One of the most defining "stories" of his life is his relationship with his rescue dog, .

Before the fame, Theroux was a struggling artist in New York City. To pay rent, he used his visual arts degree to on the walls of iconic 90s clubs like the Limelight . His first studio job for Romy and Michele's High School Reunion was such a culture shock that he seriously considered exchanging his first-class plane ticket for cash to live more comfortably in economy. The Unexpected Writer

Theroux didn't plan on being a screenwriter; he was "grabbed" by Ben Stiller , who recognized his sharp wit during casual hangouts. This led to a prolific writing career, including the creation of the character Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder and penning Iron Man 2 after a recommendation from Robert Downey Jr.. Kuma: A Story of Advocacy