Ben Stiller, known for his unforgettable comedic roles in films like Meet the Parents, Zoolander, and Tropic Thunder, recently opened up about the highs and lows of his career. While he became one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedy stars in the late 1990s and early 2000s, not everyone was a fan of his on-screen presence.
In an episode of The Interview podcast by The New York Times, Stiller recounted an unusual moment of criticism:
"I remember opening up the L.A. Times, and there was this writer who wrote a letter: 'Dear God, stop putting Ben Stiller in comedies.' I was just like, I don’t know, I’m here, I love doing what I do," Stiller recalled.
Despite the criticism, Stiller remains grateful for his place in comedy history. He acknowledged the unique charm of 2000s comedies: "You can look at 2000s comedies, and they were a specific kind of thing, a tone, and there were a lot of great things in those comedies that we don’t have now. I don’t know if you could re-create that."
From Early Missteps to Blockbuster Success
Stiller’s journey to stardom wasn’t without its challenges. After leaving Saturday Night Live after just four episodes in 1989, feeling he “wasn’t great at live performing,” he found his footing with The Ben Stiller Show on MTV. His knack for blending humor with relatability won him a devoted audience, paving the way for his string of box-office hits.
Stiller admitted that many of his career decisions weren’t part of a grand strategy: "I don’t think so, because I don’t think I’m that smart," he joked. He recalled that choosing to star in Night at the Museum was inspired by his childhood experiences: "I grew up near the natural history museum."
Balancing Franchises and Artistic Ambitions
While Night at the Museum (2006) became a massive success, spawning sequels in 2009 and 2014, Stiller’s motivation for continuing the franchise evolved. "At that point you’ve got a team together, and those were all fun to do, and I’m not going to not want to work with Robin Williams or Shawn Levy," he said.
However, he admitted to feeling torn between mainstream projects and his desire to explore different creative avenues: "The only part of it that was nagging at me is I liked to do other kinds of movies as a filmmaker, and I never really stopped to make the time to do that."
A Legacy Cemented
Ben Stiller’s career is a testament to his versatility, humor, and enduring appeal. While he may have faced critics along the way, his body of work continues to resonate with fans, proving that his iconic roles were anything but in vain.
