Ben Stiller is 60 years old, born on November 30, 1965, in New York City. The American actor, comedian, director, producer, and writer has spent nearly five decades in entertainment, rising from the child of two famous comedians to one of the most bankable comedy stars in Hollywood history before reinventing himself as an acclaimed director of prestige television, most notably Apple's hit series Severance. His films have grossed more than $2.6 billion at the North American box office, and he remains one of the few performers to succeed at the highest levels both in front of and behind the camera.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller |
| Born | November 30, 1965 |
| Age | 60 years |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, director, producer, writer |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5'7" (1.70 m) |
| Spouse/Partner | Christine Taylor (married 2000) |
| Children | Ella Olivia Stiller, Quinlin Dempsey Stiller |
| Estimated Net Worth | $200 million (according to Celebrity Net Worth) |
Early Life and Career
Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller was born on November 30, 1965, in New York City, into comedy royalty. His father, Jerry Stiller, and his mother, Anne Meara, were the beloved comedy duo Stiller and Meara, regulars on television variety shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Growing up around performers, young Ben made his acting debut at just ten years old in a guest role on his mother's television series Kate McShane. His older sister, Amy Stiller, also pursued acting.
Stiller began writing and shooting mockumentaries as a teenager and briefly attended the University of California, Los Angeles to study film before dropping out to pursue acting full time in New York. His big break came in the early 1990s with The Ben Stiller Show, a sketch comedy series he created, wrote, produced, and hosted. The show aired on MTV in 1990 and on Fox from 1992 to 1993, earning Stiller a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series — an early signal of his gift behind the camera as well as in front of it.
His directorial debut came with the 1994 cult classic Reality Bites, followed by the dark comedy The Cable Guy in 1996. But it was as a leading man that Stiller became a global star. He emerged in the late 1990s alongside a circle of comedic actors often called the Frat Pack — a group that included fellow comedy star Adam Sandler — and the 1998 smash hit There's Something About Mary made him one of Hollywood's top comedy draws. A string of box-office successes followed: Meet the Parents (2000), Zoolander (2001) — which he also directed and co-wrote — The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Starsky & Hutch (2004), Along Came Polly (2004), Dodgeball (2004), and Madagascar (2005), in which he voiced Alex the lion. The Night at the Museum trilogy, beginning in 2006, turned him into a family-franchise headliner, while his self-directed Tropic Thunder (2008) earned Robert Downey Jr. an Academy Award nomination and cemented Stiller's reputation as a filmmaker with real dramatic instincts.
Dramatic work has always run parallel to the comedy. His performance in the Noah Baumbach film Greenberg (2010) and his starring role in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) — which he also directed — showed audiences a quieter, more soulful version of the actor. By the late 2010s, Stiller was shifting decisively toward directing prestige projects, following a path similar to other comedy stars who reinvented themselves behind the camera, such as Jason Bateman, helming all seven episodes of the acclaimed Showtime limited series Escape at Dannemora (2018), which earned him strong reviews as a serious dramatic director.
That pivot paid off spectacularly with Severance. Stiller serves as an executive producer and primary director of the Apple TV+ psychological thriller created by Dan Erickson. He directed six episodes of the first season, which premiered in 2022, and directed multiple episodes of the long-awaited second season, which premiered in January 2025 after a nearly three-year production hiatus complicated by the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes. The series became one of the most celebrated shows on television, racking up major awards attention and a passionate global fanbase. Stiller has also said he knows exactly how the series will end, and while Apple has renewed Severance for a third season, Stiller has indicated he will step back from directing duties on that season to focus on film projects, remaining on board as executive producer.
He has also worked as a producer on upcoming projects through his company Red Hour Productions.
Personal Life
Ben Stiller met actress Christine Taylor on the set of the television pilot Heat Vision and Jack in 1999, and the two married less than a year later in 2000. Taylor is known for her roles in The Brady Bunch Movie, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, and Zoolander, the latter two of which she appeared in alongside her husband. The couple shares two children: daughter Ella Olivia Stiller and son Quinlin Dempsey Stiller.
In May 2017, Stiller and Taylor announced their separation after 17 years of marriage, but they never filed for divorce. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the family quarantined together, and the couple found their way back to each other. Stiller publicly confirmed in February 2022 that they had reconciled. Taylor has since spoken openly about the reunion, telling The McBride Rewind podcast in May 2026 that the pandemic became a gift for their marriage, allowing them to slow down, attend therapy together, and recommit to one another. She described the couple as now stronger and better than ever, adding that long-term marriages take real work.
The couple continues to appear together at public events, including the 2026 Met Gala, their first joint appearance at the event in roughly a decade, where they wore coordinated navy and orange outfits as a nod to Stiller's beloved New York Knicks. A lifelong Knicks fan, Stiller is a fixture at Madison Square Garden during basketball season. Much like fellow comedy star Steve Carell, Stiller is known for a grounded, self-deprecating public persona and has been open about his anxiety, which he has discussed in interviews as something he has managed throughout his career.
Net Worth
Ben Stiller's net worth is estimated at $200 million according to Celebrity Net Worth. The estimate reflects decades of top-tier film salaries, backend profit participation on blockbuster comedies, directing and producing fees, and voice-work earnings from the Madagascar franchise. At his commercial peak, Stiller commanded salaries of $15 million or more per film, and as a director and producer through Red Hour Productions he has earned lucrative deals on projects including Severance and Escape at Dannemora.
Beyond his entertainment earnings, Stiller has invested in real estate, owning homes in Los Angeles and New York, and has been involved in philanthropic work throughout his career. His films have collectively grossed more than $2.6 billion in Canada and the United States, placing him among the most commercially successful comedic actors of his generation. As he transitions further into directing and producing prestige television and film, his production company remains a significant and growing source of income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Ben Stiller?
Ben Stiller was born on November 30, 1965, making him 60 years old. The actor, comedian, and director is one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood comedy, with a career spanning from the 1980s to the present day.
Is Ben Stiller still married to Christine Taylor?
Yes, Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor are still together. They married in 2000, separated in 2017 but never divorced, and reconciled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stiller confirmed the reunion in 2022, and the couple remains married with two children.
What is Ben Stiller's net worth?
Ben Stiller's net worth is estimated at $200 million according to Celebrity Net Worth. His fortune comes from decades of hit comedy films, voice work in the Madagascar franchise, directing and producing fees, and profits from his production company Red Hour Productions.
Did Ben Stiller direct Severance?
Yes, Ben Stiller is an executive producer and the primary director of Apple TV+'s Severance. He directed six episodes of season one and multiple episodes of season two, which premiered in January 2025. He has said he will likely step back from directing on the announced third season while remaining executive producer.
What are Ben Stiller's most famous movies?
Ben Stiller's most famous movies include There's Something About Mary, Zoolander, Meet the Parents, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Tropic Thunder, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and the Night at the Museum and Madagascar franchises, plus his acclaimed directing work on Severance and Escape at Dannemora.