Arts & Entertainment

Ben Stiller Donates Time to Highland Park Rotary Club

The actor, screenwriter and director who starred in "Zoolander," "Tropic Thunder" and the "Meet the Parents" movies has donated his time as an auction item for the Giving Gala Auction on April 21.

The Highland Park/Highwood Rotary Scholarship program just got a big boost in its fundraising auction: the opportunity to hang out with Ben Stiller.

The actor, screenwriter and director who starred in Zoolander, Tropic Thunder and the Meet the Parents movies has donated his time as an auction item for the Giving Gala Auction on April 21. 

The winner of Stiller’s donation will get to attend the red carpet premiere of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which Stiller stars in and directed. While at the premiere, the winner will meet and have their photo taken with Stiller. The winner will also get two passes to the after party, which Kristen Wiig, Shirley Maclaine and Sean Penn are expected to attend.

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Airfare, luxury accommodations and limousine service in New York City are also part of this package.

"There are no words to describe our thanks to Mr. Stiller," said Highland Park/Highwood Publicity Director Dawn LoCascio in a release. "His generosity will truly change the lives of so many students who will be the recipients of the scholarships thatare funded from the money we raise at the Giving Gala Auction."

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The film is scheduled to premier in December in New York City. In this remake of the 1947 film (which is based on the short story by James Thurber), a timid magazine photo manager (Stiller) lives life vicariously through daydreams.

"Giving back is what Rotary is all about and Mr. Stiller is a significant part of the equation," said LoCascio.

Private bids will be accepted until April 20 at dawnrotary@gmail.com. The winning bid will be announced and awarded at the gala.

Annual Giving Gala tickets are available here.

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