Ben Stiller
Acting • Born 1965-11-30
Biography
Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller (born November 30, 1965) 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.
Filmography
231 credits
Madagascar
Movie • 2005
Alex (voice)
There's Something About Mary
Movie • 1998
Ted Stroehmann
Flirting with Disaster
Movie • 1996
Mel Coplin
Night at the Museum
Movie • 2006
Larry Daley
Meet the Parents
Movie • 2000
Greg Focker
Meet the Fockers
Movie • 2004
Greg Focker
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny
Movie • 2006
Guitar Center Guy
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Movie • 2008
Alex (voice)
Empire of the Sun
Movie • 1987
Dainty
Don't Think Twice
Movie • 2016
Self
Envy
Movie • 2004
Tim Dingman
Reality Bites
Movie • 1994
Michael Grates
Keeping the Faith
Movie • 2000
Rabbi Jake Schram
Along Came Polly
Movie • 2004
Reuben Feffer
Duplex
Movie • 2003
Alex Rose
I'm Still Here
Movie • 2010
Ben Stiller
Permanent Midnight
Movie • 1998
Jerry Stahl
Tropic Thunder
Movie • 2008
Tugg Speedman
The Semplica Girl Diaries
Movie
Mission: Improbable
Movie • 2001
Tom Crooze
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Movie • 2004
Arturo Mendes
The Marc Pease Experience
Movie • 2009
Jon Gribble
Merry Madagascar
Movie • 2009
Alex (voice)
The Royal Tenenbaums
Movie • 2001
Chas Tenenbaum
The Heartbreak Kid
Movie • 2007
Eddie Cantrow
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
Movie • 2004
White Goodman
Starsky & Hutch
Movie • 2004
David Starsky
Mystery Men
Movie • 1999
Mr. Furious / Roy
Zoolander
Movie • 2001
Derek Zoolander
Greenberg
Movie • 2010
Roger Greenberg
School for Scoundrels
Movie • 2006
Lonnie Ratcliff
The Cable Guy
Movie • 1996
Sam Sweet
The Champions
Movie
Megamind
Movie • 2010
Bernard (voice)
Heavyweights
Movie • 1995
Tony Perkis / Tony Perkis Sr.
Zero Effect
Movie • 1998
Steve Arlo
Submarine
Movie • 2011
Soap Opera Star (uncredited)
Little Fockers
Movie • 2010
Greg Focker
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Movie • 2009
Larry Daley
The Watch
Movie • 2012
Evan
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Movie • 2012
Alex (voice)
Le Débarquement
Movie • 2013
Self - host
Bleecker
Movie • 2023
Dr. Pots
Sweet Micky for President
Movie • 2015
Self
Your Friends & Neighbors
Movie • 1998
Jerry
Tower Heist
Movie • 2011
Josh Kovacs
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Movie • 2013
Walter Mitty
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Movie • 2014
Larry Daley / Laaa
Madly Madagascar
Movie • 2013
Alex (voice)
While We're Young
Movie • 2015
Josh Schrebnick
All Aboard the Crazy Train
Movie • 2005
Self - Special Appearance
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
Movie • 2023
Self
Drake Sather: The Man Who Created Zoolander
Movie • 2016
Greed
Movie • 2019
Self
Nutcrackers
Movie • 2024
Mike Maxwell
Bros
Movie • 2022
Ben Stiller (uncredited)
Belly of the Beast
Movie
Norman Mailer
Earth to America
Movie • 2005
Self
Zoolander 2
Movie • 2016
Derek Zoolander
Funny People
Movie • 2009
Friend in video (archive footage) (uncredited)
Nobody Knows Anything!
Movie • 2004
Peach Expert (uncredited)
12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief
Movie • 2012
Self
The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)
Movie • 2017
Matthew Meyerowitz
Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!
Movie • 2006
Self
Everybody Has an Andy Dick Story
Movie • 2017
Self
Brad's Status
Movie • 2017
Brad Sloan
The Trip
Movie • 2011
Ben Stiller (uncredited)
Orange County
Movie • 2002
Firefighter (uncredited)
Happy Gilmore
Movie • 1996
Hal L. (uncredited)
Heat Vision and Jack
Movie • 1999
Self / Strip Club DJ (uncredited)
Derek Zoolander: Male Model
Movie • 1996
Derek Zoolander
Derek Zoolander University
Movie • 1997
Derek Zoolander
Run Ronnie Run
Movie • 2002
Self
Hot Pursuit
Movie • 1987
Chris Honeywell
Black and White
Movie • 1999
Mark Clear
Shoeshine
Movie • 1987
Son
Romanekian
Movie • 2005
Self
The Making of 'The Pick of Destiny'
Movie • 2007
Self
The Truth Is in the Stars
Movie • 2017
Self
Pauly Shore Is Dead
Movie • 2003
Ben Stiller (uncredited)
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Movie • 2012
Self
The Independent
Movie • 2000
Cop
Elvis Stories
Movie • 1989
Bruce
That's Adequate
Movie • 1989
Chip Lane
Elmo's Christmas Countdown
Movie • 2007
Stiller the Elf (voice)
Fresh Horses
Movie • 1988
Tipton
Confessions of an Action Star
Movie • 2005
Commander
Working Tra$h
Movie • 1990
Freddy Novak
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
Movie • 1996
Self
Next of Kin
Movie • 1989
Lawrence Isabella
Tropic Thunder: Rain of Madness
Movie • 2008
Tugg Speedman
Being Canadian
Movie • 2015
Self
If Lucy Fell
Movie • 1996
Bwick Elias
He's Way More Famous Than You
Movie • 2013
Ben Stiller
Harmontown
Movie • 2014
Self
Highway to Hell
Movie • 1991
Pluto's Cook / Attila the Hun
Stella
Movie • 1990
Jim Uptegrove
Nantucket Film Festival's Comedy Roundtable
Movie • 2012
Self - Panelist
Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable
Movie • 2013
Self
The Suburbans
Movie • 1999
Jay Rose
AFI: 100 Years... 100 Movies... 10th Anniversary Edition
Movie • 2007
Self
Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs
Movie • 2017
Self
The Hustler of Money
Movie • 1987
Wince
Playboy Mansion Parties Uncensored
Movie • 2001
Self
Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner
Movie • 2006
Self - Filmed Roaster
The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller
Movie • 1999
Self
Zoolander: Super Model
Movie • 2016
Derek Zoolander (voice)
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story
Movie • 2009
Self
The Farrelly Bros.: In the French Tradition
Movie • 2007
Self
America | A Tribute to Heroes
Movie • 2001
Self
Beastie Boys Story
Movie • 2020
Self
Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics
Movie • 2020
Self
Celebrity Escape Room
Movie • 2020
Self
The House of Blue Leaves
Movie • 1987
Ronnie Shaughnessy
Locked Down
Movie • 2021
Guy
Hubie Halloween
Movie • 2020
Orderly Hal
Here Comes the Night Time
Movie • 2013
Fake Arcade Fire Bandmember
Bridget Everett: Gynecological Wonder
Movie • 2015
Self
Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine
Movie • 2020
8008s
Late Night with Conan O'Brien: 10th Anniversary Special
Movie • 2003
Self
The Dink
Movie • 2026
The Nutt House
Movie • 1992
Pie Thrower (uncredited)
Clinton Foundation: Celebrity Division
Movie • 2011
Self
Happy Gilmore 2
Movie • 2025
Hal L
Dear Santa
Movie • 2024
Lucifer (uncredited)
Focker-In-Law
Movie • 2026
Greg Focker
Danny Roane: First Time Director
Movie • 2006
Self
Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song?
Movie • 2004
Self (archive footage)
Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost
Movie • 2025
Self
Monkey Mischief
Movie • 2009
Larry Daley
The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld
Movie • 2025
Downey Wrote That
Movie • 2025
Self
The Ben Stiller Show
TV • 1992
Various Characters
Inside the Actors Studio
TV • 1994
Self
The Simpsons
TV • 1989
Garth Motherloving (voice)
Kate & Allie
TV • 1984
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
TV • 2003
Self
Family Guy
TV • 1999
Ben Stiller (voice) (uncredited)
The Daily Show
TV • 1996
Self
Friends
TV • 1994
Tommy
Phineas and Ferb
TV • 2007
Khaka Peü Peü (voice)
Miami Vice
TV • 1984
Fast Eddie Felcher
Today
TV • 1952
Self
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
TV • 1988
Self
Freaks and Geeks
TV • 1999
Agent Meara
The View
TV • 1997
Self
Extras
TV • 2005
Ben Stiller
E! True Hollywood Story
TV • 1996
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
TV • 1995
Ben (voice)
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
TV • 1992
Frasier
TV • 1993
Barry (voice)
Undeclared
TV • 2001
Rex
Inside Comedy
TV • 2012
Self
American Idol
TV • 2002
Self
The Early Show
TV • 1999
Self
The King of Queens
TV • 1998
Jerry - Arthur Spooner’s Father
The Andy Dick Show
TV • 2001
Self
Late Night with David Letterman
TV • 1982
Self
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
TV • 1993
Self - Guest
The Henry Rollins Show
TV • 2006
StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson
TV • 2015
Self
Saturday Night Special
TV • 1996
Raw
TV • 1993
Himself
MTV Movie & TV Awards
TV • 1992
The Oscars
TV • 1953
Self
Wish Kids
TV • 2002
Kate McShane
TV • 1975
Nickie
Mr. Show with Bob and David
TV • 1995
Jerry
Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis
TV • 2008
Self
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Various Characters
The Birthday Boys
TV • 2013
Gone Mental with Lior
TV • 2020
Self
Curb Your Enthusiasm
TV • 2000
Ben Stiller
Arrested Development
TV • 2003
Tony Wonder
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Host
Rove
TV • 1999
Self
Big Time in Hollywood, Fl
TV • 2015
Jimmy Staats
Haters Back Off
TV • 2016
Himself
The Trip
TV • 2010
Ben Stiller
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
TV • 2007
Self
Late Night with Seth Meyers
TV • 2014
Self
Krapopolis
TV • 2023
Prometheus (voice)
Another Period
TV • 2015
Charles Ponzi
MTV Video Music Awards
TV • 1984
Self - Host
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
TV • 1994
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
TV • 2003
Self
Running Wild with Bear Grylls
TV • 2014
Self
Teen Choice Awards
TV • 1999
Self
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
TV • 2009
Self - Guest
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
TV • 2015
Desus & Mero
TV • 2019
Self - Illustrious Guest
Entertainment Tonight
TV • 1981
Self
TV total
TV • 1999
Self
NewsRadio
TV • 1995
Vic
On Air with Ryan Seacrest
TV • 2004
Self
King of the Hill
TV • 1997
Rich (voice)
The Graham Norton Show
TV • 2007
Self
Comedy Central Roasts
TV • 2003
Self
Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter
TV • 2015
Self
Primetime Glick
TV • 2001
Kids' Choice Awards
TV • 1987
Host
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self
The Playboy Murders
TV • 2023
Self (archive footage)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
TV • 2014
Self
Prehistoric Planet
TV • 2002
Narrator (voice)
Hot Ones
TV • 2015
Self
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
TV • 2015
Self
Bianca by Night
TV • 2025
Self - Guest (video link)
Eagleheart
TV • 2011
Silly Sammy
Severance
TV • 2022
Kier Eagan (voice) (uncredited)
The Oscars
TV • 1953
Self - Presenter
Le Débarquement
TV • 2013
Everybody's Live with John Mulaney
TV • 2025
Self - Actor and Director
Quotidien
TV • 2016
Self - Guest
The One Show
TV • 2006
Self
The Jonathan Ross Show
TV • 2011
Self - Guest
Chicken Shop Date
TV • 2014
Self - Guest
Ted's Notebook
TV • 2012
Self
Duckman
TV • 1994
Harry Medfly (voice)
Workaholics
TV • 2011
Del Jacobson
The Emmy Awards
TV • 1949
Self
The Off Weeks
TV
Gus Adler
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
TV • 2014
Self - Guest
Late Night with Seth Meyers
TV • 2014
Self - Guest
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Tom Cruise / Vincent Lauria (uncredited)
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
TV • 2003
Self - Guest
The Larry Sanders Show
TV • 1992
Ben Stiller
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
TV • 2026
Self - Actor & Filmmaker
Circus Halligalli
TV • 2013
Self
Four Floors Up
TV • 2026
Ethan Cole