Ben Stiller Biography
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 30, 1965 |
| Age | 60 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, writer, director, producer |
| Years Active | 1986-present |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Spouse | Married to actress Christine Taylor |
| Children | 2 (Ella Olivia, Quinlin Dempsey) |
| Net Worth | ~$200 million |
| Known For | The Ben Stiller Show, There's Something About Mary, Zoolander, Tropic Thunder, directing Apple TV+'s Severance |
Early Life & Background
Stiller is the son of legendary comedy duo Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Growing up backstage on Broadway and television sets, he made his acting debut at age 10 on Kate McShane. His parents encouraged creativity, giving him access to cameras and editing decks that fueled early parody shorts.
Education
Stiller attended Calhoun School in Manhattan and briefly studied film at the University of California, Los Angeles before leaving to join the cast of the Broadway revival of The House of Blue Leaves. He continued learning by making satirical short films for Saturday Night Live and MTV, honing directing and editing skills that later defined his production company Red Hour.
Career Journey
Early Career
After stints on SNL, Stiller launched The Ben Stiller Show on MTV (1989) and Fox (1992), winning the 1993 Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety Series. He transitioned into film with Reality Bites (1994), which he directed and co-starred in, establishing his voice in Gen-X comedy.
Rise to Fame
Stiller became a mainstream star with Farrelly Brothers hit There's Something About Mary (1998) and cult favorite Zoolander (2001). He cemented box-office status through Meet the Parents, Dodgeball, Night at the Museum, and ensemble satire Tropic Thunder, which he co-wrote, directed, and starred in.
Established Career
In the 2010s, Stiller balanced acting with ambitious directing projects such as The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) and the Emmy-nominated Showtime limited series Escape at Dannemora (2018). He executive-produces and directs episodes of Apple TV+'s Severance (2022-present), praised for its psychological sci-fi storytelling. Upcoming 2026 projects include helming Severance Season 3, developing a Netflix feature with longtime collaborator Owen Wilson, and voicing a character in DreamWorks' animated film Cosmic Holiday.
Complete Filmography
Movies & Series (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Reality Bites | Michael Grates / Director | Feature directorial debut |
| 1998 | There's Something About Mary | Ted Stroehmann | Breakout romantic comedy |
| 2001 | Zoolander | Derek Zoolander / Director | Cult classic satire of fashion |
| 2004 | Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story | White Goodman | Fan-favorite villain role |
| 2006 | Night at the Museum | Larry Daley | Spawned billion-dollar franchise |
| 2008 | Tropic Thunder | Tugg Speedman / Director | Oscar-nominated comedy ensemble |
| 2013 | The Secret Life of Walter Mitty | Walter Mitty / Director | Inspirational adventure |
| 2022-2026 | Severance (TV) | Executive Producer / Director | Emmy-winning Apple TV+ series |
Awards & Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing in a Variety Series | The Ben Stiller Show | Won |
| 2009 | Producers Guild Awards | Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures | Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa | Nominated |
| 2019 | Directors Guild Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television | Escape at Dannemora | Nominated |
| 2022 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Drama Series (EP) | Severance | Nominated |
| 2023 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Television Series - Drama (EP) | Severance | Nominated |
| 2024 | Peabody Awards | Entertainment | Severance | Honored |
Net Worth & Income Sources
Estimated Net Worth: ~$200 million (2026)
Stiller's earnings include acting salaries, backend points on franchises like Night at the Museum, directing fees, and his Red Hour production slate, which spans film, television, and podcasting. Voice roles in the Madagascar series, investments in New York real estate, and producing deals with Apple TV+ and Netflix further contribute to his wealth.
Personal Life
Stiller married actress Christine Taylor in 2000. After a brief separation in 2017, they reconciled in 2020 and now live with their teenage children between Manhattan and upstate New York. Stiller is an avid drummer and travels with a portable practice pad on set.
Philanthropy & Humanitarian Work
As a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador since 2018, Stiller has visited refugee camps in Jordan, Guatemala, and Ukraine, using his platform to advocate for displaced families. He co-founded the StillerStrong initiative to rebuild schools in Haiti and frequently raises funds for autism research through charity tennis and comedy events.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram: Mix of behind-the-scenes directing shots, UNHCR missions, and throwback comedy clips.
- Twitter/X: Advocacy for refugees, support for the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA, and production updates.
- Facebook: Not actively maintained; focus remains on Instagram and X.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Stiller keeps a meticulously cataloged archive of VHS tapes he shot as a teenager, some of which inspired The Ben Stiller Show sketches.
- He learned to tightrope walk for Reality Bites and still uses the skill for core training.
- Red Hour is named after a classic Star Trek episode he loved as a child.
- He collects vintage concert posters and donates duplicates to benefit auctions.
Latest News & Updates (2026)
Production on Severance Season 3 wrapped in early 2026, with Stiller directing the finale and negotiating a first-look film deal between Red Hour and Apple Original Films. He is also slated to moderate a UNHCR summit on refugee education in Geneva and will cameo in Wes Anderson's 2026 ensemble film The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Friends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Ben Stiller?
Ben Stiller is an American actor, comedian, director, and producer known for films like Zoolander and Tropic Thunder as well as directing prestige TV such as Severance.
What is Ben Stiller most famous for?
He is best known for blending absurd comedy with heartfelt storytelling in projects such as There's Something About Mary, Night at the Museum, and Severance.
Is Ben Stiller active on social media?
Yes. Stiller actively posts on Instagram and X, sharing humanitarian updates, production news, and occasional self-deprecating humor.