Cast & creator
Ben Stiller
Best known for Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
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.
Also known as: Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller
207
film credits
123
television credits
240
1949–2026 · acting roles
6.4
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (330)
Showing 330 of 330 credits
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest
2009
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self
2014The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self - Guest
2014
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self
2015The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self - Guest
2015
The Simpsons
Garth Motherloving (voice)
1989
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self
2014Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self - Guest
2014
The Daily Show
Self
1996
Family Guy
Ben Stiller (voice) (uncredited)
1999
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
1961
Raw
Himself
1993
Saturday Night Live
Self - Various Characters
1975Saturday Night Live
Self - Host
1975Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1975Saturday Night Live
Tom Cruise / Vincent Lauria (uncredited)
1975Saturday Night Live
Wes (uncredited)
1975Saturday Night Live
Self - Various Characters (uncredited)
1975Saturday Night Live
Director
1975
The Graham Norton Show
Self
2007
The View
Self
1997
Friends
Tommy
1994
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self
2003Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self - Guest
2003
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self
1988
King of the Hill
Rich (voice)
1997
Frasier
Barry (voice)
1993
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest
1993
Phineas and Ferb
Khaka Peü Peü (voice)
2007
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Ben Stiller
2000
Late Night with David Letterman
Self
1982
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
The One Show
Self
2006
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self
2003
Quotidien
Self - Guest
2016
The King of Queens
Jerry - Arthur Spooner’s Father
1998
American Playhouse
Ronnie Shaughnessy
1982
Miami Vice
Fast Eddie Felcher
1984
Hot Ones
Self
2015
American Idol
Self
2002
Arrested Development
Tony Wonder
2003
MTV Video Music Awards
Self - Host
1984
Severance
Kier Eagan (voice) (uncredited)
2022Severance
Executive Producer
2022Severance
Director
2022
The Larry Sanders Show
Ben Stiller
1992
Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter
Self
2015
Duckman
Harry Medfly (voice)
1994
NewsRadio
Vic
1995
The Jonathan Ross Show
Self - Guest
2011
Workaholics
Del Jacobson
2011
MTV Movie & TV Awards
1992
The Oscars
Self
1953The Oscars
Self - Presenter
1953
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
1994
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
Self
2007
Krapopolis
Prometheus (voice)
2023
Today
Self
1952
On Air with Ryan Seacrest
Self
2004
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
Ben (voice)
1995Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
Additional Writing
1995
Kate & Allie
1984
Freaks and Geeks
Agent Meara
1999
Desus & Mero
Self - Illustrious Guest
2019
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Alex (voice)
2012
Madagascar
Alex (voice)
2005
Chicken Shop Date
Self - Guest
2014Chicken Shop Date
Self - Guest (archive footage)
2014
Megamind
Bernard (voice)
2010Megamind
Executive Producer
2010
In the Dark
Executive Producer
2019
Circus Halligalli
Self
2013
Tropic Thunder
Tugg Speedman
2008Tropic Thunder
Producer
2008Tropic Thunder
Screenplay
2008Tropic Thunder
Director
2008Tropic Thunder
Story
2008
Another Period
Charles Ponzi
2015Another Period
Executive Producer
2015
Night at the Museum
Larry Daley
2006
Mr. Show with Bob and David
Jerry
1995
Extras
Ben Stiller
2005
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Larry Daley / Laaa
2014
Entertainment Tonight
Self
1981
Ted's Notebook
Self
2012
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Alex (voice)
2008
Running Wild with Bear Grylls
Self
2014
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Walter Mitty
2013The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Producer
2013The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Director
2013
StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson
Self
2015
Burning Love
Joe
2012Burning Love
Executive Producer
2012
Why Him?
Producer
2016
Kids' Choice Awards
Host
1987
Undeclared
Rex
2001
Everybody's Live with John Mulaney
Self - Actor and Director
2025
There's Something About Mary
Ted Stroehmann
1998
Primetime Glick
2001
Rove
Self
1999
Comedy Central Roasts
Self
2003
Meet the Fockers
Greg Focker
2004
The Dink
Dr. Stone
2026The Dink
Producer
2026
Inside Comedy
Self
2012
Happy Gilmore
Hal L. (uncredited)
1996
The Early Show
Self
1999
High Desert
Executive Producer
2023
Meet the Parents
Greg Focker
2000
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
White Goodman
2004DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
Producer
2004
The Cable Guy
Sam Sweet
1996The Cable Guy
Director
1996The Cable Guy
Screenplay
1996
The Heartbreak Kid
Eddie Cantrow
2007
The Ben Stiller Show
Various Characters
1992The Ben Stiller Show
Writer
1992The Ben Stiller Show
Director
1992The Ben Stiller Show
Creator
1992
Empire of the Sun
Dainty
1987
Take Two with Phineas and Ferb
Self
2010
Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis
Self
2008
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Larry Daley
2009
Blades of Glory
Producer
2007
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Arturo Mendes
2004
Happy Gilmore 2
Hal L
2025
Little Fockers
Greg Focker
2010
Along Came Polly
Reuben Feffer
2004
Dear Santa
Lucifer (uncredited)
2024
Zoolander 2
Derek Zoolander
2016Zoolander 2
Characters
2016Zoolander 2
Writer
2016Zoolander 2
Director
2016Zoolander 2
Producer
2016
Focker-in-Law
Greg Focker
2026Focker-in-Law
Producer
2026
Tower Heist
Josh Kovacs
2011
Beastie Boys Story
Self
2020
Eagleheart
Silly Sammy
2011
Hubie Halloween
Orderly Hal
2020
The Andy Dick Show
Self
2001
The Watch
Evan
2012
Escape at Dannemora
Executive Producer
2018Escape at Dannemora
Director
2018
Funny People
Friend in video (archive footage) (uncredited)
2009
The Flame
Associate Producer
2020
Zoolander
Derek Zoolander
2001Zoolander
Characters
2001Zoolander
Director
2001Zoolander
Producer
2001Zoolander
Screenplay
2001
Haters Back Off
Himself
2016
The Royal Tenenbaums
Chas Tenenbaum
2001
Starsky & Hutch
David Starsky
2004Starsky & Hutch
Executive Producer
2004
The Birthday Boys
2013The Birthday Boys
Creator
2013
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
Self - Actor & Filmmaker
2026
The Henry Rollins Show
2006
Orange County
Firefighter (uncredited)
2002
The Emmy Awards
Self
1949
Reality Bites
Michael Grates
1994Reality Bites
Director
1994
While We're Young
Josh Schrebnick
2015
Brad's Status
Brad Sloan
2017
Queenpins
Producer
2021
The Ruins
Executive Producer
2008
The Playboy Murders
Self (archive footage)
2023
Kate McShane
Nickie
1975
Merry Madagascar
Alex (voice)
2009
30 Minutes or Less
Producer
2011
The Big Year
Executive Producer
2011
The Trip
Ben Stiller
2010Wish Kids
2002
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny
Guitar Center Guy
2006Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny
Executive Producer
2006
Dinner in America
Producer
2020
Bros
Ben Stiller (uncredited)
2022
Duplex
Alex Rose
2003Duplex
Producer
2003
Mystery Men
Mr. Furious / Roy
1999
Prehistoric Planet
Narrator (voice)
2002
Submarine
Soap Opera Star (uncredited)
2011Submarine
Executive Producer
2011
Le Débarquement
2013
I'm Still Here
Ben Stiller
2010I'm Still Here
Thanks
2010
Madly Madagascar
Alex (voice)
2013
E! True Hollywood Story
1996
Plus One
Executive Producer
2019
Nutcrackers
Mike Maxwell
2024Nutcrackers
Executive Producer
2024
Don't Think Twice
Self
2016
Pauly Shore Is Dead
Ben Stiller (uncredited)
2003
The Package
Producer
2018
Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost
Self
2025Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost
Director
2025Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost
Producer
2025
Next of Kin
Lawrence Isabella
1989
School for Scoundrels
Lonnie Ratcliff
2006
Big Time in Hollywood, Fl
Jimmy Staats
2015
Locked Down
Guy
2021
Flirting with Disaster
Mel Coplin
1996
Vamps
Executive Producer
2012
The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)
Matthew Meyerowitz
2017
Keeping the Faith
Rabbi Jake Schram
2000
TV total
Self
1999
Heavyweights
Tony Perkis / Tony Perkis Sr.
1995
Alex Strangelove
Producer
2018
Greenberg
Roger Greenberg
2010
Tropic Thunder: Rain of Madness
Tugg Speedman
2008
Envy
Tim Dingman
2004
Highway to Hell
Pluto's Cook / Attila the Hun
1991Saturday Night Special
1996
Black and White
Mark Clear
1999
Gone Mental with Lior
Self
2020
Greed
Self
2019
Hot Pursuit
Chris Honeywell
1987
Born to Bowl
Executive Producer
2026
Your Friends & Neighbors
Jerry
1998
Elmo's Christmas Countdown
Stiller the Elf (voice)
2007
Zero Effect
Steve Arlo
1998
Being Canadian
Self
2015
The Marc Pease Experience
Jon Gribble
2009The Off Weeks
Gus Adler
The Off Weeks
Executive Producer
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story
Self
2009The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story
Executive Producer
2009
Inside the Actors Studio
Self
1994
Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics
Self
2020Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics
Producer
2020
Permanent Midnight
Jerry Stahl
1998
The Suburbans
Jay Rose
1999
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
Self
2023
Fresh Horses
Tipton
1988
Downey Wrote That
Self
2025
Late Night with Conan O'Brien: 10th Anniversary Special
Self
2003
Bianca by Night
Self - Guest (video link)
2025
The Truth Is in the Stars
Self
2017Playboy Mansion Parties Uncensored
Self
2001
The Hustler of Money
Wince
1987The Hustler of Money
Director
1987The Hustler of Money
Writer
1987
Run Ronnie Run
Self
2002Protective Custody
Protective Custody
Executive Producer
Confessions of an Action Star
Commander
2005
Friendsgiving
Producer
2020
Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs
Self
2017
America | A Tribute to Heroes
Self
2001
Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine
8008s
2020
Harmontown
Self
2014
AFI: 100 Years... 100 Movies... 10th Anniversary Edition
Self
2007
He's Way More Famous Than You
Ben Stiller
2013
Dreamworks: Holiday Classics
Alex (voice)
2012
Earth to America
Self
2005
The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld
2025
Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner
Self - Filmed Roaster
2006
12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief
Self
2012Danny Roane: First Time Director
Self
2006
Everybody Has an Andy Dick Story
Self
2017
Bridget Everett: Gynecological Wonder
Self
2015Bridget Everett: Gynecological Wonder
Executive Producer
2015
If Lucy Fell
Bwick Elias
1996
Celebrity Escape Room
Self
2020Celebrity Escape Room
Executive Producer
2020
The Semplica Girl Diaries
The Trip
Ben Stiller (uncredited)
2011
The Nutt House
Pie Thrower (uncredited)
1992
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Self
2012
Zoolander: Super Model
Derek Zoolander (voice)
2016
The House of Blue Leaves
Ronnie Shaughnessy
1987
The Independent
Cop
2000Bag Man
Director
Bag Man
Writer
Bag Man
Executive Producer
Heat Vision and Jack
Self / Strip Club DJ (uncredited)
1999Heat Vision and Jack
Director
1999
Crooked Lines
Presenter
2003
Working Tra$h
Freddy Novak
1990
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
Self
1996
Here Comes the Night Time
Fake Arcade Fire Bandmember
2013
Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!
Self
2006
Mission: Improbable
Tom Crooze
2001
Derek Zoolander: Male Model
Derek Zoolander
1996Derek Zoolander: Male Model
Writer
1996
Stella
Jim Uptegrove
1990
The Making of 'The Pick of Destiny'
Self
2007The Making of 'The Pick of Destiny'
Producer
2007
Nick Nolte: No Exit
Self
2008
London
Director
London
Producer
The Farrelly Bros.: In the French Tradition
Self
2007
Drake Sather: The Man Who Created Zoolander
2016
Nobody Knows Anything!
Peach Expert (uncredited)
2004
Monkey Mischief
Larry Daley
2009Belly of the Beast
Norman Mailer
The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller
Self
1999
Shoeshine
Son
1987
Le Débarquement
Self - host
2013
Untitled New York Knicks Documentary
Director
Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song?
Self (archive footage)
2004A Matter of Time
Bleecker
Dr. Pots
2023Bleecker
Executive Producer
2023
That's Adequate
Chip Lane
1989
Crash Test: With Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer
Producer
2015Nantucket Film Festival's Comedy Roundtable
Self - Panelist
2012
Romanekian
Self
2005
Sweet Micky for President
Self
2015
Derek Zoolander University
Derek Zoolander
1997Derek Zoolander University
Writer
1997
All Aboard the Crazy Train
Self - Special Appearance
2005Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable
Self
2013
Teen Choice Awards
Self
1999
Elvis Stories
Bruce
1989Elvis Stories
Director
1989The Hardy Men
Producer
Extremist
Executive Producer
2025Dodgeball 2
Producer
Slaying the Badger
Producer
Slaying the Badger
Co-Writer
The Champions
The Champions
Director
The Champions
Producer
Airman
Airman
Director
Airman
Producer
This, But Again
Producer
This, But Again
Director