the years and always been in awe of his work ethic and standards and great taste,” added Liebling. It is an honor to be his partner in this next venture for Red Hour and I’m thrilled to be joining Red Hour and to take the great brand that Ben and Stuart have already established to television.”
On the film side, Red Hour recenetly announced a slate of new projects, including The Mountain, which Stiller is developing to direct and produce with partner Stuart Cornfeld, through 20th Century Fox. Other projects include an adaptation of children’s book The Snowy Day and Stiller star vehicle The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
Stiller, who is currently filming Neighborhood Watch, is repped by WME.
