Paul Giamatti to Star as the Late Art Bell in Biopic

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Paul Giamatti and the late Art Bell

Paul Giamatti, renowned for his portrayal of Kenny "Pig Vomit" Rushton in Howard Stern's 1997 film "Private Parts," is set to star in a new biopic entitled "Radio Silence," which will spotlight the life of the late paranormal radio host Art Bell, reports deadline.com. Bell, who died in 2018, became a legendary figure in broadcasting from his home studio in Pahrump, NV, 65 miles west of Las Vegas. His show, "Coast to Coast AM," famously featured unscreened calls from listeners sharing tales of alien encounters, time travel, and other supernatural events. At its peak, the show captivated up to 10 million listeners across 500 stations nationwide.

Bell's contributions to media and the paranormal were significant; he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2008 and authored several books, including "The Art of Talk." His work with Whitney Striebler on "The Coming Global Superstorm" also inspired the blockbuster film "The Day After Tomorrow."

The biopic is being developed by Sophie Cassidy and Jeff Katz of 2.0 Entertainment, who have previously collaborated on "The Pope's Exorcist." Their pursuit of the project involved building relationships with the city government of Pahrump and Bell's business partner Karen Jackson, who plays a pivotal role in the film as a key influencer in Bell's career.

Screenwriters Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves, known for their work on various high-profile projects including "Unfriended" and CW's "The Flash," are tasked with bringing the script to life. The film, "Radio Silence," also marks a new venture for directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of the filmmaking group Radio Silence, who have gained recognition for their work in the horror genre with films like "Ready or Not" and the "Scream" series.

As the project garners interest, major studios such as Amazon and Warner Bros are reportedly among the bidders.