Acting · New York City, New York, USA · Born November 30, 1965
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.
MovieFocker-In-Law
2026
as Greg Focker
MovieThe Dink
2026
as Dr. Stone
TVMel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
2026
as Self - Actor & Filmmaker
MovieThe Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld
2025
MovieStiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost
2025
as Self
MovieDowney Wrote That
2025
as Self
MovieHappy Gilmore 2
2025
as Hal L
TVEverybody's Live with John Mulaney
2025
as Self - Actor and Director
TVBianca by Night
2025
as Self - Guest (video link)
MovieDear Santa
2024
as Lucifer (uncredited)
MovieNutcrackers
2024
as Mike Maxwell
MovieAlbert Brooks: Defending My Life
2023
as Self
TVKrapopolis
2023
as Prometheus (voice)
MovieBleecker
2023
as Dr. Pots
TVThe Playboy Murders
2023
as Self (archive footage)
MovieBros
2022
as Ben Stiller (uncredited)
TVSeverance
2022
as Kier Eagan (voice) (uncredited)
MovieLocked Down
2021
as Guy
MovieSarah Cooper: Everything's Fine
2020
as 8008s
MovieHubie Halloween
2020
as Orderly Hal
MovieCelebrity Escape Room
2020
as Self
MovieHave a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics
2020
as Self
MovieBeastie Boys Story
2020
as Self
TVGone Mental with Lior
2020
as Self
MovieGreed
2019
as Self
TVDesus & Mero
2019
as Self - Illustrious Guest
MovieNight of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs
2017
as Self
MovieThe Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)
2017
as Matthew Meyerowitz
MovieBrad's Status
2017
as Brad Sloan
MovieEverybody Has an Andy Dick Story
2017
as Self
MovieThe Truth Is in the Stars
2017
as Self
TVHaters Back Off
2016
as Himself
TVQuotidien
2016
as Self - Guest
MovieZoolander: Super Model
2016
as Derek Zoolander (voice)
MovieDon't Think Twice
2016
as Self
MovieDrake Sather: The Man Who Created Zoolander
2016
MovieZoolander 2
2016
as Derek Zoolander
MovieBeing Canadian
2015
as Self
TVThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
as Self
TVClose Up with The Hollywood Reporter
2015
as Self
MovieBridget Everett: Gynecological Wonder
2015
as Self
TVAnother Period
2015
as Charles Ponzi
TVStarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson
2015
as Self
MovieWhile We're Young
2015
as Josh Schrebnick
TVBig Time in Hollywood, Fl
2015
as Jimmy Staats
TVHot Ones
2015
as Self
MovieSweet Micky for President
2015
as Self
MovieNight at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
2014
as Larry Daley / Laaa
TVChicken Shop Date
2014
as Self - Guest
TVRunning Wild with Bear Grylls
2014
as Self
MovieHarmontown
2014
as Self
TVLate Night with Seth Meyers
2014
as Self
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
as Self
MovieThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty
2013
as Walter Mitty
Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable
2013
as Self
TVThe Birthday Boys
2013
MovieHere Comes the Night Time
2013
as Fake Arcade Fire Bandmember
MovieHe's Way More Famous Than You
2013
as Ben Stiller
TVCircus Halligalli
2013
as Self
MovieMadly Madagascar
2013
as Alex (voice)
MovieLe Débarquement
2013
as Self - host
TVLe Débarquement
2013
Movie12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief
2012
as Self
MovieDreamworks: Holiday Classics
2012
as Alex (voice)
Nantucket Film Festival's Comedy Roundtable
2012
as Self - Panelist
MovieThe Watch
2012
as Evan
MovieMadagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
2012
as Alex (voice)
MovieThe Secret Policeman's Ball
2012
as Self
TVTed's Notebook
2012
as Self
TVInside Comedy
2012
as Self
MovieTower Heist
2011
as Josh Kovacs
TVThe Jonathan Ross Show
2011
as Self - Guest
MovieThe Trip
2011
as Ben Stiller (uncredited)
TVWorkaholics
2011
as Del Jacobson
MovieSubmarine
2011
as Soap Opera Star (uncredited)
TVEagleheart
2011
as Silly Sammy
MovieLittle Fockers
2010
as Greg Focker
TVTake Two with Phineas and Ferb
2010
as Self
TVThe Trip
2010
as Ben Stiller
MovieMegamind
2010
as Bernard (voice)
MovieI'm Still Here
2010
as Ben Stiller
MovieGreenberg
2010
as Roger Greenberg
MovieMonkey Mischief
2009
as Larry Daley
MovieMerry Madagascar
2009
as Alex (voice)
MovieThe Marc Pease Experience
2009
as Jon Gribble
MovieFunny People
2009
as Friend in video (archive footage) (uncredited)
TVWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
as Self - Guest
MovieNight at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
2009
as Larry Daley
MovieThe Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story
2009
as Self
MovieMadagascar: Escape 2 Africa
2008
as Alex (voice)
MovieRain of Madness
2008
as Tugg Speedman
MovieTropic Thunder
2008
as Tugg Speedman
TVBetween Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis
2008
as Self
MovieThe Farrelly Bros.: In the French Tradition
2007
as Self
MovieElmo's Christmas Countdown
2007
as Stiller the Elf (voice)
MovieThe Heartbreak Kid
2007
as Eddie Cantrow
TVPhineas and Ferb
2007
as Khaka Peü Peü (voice)
MovieAFI: 100 Years... 100 Movies... 10th Anniversary Edition
2007
as Self
MovieThe Making of 'The Pick of Destiny'
2007
as Self
TVThe Graham Norton Show
2007
as Self
TVTim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
2007
as Self
MovieNight at the Museum
2006
as Larry Daley
MovieTenacious D in The Pick of Destiny
2006
as Guitar Center Guy
MovieSchool for Scoundrels
2006
as Lonnie Ratcliff
MovieComedy Central Roast of William Shatner
2006
as Self - Filmed Roaster
TVThe One Show
2006
as Self
MovieDanny Roane: First Time Director
2006
as Self
TVThe Henry Rollins Show
2006
MovieAwesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!
2006
as Self
MovieEarth to America
2005
as Self
MovieRomanekian
2005
as Self
TVExtras
2005
as Ben Stiller
MovieAll Aboard the Crazy Train
2005
as Self - Special Appearance
MovieMadagascar
2005
as Alex (voice)
MovieConfessions of an Action Star
2005
as Commander
MovieMeet the Fockers
2004
as Greg Focker
MovieNobody Knows Anything!
2004
as Peach Expert (uncredited)
MovieAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
2004
as Arturo Mendes
MovieDodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
2004
as White Goodman
MovieEnvy
2004
as Tim Dingman
MovieSesame Street: What's the Name of That Song?
2004
as Self (archive footage)
MovieStarsky & Hutch
2004
as David Starsky
MovieAlong Came Polly
2004
as Reuben Feffer
TVOn Air with Ryan Seacrest
2004
as Self
TVArrested Development
2003
as Tony Wonder
MovieDuplex
2003
as Alex Rose
MovieLate Night with Conan O'Brien: 10th Anniversary Special
2003
as Self
TVThe Ellen DeGeneres Show
2003
as Self
TVComedy Central Roasts
2003
as Self
MoviePauly Shore Is Dead
2003
as Ben Stiller (uncredited)
TVJimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
as Self
TVPrehistoric Planet
2002
as Narrator (voice)
TVAmerican Idol
2002
as Self
Wish Kids
2002
MovieRun Ronnie Run
2002
as Self
MovieOrange County
2002
as Firefighter (uncredited)
MovieThe Royal Tenenbaums
2001
as Chas Tenenbaum
MovieZoolander
2001
as Derek Zoolander
TVUndeclared
2001
as Rex
MovieAmerica | A Tribute to Heroes
2001
as Self
TVPrimetime Glick
2001
MovieMission: Improbable
2001
as Tom Crooze
Playboy Mansion Parties Uncensored
2001
as Self
TVThe Andy Dick Show
2001
as Self
MovieThe Independent
2000
as Cop
TVCurb Your Enthusiasm
2000
as Ben Stiller
MovieMeet the Parents
2000
as Greg Focker
MovieKeeping the Faith
2000
as Rabbi Jake Schram
TVThe Early Show
1999
as Self
MovieThe Suburbans
1999
as Jay Rose
MovieThe N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller
1999
as Self
TVFreaks and Geeks
1999
as Agent Meara
TVRove
1999
as Self
MovieBlack and White
1999
as Mark Clear
MovieMystery Men
1999
as Mr. Furious / Roy
TVTeen Choice Awards
1999
as Self
TVTV total
1999
as Self
TVFamily Guy
1999
as Ben Stiller (voice) (uncredited)
MovieHeat Vision and Jack
1999
as Self / Strip Club DJ (uncredited)
TVThe King of Queens
1998
as Jerry - Arthur Spooner’s Father
MoviePermanent Midnight
1998
as Jerry Stahl
MovieYour Friends & Neighbors
1998
as Jerry
MovieThere's Something About Mary
1998
as Ted Stroehmann
MovieZero Effect
1998
as Steve Arlo
MovieDerek Zoolander University
1997
as Derek Zoolander
TVThe View
1997
as Self
TVKing of the Hill
1997
as Rich (voice)
MovieDerek Zoolander: Male Model
1996
as Derek Zoolander
MovieStar Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
1996
as Self
TVE! True Hollywood Story
1996
TVThe Daily Show
1996
as Self
MovieThe Cable Guy
1996
as Sam Sweet
Saturday Night Special
1996
MovieFlirting with Disaster
1996
as Mel Coplin
MovieIf Lucy Fell
1996
as Bwick Elias
MovieHappy Gilmore
1996
as Hal L. (uncredited)
TVMr. Show with Bob and David
1995
as Jerry
TVDr. Katz, Professional Therapist
1995
as Ben (voice)
TVNewsRadio
1995
as Vic
MovieHeavyweights
1995
as Tony Perkis / Tony Perkis Sr.
TVFriends
1994
as Tommy
TVInside the Actors Studio
1994
as Self
TVSpace Ghost Coast to Coast
1994
TVDuckman
1994
as Harry Medfly (voice)
MovieReality Bites
1994
as Michael Grates
TVFrasier
1993
as Barry (voice)
TVLate Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
as Self - Guest
TVRaw
1993
as Himself
TVThe Ben Stiller Show
1992
as Various Characters
MovieThe Nutt House
1992
as Pie Thrower (uncredited)
TVThe Larry Sanders Show
1992
as Ben Stiller
TVMTV Movie & TV Awards
1992
TVThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
MovieHighway to Hell
1991
as Pluto's Cook / Attila the Hun
MovieWorking Tra$h
1990
as Freddy Novak
MovieStella
1990
as Jim Uptegrove
TVThe Simpsons
1989
as Garth Motherloving (voice)
MovieNext of Kin
1989
as Lawrence Isabella
MovieThat's Adequate
1989
as Chip Lane
MovieElvis Stories
1989
as Bruce
MovieFresh Horses
1988
as Tipton
TVLIVE with Kelly and Mark
1988
as Self
MovieEmpire of the Sun
1987
as Dainty
MovieThe House of Blue Leaves
1987
as Ronnie Shaughnessy
MovieHot Pursuit
1987
as Chris Honeywell
MovieThe Hustler of Money
1987
as Wince
TVKids' Choice Awards
1987
as Host
MovieShoeshine
1987
as Son
TVMiami Vice
1984
as Fast Eddie Felcher
TVMTV Video Music Awards
1984
as Self - Host
TVKate & Allie
1984
TVLate Night with David Letterman
1982
as Self
TVAmerican Playhouse
1982
as Ronnie Shaughnessy
TVEntertainment Tonight
1981
as Self
TVSaturday Night Live
1975
as Self - Various Characters
TVKate McShane
1975
as Nickie
TVThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self
TVThe Oscars
1953
as Self
TVToday
1952
as Self
TVThe Emmy Awards
1949
as Self
MovieThe Semplica Girl Diaries
The Champions
Belly of the Beast
as Norman Mailer
A Matter of Time
The Off Weeks
as Gus Adler
