Based on a true story
Filming of a Hollywood movie about the life of 74-year-old Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale is complete, with its US release set for “sometime in 2026.”
Set in the furniture magnate’s Texas hometown of Houston in the early 1980s and 2000s, the film follows the twists and turns of McIngvale’s life, which includes his business success, charity work, and headline-making sports bets.
“It’s about my life and the rags to riches and all that good stuff,” said McIngvale, who earlier this month posted a “Gladiator”-inspired tribute video of himself on X:
McIngvale’s use on X of the “echoes in eternity” quote makes extra sense after news of the movie broke this week. The story of the renowned Houston figure will now live on in the form of actor Billy Magnussen, who plays McIngvale.
Sports betting question
According to reports, Magnussen (Lilo & Stitch) stated that the McIngvale movie was a story of “resilience, heart and community.”
Whether McIngvale’s sports betting will be featured in the movie is uncertain.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal cited the furniture king as stating: “I don’t know. I’ll have to ask the guy,” adding, “I would imagine it will, because that’s kind of a key part.”
Coming from Mack, you can almost bet a highpoint of the 2026 film will feature the $10m wager he placed on the Houston Astros to win the 2022 World Series at average odds of +750. McIngvale’s beloved franchise beat the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to take the series and make the Gallery Furniture boss a cool $75m, at the time the largest-ever win from an official sports bet.
Mack is famous for wagering eye-watering sums to hedge potential losses on Gallery Furniture promotions. With his 2022 win, people who spent at least $3,000 at his stores during the promo period got full refunds.
Which leads into the other side of McIngvale’s life, including volunteering his stores as shelters for refugees during hurricanes and donating “tens of millions of dollars to the community.”
the human being behind the slogans and the Texas grit”
“Everyone in Houston knows Mack,” said the film’s screenplay writer and director Shane Andries. The fellow Houston native added, however, that “few know the quiet moments, the private battles, the human being behind the slogans and the Texas grit.”
Business as usual
According to the Review-Journal, McIngvale said filming of the movie shot in Texas is complete and in the editing booth, with its release scheduled for next year.
Magnusson has spoken of how “honored” he was to play a role in bringing McIngvale’s “incredible story” to the silver screen while “capturing the spirit of ‘Mattress Mack’ and the city of Houston.”
selling furniture and doing some gambling”
McIngvale, meanwhile, said this week he’s never met Magnusson or visited the film set. “No, I’m just worried about selling furniture and doing some gambling.” He added: “I’m oblivious to the whole thing.”
