Ben Stiller
Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. Known for his blend of slapstick humor and sharp wit, Stiller rose to fame through comedies such as There's Something About Mary (1998), Zoolander (2001), and Tropic Thunder (2008). Stiller is also known for his work in franchises such as the Meet the Parents films (2000–2010), the Madagascar franchise (2005–2012), and the Night at the Museum films (2006–2014). His films have grossed over $2.6 billion in Canada and the United States, with an average of $79 million per film. His awards and honors include an Emmy Award, a Directors Guild of America Award, a Britannia Award and a Teen Choice Award. Stiller is the son of the comedians and actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. He began his career writing mockumentaries and was offered a variety sketch series, The Ben Stiller Show, which he produced and hosted for its 13-episode run. The series ran on MTV in 1990 and Fox in 1992 and 1993, earning him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Program. Stiller was a member of a group of comedic actors colloquially known as the Frat Pack. Transitioning to acting in films, Stiller made his directorial debut with Reality Bites (1994) and went on to direct and star in films such as The Cable Guy (1996) and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013). He also starred in a string of successful studio comedies, including Along Came Polly (2004), Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004), Starsky & Hutch (2004), and Tower Heist (2011). His performances in independent films include Flirting with Disaster (1996), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), and the Noah Baumbach films Greenberg (2010), While We're Young (2014), and The Meyerowitz Stories (2017). Since the mid-2010s, Stiller has primarily worked as a television director and showrunner. In 2018, he directed the Showtime limited series Escape at Dannemora, earning a Directors Guild of America Award and two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series. In 2022, he was a director and executive producer on the Apple TV+ series Severance, earning two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series.
Known For
Credits
- 2026 · Focker-In-Law as Greg Focker
- 2025 · Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost as Self
- 2025 · Happy Gilmore 2 as Hal L
- 2025 · Everybody's Live with John Mulaney as Self - Actor and Director
- 2024 · Nutcrackers as Mike Maxwell
- 2023 · Bleecker as Dr. Pots
- 2023 · The Playboy Murders as Self (archive footage)
- 2022 · Bros as Ben Stiller (uncredited)
- 2022 · New Heights as Self
- 2021 · Locked Down as Guy
- 2020 · Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine as 8008s
- 2020 · Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics as Self
- 2020 · Beastie Boys Story as Self
- 2019 · Greed as Self
- 2017 · Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs as Self
- 2017 · The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) as Matthew Meyerowitz
- 2017 · Brad's Status as Brad Sloan
- 2017 · The Truth Is in the Stars as Self
- 2016 · Haters Back Off as Himself
- 2016 · Don't Think Twice as Self
- 2015 · Being Canadian as Self
- 2015 · StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson as Self
- 2014 · Chicken Shop Date as Self - Guest
- 2014 · Harmontown as Self
- 2013 · The Birthday Boys as
- 2013 · Le Débarquement as Self - host
- 2012 · 12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief as Self
- 2012 · The Secret Policeman's Ball as Self
- 2011 · The Trip as Ben Stiller
- 2011 · Eagleheart as Silly Sammy
- 2010 · The Trip as Ben Stiller
- 2010 · I'm Still Here as Ben Stiller
- 2009 · Merry Madagascar as Alex (voice)
- 2009 · Funny People as Friend in video (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2009 · The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story as Self
- 2008 · Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis as Self
- 2007 · The Farrelly Bros.: In the French Tradition as Self
- 2007 · Sesame Street: Elmo's Christmas Countdown as Stiller the Elf (voice)
- 2006 · The Henry Rollins Show as
- 2005 · Earth to America as Self
- 2005 · Confessions of an Action Star as Commander
- 2004 · Envy as Tim Dingman
- 2001 · America | A Tribute to Heroes as Self
- 2001 · Mission: Improbable as Tom Crooze
- 2001 · The Andy Dick Show as Self
- 1999 · Black and White as Mark Clear
- 1999 · Mystery Men as Mr. Furious / Roy
- 1998 · Your Friends & Neighbors as Jerry
- 1996 · Saturday Night Special as
- 1996 · If Lucy Fell as Bwick Elias
- 1994 · Reality Bites as Michael Grates
- 1992 · The Ben Stiller Show as Various Characters
- 1991 · Highway to Hell as Pluto's Cook / Attila the Hun
- 1989 · Elvis Stories as Bruce
- 1988 · Fresh Horses as Tipton
- 1975 · Kate McShane as Nickie
- 1952 · Today as Self
- 1949 · The Emmy Awards as Self
- Future · The Dink as
- 2025 · Bianca by Night as Self - Guest (video link)
- 2024 · Dear Santa as Lucifer (uncredited)
- 2023 · Albert Brooks: Defending My Life as Self
- 2023 · Krapopolis as Prometheus (voice)
- 2022 · Severance as Kier Eagan (voice) (uncredited)
- 2020 · Hubie Halloween as Orderly Hal
- 2020 · Celebrity Escape Room as Self
- 2020 · Gone Mental with Lior as Self
- 2019 · Desus & Mero as Self - Illustrious Guest
- 2017 · Everybody Has an Andy Dick Story as
- 2016 · Quotidien as Self - Guest
- 2016 · Zoolander: Super Model as Derek Zoolander (voice)
- 2016 · Drake Sather: The Man Who Created Zoolander as
- 2016 · Zoolander 2 as Derek Zoolander
- 2015 · The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as
- 2015 · The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Self
- 2015 · Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter as Self
- 2015 · Bridget Everett: Gynecological Wonder as Self
- 2015 · Another Period as Charles Ponzi
- 2015 · While We're Young as Josh Schrebnick
- 2015 · Big Time in Hollywood, Fl as Jimmy Staats
- 2015 · Hot Ones as Self
- 2015 · Sweet Micky for President as Self
- 2014 · Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb as Larry Daley / Laaa
- 2014 · Running Wild with Bear Grylls as Self
- 2014 · Late Night with Seth Meyers as Self
- 2014 · The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Self
- 2013 · The Secret Life of Walter Mitty as Walter Mitty
- 2013 · Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable as Self
- 2013 · Here Comes the Night Time as Fake Arcade Fire Bandmember
- 2013 · He's Way More Famous Than You as Ben Stiller
- 2013 · Madly Madagascar as Alex (voice)
- 2013 · Le Débarquement as
- 2012 · Nantucket Film Festival's Comedy Roundtable as Self - Panelist
- 2012 · The Watch as Evan
- 2012 · Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted as Alex (voice)
- 2012 · Ted's Notebook as Self
- 2012 · Inside Comedy as Self
- 2011 · Tower Heist as Josh Kovacs
- 2011 · Clinton Foundation: Celebrity Division as Self
- 2011 · The Jonathan Ross Show as Self - Guest
- 2011 · Workaholics as Del Jacobson
- 2011 · Submarine as Soap Opera Star (uncredited)
- 2010 · Little Fockers as Greg Focker
- 2010 · Megamind as Bernard (voice)
- 2010 · Greenberg as Roger Greenberg
- 2009 · The Marc Pease Experience as Jon Gribble
- 2009 · Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen as Self - Guest
- 2009 · Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian as Larry Daley
- 2008 · Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa as Alex (voice)
- 2008 · Tropic Thunder: Rain of Madness as Tugg Speedman
- 2008 · Tropic Thunder as Tugg Speedman
- 2007 · The Heartbreak Kid as Eddie Cantrow
- 2007 · Phineas and Ferb as Khaka Peü Peü (voice)
- 2007 · AFI: 100 Years... 100 Movies... 10th Anniversary Edition as Self
- 2007 · The Making of 'The Pick of Destiny' as Self
- 2007 · The Graham Norton Show as Self
- 2007 · Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! as Self
- 2006 · Night at the Museum as Larry Daley
- 2006 · Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny as Guitar Center Guy
- 2006 · School for Scoundrels as Lonnie Ratcliff
- 2006 · Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner as Self - Filmed Roaster
- 2006 · The One Show as Self
- 2006 · Danny Roane: First Time Director as Self
- 2006 · Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That! as Self
- 2005 · Romanekian as Self
- 2005 · Extras as Ben Stiller
- 2005 · All Aboard the Crazy Train as Self - Special Appearance
- 2005 · Madagascar as Alex (voice)
- 2004 · Meet the Fockers as Greg Focker
- 2004 · Nobody Knows Anything! as Peach Expert (uncredited)
- 2004 · Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy as Arturo Mendes
- 2004 · DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story as White Goodman
- 2004 · Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song? as Self (archive footage)
- 2004 · Starsky & Hutch as David Starsky
- 2004 · Along Came Polly as Reuben Feffer
- 2004 · On Air with Ryan Seacrest as Self
- 2003 · Arrested Development as Tony Wonder
- 2003 · Duplex as Alex Rose
- 2003 · Late Night with Conan O'Brien: 10th Anniversary Special as Self
- 2003 · The Ellen DeGeneres Show as Self
- 2003 · Comedy Central Roasts as Self
- 2003 · Pauly Shore Is Dead as Ben Stiller (uncredited)
- 2003 · Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- 2002 · Prehistoric Planet as Narrator (voice)
- 2002 · American Idol as Self
- 2002 · Wish Kids as
- 2002 · Run Ronnie Run as Self
- 2002 · Orange County as Firefighter (uncredited)
- 2001 · The Royal Tenenbaums as Chas Tenenbaum
- 2001 · Zoolander as Derek Zoolander
- 2001 · Undeclared as Rex
- 2001 · Primetime Glick as
- 2001 · Playboy Mansion Parties Uncensored as Self
- 2000 · The Independent as Cop
- 2000 · Curb Your Enthusiasm as Ben Stiller
- 2000 · Meet the Parents as Greg Focker
- 2000 · Keeping the Faith as Rabbi Jake Schram
- 1999 · The Early Show as Self
- 1999 · The Suburbans as Jay Rose
- 1999 · The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller as Self
- 1999 · Freaks and Geeks as Agent Meara
- 1999 · Rove as Self
- 1999 · Teen Choice Awards as Self - Nominee
- 1999 · TV total as Self
- 1999 · Family Guy as Ben Stiller (voice) (uncredited)
- 1999 · Heat Vision and Jack as Self / Strip Club DJ (uncredited)
- 1998 · The King of Queens as Jerry - Arthur Spooner’s Father
- 1998 · Permanent Midnight as Jerry Stahl
- 1998 · There's Something About Mary as Ted Stroehmann
- 1998 · Zero Effect as Steve Arlo
- 1997 · Derek Zoolander University as Derek Zoolander
- 1997 · The View as Self
- 1997 · King of the Hill as Rich (voice)
- 1996 · Derek Zoolander: Male Model as Derek Zoolander
- 1996 · Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond as Self
- 1996 · E! True Hollywood Story as
- 1996 · The Daily Show as Self
- 1996 · The Cable Guy as Sam Sweet
- 1996 · Flirting with Disaster as Mel Coplin
- 1996 · Happy Gilmore as Hal L. (uncredited)
- 1995 · Mr. Show with Bob and David as
- 1995 · Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist as Ben (voice)
- 1995 · NewsRadio as Vic
- 1995 · Heavyweights as Tony Perkis / Tony Perkis Sr.
- 1994 · Friends as Tommy
- 1994 · Inside the Actors Studio as Self
- 1994 · Space Ghost Coast to Coast as
- 1994 · Duckman as Harry Medfly (voice)
- 1993 · Frasier as Barry (voice)
- 1993 · Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Self - Guest
- 1993 · Raw as Himself
- 1992 · The Nutt House as Pie Thrower (uncredited)
- 1992 · MTV Movie & TV Awards as
- 1992 · The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as
- 1990 · Working Tra$h as Freddy Novak
- 1990 · Stella as Jim Uptegrove
- 1989 · The Simpsons as Garth Motherloving (voice)
- 1989 · Next of Kin as Lawrence Isabella
- 1989 · That's Adequate as Chip Lane
- 1988 · LIVE with Kelly and Mark as Self
- 1987 · Empire of the Sun as Dainty
- 1987 · The House of Blue Leaves as Ronnie Shaughnessy
- 1987 · Hot Pursuit as Chris Honeywell
- 1987 · Kids' Choice Awards as Host
- 1987 · Shoeshine as Son
- 1984 · Miami Vice as
- 1984 · MTV Video Music Awards as Self - Host
- 1984 · Kate & Allie as
- 1982 · Late Night with David Letterman as Self
- 1981 · Entertainment Tonight as Self
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Various Characters
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Host
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- 1961 · The Mike Douglas Show as Self
- 1953 · The Oscars as Self
- 1953 · The Oscars as Self - Presenter
- Future · The Champions as
- Future · The Semplica Girl Diaries as
- 1987 · The Hustler of Money as Wince
- Future · Belly of the Beast as Norman Mailer
- Future · Rat as Drew Larson