Editing Ben Stiller (section)

==Career==
===Early work===
When he was approximately 15, Stiller obtained a small part with one line on the television soap opera ''[[Guiding Light]]'', although in an interview he characterized his performance as poor.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Something Something Japanese|series=[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]|airdate=July 26, 2012|season=2|number=121|network=[[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]]}}</ref> He was later cast in a role in the 1986 Broadway revival of [[John Guare]]'s ''[[The House of Blue Leaves]]'', alongside [[John Mahoney]]; the production would garner four [[Tony Award]]s.<ref name="Tis"/>

During its run, Stiller produced a satirical [[mockumentary]] whose principal was fellow actor Mahoney. Stiller's comedic work was well received by the cast and crew of the play, and he followed up with a 10-minute short titled ''The Hustler of Money'', a parody of the [[Martin Scorsese]] film ''[[The Color of Money]]''. The film featured him in a send-up of [[Tom Cruise]]'s character and Mahoney in the [[Paul Newman]] role, only this time as a [[bowling]] hustler instead of a [[Hustling|pool shark]]. The short got the attention of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', which aired it in 1987 and two years later offered Stiller a spot as a writer.<ref name="Tis" /> In the meantime, he had a bit role in [[Steven Spielberg]]'s ''[[Empire of the Sun (film)|Empire of the Sun]]''.<ref name="EmpireHorses">{{cite magazine|last=Svetkey|first=Benjamin|title=Our Son the Comedian|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://ew.com/article/1992/10/16/funny-man-ben-stiller/|date=October 16, 1992|access-date=January 9, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100113025333/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20053133,00.html|archive-date=January 13, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1989 Stiller wrote for and appeared on ''Saturday Night Live'' as a featured performer. However, since the show did not want him to make more short films, he left after four episodes.<ref name="Tis"/> He then put together ''Elvis Stories'', a short film about a fictitious tabloid focused on recent sightings of [[Elvis Presley]].<ref name="ElvisStories">{{cite news|last=Wickstrom|first=Andy|title=The King Lives in 'Elvis Stories'|work=[[Boca Raton News]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X8UPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5430,1125901&dq=ben+stiller+elvis+stories|date=January 5, 1990|access-date=January 9, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The film starred friends and co-stars [[John Cusack]], [[Jeremy Piven]], [[Mike Myers (actor)|Mike Myers]], [[Andy Dick]], and Jeff Kahn.<ref name="ElvisStories"/> The film was considered a success, and led him to develop the short film ''Going Back to Brooklyn'' for [[MTV]]; it was a music video starring comedian [[Colin Quinn]] that parodied [[LL Cool J]]'s recent hit "[[Going Back to Cali (LL Cool J song)|Going Back to Cali]]".<ref name="BackBrooklyn">{{cite news|title=Stiller gets serious|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EED25DFF4A38F12&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D|url-access=registration |date=September 28, 2001|access-date=January 9, 2010}}</ref>

===''The Ben Stiller Show''===
{{Main|The Ben Stiller Show}}
Producers at MTV were so impressed with ''Back to Brooklyn'' that they offered Stiller a 13-episode show in the experimental "vid-com" format.<ref name="BSBio">{{cite web|last=Wills|first=Dominic|title=Ben Stiller – Biography|publisher=[[Tiscali]]|url=http://www.talktalk.co.uk/entertainment/film/biography/artist/ben-stiller/biography/7|access-date=January 9, 2010}}</ref> Titled ''The Ben Stiller Show'', this 1990 series mixed comedy sketches with music videos and parodied various television shows, music stars, and films. It starred Stiller, along with main writer Jeff Khan and Harry O'Reilly, with his parents and sister making occasional appearances.<ref name="BSBio" />

Although the show was canceled after its first season, it led to another show titled ''[[The Ben Stiller Show]]'', on the [[Fox Network]] in 1992. The series aired 12 episodes on Fox, with a 13th unaired episode broadcast by [[Comedy Central]] in a later revival.<ref name="CC13th">{{cite news|last=Bianculli|first=David|title='Stiller' Gonna Make Sat. Night Livelier|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/stiller-gonna-sat-night-livelier-article-1.710267|date=August 24, 1995|access-date=August 10, 2013}}</ref> Among the principal writers on ''The Ben Stiller Show'' were Stiller and [[Judd Apatow]], with the show featuring the ensemble cast of Stiller, [[Janeane Garofalo]], [[Andy Dick]], and [[Bob Odenkirk]].<ref name="EWTBSSCast">{{cite magazine|last=Kushner|first=David|title=Jokers Mild|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://ew.com/article/1999/03/26/ben-stiller-show-and-seinfeld-reunite/|date=March 26, 1999|access-date=January 11, 2010|archive-date=June 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618160124/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,274884,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Both [[Denise Richards]] and [[Jeanne Tripplehorn]] appeared as extras in various episodes. Throughout its short run, ''The Ben Stiller Show'' frequently appeared at the bottom of the ratings, even as it garnered critical acclaim and eventually won an [[Primetime Emmy Award|Emmy Award]] for "[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program|Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program]]" posthumously.<ref name="CC13th" /><ref name="EWEmmy">{{cite magazine |first=Josh|last=Wolk|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/12/05/ben-still-talks-ew-about-his-new-dvd/|title=Stiller Standing|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=December 5, 2003|access-date=March 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425165600/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,552650,00.html|archive-date=April 25, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AboutPolar">{{cite news|last1=Read|first1=Kimberly|last2=Purse|first2=Marsia|date=August 4, 2007|publisher=About.com|title=Ben Stiller – Actor/Comedian|url=http://bipolar.about.com/cs/celebs/a/benstiller.htm|access-date=March 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214155217/http://bipolar.about.com/cs/celebs/a/benstiller.htm|archive-date=February 14, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Directorial debut===
[[File:BenStillerTropicThunderPendleton.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A crowd of people is all looking towards a man at the center who is signing a hat. The crowd is attempting to hand him posters to sign and others are taking pictures using cameras and cell phones.|Stiller signing autographs before a screening for ''[[Tropic Thunder]]'' at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton|Camp Pendleton]] in August 2008]]
In the early 1990s, Stiller had minor roles in films such as ''[[Stella (1990 film)|Stella]]'' and ''[[Highway to Hell (film)|Highway to Hell]]'' as well as a cameo in ''[[The Nutt House (film)|The Nutt House]]''. In 1992, Stiller was approached to direct ''[[Reality Bites]]'', based on a script by Helen Childress. Stiller devoted the next year and a half to rewriting the script with Childress, fundraising, and recruiting cast members for the film. It was eventually released in early 1994, directed by Stiller and featuring him as a co-star.<ref name="Tis" /> The film was produced by [[Danny DeVito]], who would later direct Stiller's 2003 film ''[[Duplex (film)|Duplex]]'' and produce his 2004 film ''[[Along Came Polly]]''.<ref name="BitesDevito">{{cite news|title=Ben Stiller Finds 'Reality' is in the Genes|work=[[New Straits Times]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ie8VAAAAIBAJ&pg=4107,1370578&dq=danny+devito+reality+bites|date=February 15, 1994|access-date=January 9, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> ''Reality Bites'' debuted as the fifth highest-grossing film over the President Day opening weekend and received mixed reviews.<ref name="RBRT">{{cite web|title=Reality Bites (1993)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/reality_bites|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=February 18, 1994 |access-date=January 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213003345/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/reality_bites|archive-date=February 13, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=February 18-21, 1994 - Presidents' Day weekend (US) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/1994W07/occasion/us_presidentsday_weekend/?ref_=bo_rl_table_2 |access-date=July 17, 2024 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref>

Stiller joined his parents in the family film ''[[Heavyweights]]'' (1995), in which he played two roles. Following Heavyweights, he had a brief uncredited role in [[Adam Sandler]]'s ''[[Happy Gilmore]]'' (1996) where he played Hal L., the sadistic orderly running the nursing home.<ref name="HeavyParents">{{cite news|last=Holden|first=Stephen|title=Spoofing the TV Gurus of Fitness|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/17/movies/film-review-spoofing-the-tv-gurus-of-fitness.html|date=February 17, 1995|access-date=January 9, 2010}}</ref><ref name="HappyCameo">{{cite news|last=Lowry|first=Brian|title=Happy Gilmore|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117910802.html?categoryid=31&cs=1|date=February 19, 1996|access-date=January 9, 2010}}</ref> Next, he had lead roles in ''[[If Lucy Fell]]'' and ''[[Flirting with Disaster (film)|Flirting with Disaster]]'', before tackling his next directorial effort with ''[[The Cable Guy]]'', which starred [[Jim Carrey]]. Stiller once again was featured in his own film, as twins. The film received mixed reviews, but was noted for paying the highest salary for an actor up to that point, as Carrey received $20 million for his work in the film.<ref name="Carrey20Mil">{{cite news|first=Sharon|last=Waxman|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/21833212.html?dids=21833212:21833212&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+23%2C+1996&author=Sharon+Waxman&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Are+Superstars+Worth+Their+Pay%3F+After+Busts+Like+%60Striptease%2C%27+Some+Still+Pull+In+Tens+of+Millions&pqatl=google|title=Stiller Standing|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|format=Fee required|date=July 23, 1996|access-date=March 29, 2009|archive-date=July 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725044503/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/21833212.html?dids=21833212:21833212&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+23%2C+1996&author=Sharon+Waxman&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Are+Superstars+Worth+Their+Pay%3F+After+Busts+Like+%60Striptease%2C%27+Some+Still+Pull+In+Tens+of+Millions&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film also connected Stiller with future [[Frat Pack]] members [[Jack Black]] and [[Owen Wilson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaw |first=Gabbi |title=18 celebrity BFFs who have worked together |url=https://www.insider.com/celebrity-best-movies-tv-together-2018-4 |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Insider}}</ref>
[[File:Ben Stiller and Eddy Cue at SXSW 2025 01.jpg|thumb|Stiller and [[Eddy Cue]] discussing ''Severance'' at [[SXSW]] 2025]]
Also in 1996, MTV invited Stiller to host the [[VH1]] Fashion Awards. Along with ''[[Saturday Night Live|SNL]]'' writer Drake Sather, Stiller developed a short film for the awards about a male model known as Derek Zoolander. It was so well received that he developed another short film about the character for the 1997 VH1 Fashion Awards and finally remade the skit into a film.<ref name="Tis"/>

In 2021, Stiller signed on to co-write and direct ''Bag Man'', a [[Focus Features]] adaptation of [[Bag Man (podcast)|the 2018]] podcast about the kickback scandal that led to the resignation of Vice President [[Spiro Agnew]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title=Ben Stiller to Direct Adaptation of Rachel Maddow's 'Bag Man' Podcast |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/ben-stiller-rachel-maddow-bag-man-podcast-1234901906/ |access-date=29 October 2023 |work=Variety |date=5 February 2021}}</ref> As of October 2023, the movie remains in pre-production.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bag Man Official Web Site {{!}} Trailers and Release Dates {{!}} Focus Features |url=https://www.focusfeatures.com/bag-man |website=Focus Features |access-date=29 October 2023}}</ref>

===Comedic work===
[[File:Ben Stiller 2010 (Cropped).jpg|upright|thumb|left|Stiller in 2010]]
In 1998, Stiller put aside his directing ambitions to star in the Farrelly Brothers' ''[[There's Something About Mary]]'', alongside [[Cameron Diaz]], which became a surprise hit with a long-lasting cult following. That year, he starred in several dramas, including ''[[Zero Effect]]'', ''[[Your Friends & Neighbors (film)|Your Friends & Neighbors]]'', and ''[[Permanent Midnight]]''. He was invited to take part in hosting the Music Video awards, for which he developed a parody of the [[Backstreet Boys]] and performed a sketch with his father, commenting on his current career.<ref name="MTVAwards">{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PG&p_theme=pg&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB48E29C6FF1273&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D|url-access=registration |title=Madonna Rules at Routine MTV Video Music Awards|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=September 12, 1998|access-date=January 11, 2010}}</ref>

In 1999, he starred in three films, including ''[[Mystery Men]]'', where he played a superhero wannabe called Mr. Furious. He appeared in a segment on the July 26 episode of [[WWE|WWF]] [[WWE Raw|RAW is WAR]] to promote the then-upcoming movie and found himself on the wrong end of Intercontinental Champion [[Jeff Jarrett]]'s Figure-4 Leg Lock.

He returned to directing with a new spoof television series for Fox titled ''[[Heat Vision and Jack]]'', starring Jack Black. However, the show was not picked up by Fox after its pilot episode and the series was cancelled.<ref name="HeatJack">{{cite news|last=Lawrence|first=Will|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/3668201/Ben-Stiller-behaving-badly.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/3668201/Ben-Stiller-behaving-badly.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Ben Stiller behaving badly|work=The Guardian|date=September 28, 2007|access-date=January 11, 2010|location=London, UK}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 2000, Stiller starred in three more films, including one of his most recognizable roles, a male nurse named Gaylord "Greg" Focker in ''[[Meet the Parents]]'', opposite [[Robert De Niro]].<ref name="MeetParent">{{cite news|last=Turan|first=Kenneth|url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie001005-7,0,4306790.story|title=Meet the Parents|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 6, 2000|access-date=January 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027061654/http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie001005-7,0,4306790.story|archive-date=October 27, 2007}}</ref> The film was well received by critics, grossed over $330 million worldwide, and spawned two sequels.<ref name="RTMeet">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meet_the_parents/|title=Meet the Parents|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=October 6, 2000 |access-date=January 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106074241/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meet_the_parents/|archive-date=January 6, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MeetBO">{{cite web|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|title=Meet the Parents|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=meettheparents.htm|access-date=January 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130064516/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=meettheparents.htm|archive-date=January 30, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2024 it was announced that Stiller and De Niro were in talks to star in a fourth ''Meet the Parents'' film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leib |first=Mason |date=December 10, 2024 |title=Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro in talks to star in 4th 'Meet the Parents' movie |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/ben-stiller-robert-de-niro-talks-star-4th-meet-the-parents/story?id=116662223 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> Also in 2000, MTV again invited Stiller to make another short film, and he developed ''[[Mission: Improbable]]'', a spoof of [[Tom Cruise]]'s role in ''[[Mission: Impossible II]]'' and other films.<ref name="MissImpr">{{cite news|last=Mills|first=Nancy|url=http://news.therecord.com/arts/article/250701|title=Bride of Ben|work=[[The Record (Waterloo Region)|The Record]]|date=October 3, 2007|access-date=January 11, 2010}}</ref>

In 2001, Stiller directed his third feature film, ''[[Zoolander]]'', in which he also starred as Derek Zoolander. The film featured multiple cameos from a variety of celebrities, including [[Donald Trump]], [[Paris Hilton]], [[Lenny Kravitz]], [[Heidi Klum]], and [[David Bowie]], among others. The film was banned in [[Malaysia]] (as the plot centered on an assassination attempt of a Malaysian prime minister),<ref name="GU">{{cite news|work=The Guardian|title=Zoolander faces Malaysian censorship controversy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/sep/28/filmcensorship.news|access-date=March 29, 2009|location=London, UK|date=March 5, 2002}}</ref> while shots of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] were digitally removed and hidden for the film's release after the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11 terrorist attacks]].<ref name="WTCremoval2">{{cite news|last=Maher|first=Kevin|work=[[The Observer]]|title=Back with a bang|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/jun/30/features.review|date=June 30, 2002|access-date=March 29, 2009|location=London}}</ref>

After Stiller worked with [[Owen Wilson]] in ''Zoolander'', they joined forces again for ''[[The Royal Tenenbaums]]''.<ref name="WTCremoval">{{cite news|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|work=The Guardian|title=The Royal Tenenbaums|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/mar/15/1|date=March 15, 2002|access-date=January 13, 2010}}</ref>

Over the next two years, Stiller continued with a starring role in the film ''[[Duplex (film)|Duplex]]'', and cameos in ''[[Orange County (film)|Orange County]]'' and ''Nobody Knows Anything!''<ref name="Duplex9M">{{cite news|last=Macaulay|first=Sean|work=[[The Times]]|location=London|title=Ben there, done that|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article998502.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615185756/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article998502.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 15, 2011|date=January 20, 2004|access-date=January 13, 2010}}</ref><ref name="OrangeCameo">{{cite news|last=Patterson|first=John|work=The Guardian|title=Strange Fruit|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/jan/14/artsfeatures|date=January 14, 2002|access-date=January 13, 2010|location=London, UK}}</ref><ref name="NYTNKA">{{cite news|title=Nobody Knows Anything (2003)|url=http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/310168/Nobody-Knows-Anything/overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103090813/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/310168/Nobody-Knows-Anything/overview|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 3, 2012|access-date=January 13, 2010|first=Duncan J.|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=2012|last=Watts}}</ref> He has guest-starred on several television shows, including an appearance in an episode of the television series ''[[The King of Queens]]'', in a flashback as the father of the character Arthur (played by Jerry Stiller).<ref name="KingQueenFatherSon">{{cite news|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|work=[[USA Today]]|title='Museum' Exhibits Funny Pals; Ben Stiller's Key to Success: One For All, All For One|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/1178600971.html?dids=1178600971:1178600971&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+12%2C+2006&author=Anthony+Breznican&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=%27Museum%27+exhibits+funny+pals+%3B+Ben+Stiller%27s+key+to+success%3A+One+for+all%2C+all+for+one&pqatl=google|format=Fee required|date=December 12, 2006|access-date=January 13, 2010|archive-date=July 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724231115/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/1178600971.html?dids=1178600971:1178600971&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+12%2C+2006&author=Anthony+Breznican&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=%27Museum%27+exhibits+funny+pals+%3B+Ben+Stiller%27s+key+to+success%3A+One+for+all%2C+all+for+one&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also made a guest appearance on [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]'s [[WWE Raw]].<ref name="FindArticles">{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Tim|publisher=Cable World|title=PPV's Cure for the Summertime Blues|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DIZ/is_31_12/ai_64148060|date=July 31, 2000|access-date=March 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301141248/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DIZ/is_31_12/ai_64148060|archive-date=March 1, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2004, Stiller appeared in six different films, all of which were comedies, and include some of his highest-grossing films: ''[[Starsky & Hutch (film)|Starsky & Hutch]]'', ''[[Envy (2004 film)|Envy]]'' (which he co-starred with [[Jack Black]] in), ''[[Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story]]'', ''[[Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy]]'' (in which he had an uncredited cameo), ''[[Along Came Polly]]'', and ''[[Meet the Fockers]]''. While the critical flop ''Envy'' only grossed $14.5 million,<ref name="BOM1">{{cite web|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|title=Envy|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=envy.htm|access-date=March 29, 2009}}</ref> the most successful film of these was ''Meet the Fockers'', which grossed over $516.6 million worldwide.<ref name="BOMMeetF">{{cite web|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|title=Meet the Fockers|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=meetthefockers.htm|access-date=March 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331133453/http://boxofficemojo.com/|archive-date=March 31, 2009|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

He also made extended guest appearances on ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'' and ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'' in the same year. He appeared on shows such as ''[[Friends]]'', and ''[[Extras (TV series)|Extras]]'', the latter of which earned him a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series]] nomination. In 2005, Stiller appeared in ''[[Madagascar (2005 film)|Madagascar]]'', which was his first experience as a voice actor in an animated film. ''Madagascar'' was a massive worldwide hit, and spawned the sequels ''[[Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa]]'' in 2008 and ''[[Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted]]'' in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fritz|first=Ben|title=D'Works will rely on animal instinct|url=https://variety.com/2005/digital/features/d-works-will-rely-on-animal-instinct-1117929100/|access-date=May 3, 2019|newspaper=Variety|date=September 14, 2005}}</ref>

In 2006, Stiller had cameo roles in ''[[School for Scoundrels (2006 film)|School for Scoundrels]]'' and ''[[Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny]]''; he was executive producer of the latter. In December 2006, he had the lead role in ''[[Night at the Museum]]''. Although not a critical favorite, it earned over $115 million in ten days.<ref name="BOM3">{{cite web|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|title=Night at the Museum – Daily Box Office|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=nightatthemuseum.htm|access-date=March 29, 2009}}</ref>

In 2007, Stiller starred alongside [[Malin Åkerman]] in the romantic comedy ''[[The Heartbreak Kid (2007 film)|The Heartbreak Kid]]''. The film earned over $100 million worldwide despite receiving mostly negative reviews.<ref name="BOMHK">{{cite web|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|title=The Heartbreak Kid|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=heartbreakkid.htm|access-date=January 11, 2010}}</ref><ref name="RTHK">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_heartbreak_kid|title=The Heartbreak Kid|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=October 5, 2007 |access-date=January 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213010408/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_heartbreak_kid|archive-date=February 13, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[file:Ben Stiller Dustin Hoffman Cannes 2017.jpg|thumb|270px|Stiller with [[Dustin Hoffman]], 2017]]
In 2008, Stiller directed, co-wrote, co-produced, and starred in the film ''[[Tropic Thunder]]'', with [[Robert Downey Jr.]] and [[Jack Black]]; Stiller had originally conceived of the film's premise while filming ''Empire of the Sun'' in 1987.<ref name="ew">{{Cite magazine|last=Vary|first=Adam B.|title=First Look: 'Tropic Thunder'|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 3, 2008|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20182058,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120224356/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20182058,00.html|archive-date=November 20, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2009, he starred with [[Amy Adams]] in ''[[Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian]]'', sequel to ''[[Night at the Museum]]''.<ref name="NightMuseum2">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/ed-helms-mans-manure-1117986769/|last=Siegel|first=Tatiana|title=Ed Helms mans 'Manure'|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=June 2, 2008|access-date=March 29, 2009}}</ref>

In 2010, Stiller made a brief cameo in [[Joaquin Phoenix]]'s mockumentary ''[[I'm Still Here (2010 film)|I'm Still Here]]'' and played the lead role in the comedy-drama ''[[Greenberg (film)|Greenberg]]''. He again portrayed Greg Focker in the critically panned but financially successful ''[[Little Fockers]]'', the second sequel to ''Meet the Parents''. He originally had planned to voice the titular protagonist of ''[[Megamind]]'' along with [[Robert Downey Jr.]], but later dropped out and was replaced by [[Will Ferrell]] while still remaining an executive producer and voicing a minor character in the film, a museum curator named Bernard.<ref name="MasterMind">{{cite news|url=http://www.vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=3631a5a1&atype=news&id=19455|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105091936/http://www.vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=3631a5a1&atype=news&id=19455|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 5, 2013|title=DreamWorks Animation Acquires Superhero Spoof|access-date=March 29, 2009|date=April 3, 2007|publisher=VFX World}}</ref>

In 2011, Stiller starred with [[Eddie Murphy]] and [[Alan Alda]] in ''[[Tower Heist]]'', about a group of maintenance workers planning a heist in a residential skyscraper.<ref name="Tower">{{cite news|last=Kit|first=Borys|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=11875353|title=Eddie Murphy to Star in 'Tower Heist'|access-date=January 6, 2010|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref> He produced, directed, and starred in ''[[The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013 film)|The Secret Life of Walter Mitty]]'', which was released in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Barnes|first1=Henry|title=Ben Stiller to direct and star in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jul/20/ben-stiller-direct-walter-mitty|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=July 16, 2015|date=July 20, 2011}}</ref>

In 2018 and 2019, Stiller played [[Michael Cohen (lawyer)|Michael Cohen]] on ''Saturday Night Live'' for 6 episodes.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/how-ben-stiller-started-playing-michael-cohen-snl-1196381/ | title=Ben Stiller Reveals How He Started Playing Michael Cohen on 'SNL' | website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=March 22, 2019 }}</ref>

In 2024 Stiller made his acting comeback after seven years with the holiday films ''[[Nutcrackers (film)|Nutcrackers]]'' and ''[[Dear Santa (2024 film)|Dear Santa]]'', the latter also featuring Jack Black and having him in an uncredited role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Montemayor |first=Cece |date=2024-12-03 |title=Ben Stiller Stars In TWO Of 2024's Most Offbeat Christmas Comedies |url=https://screenrant.com/ben-stiller-2024-christmas-movies-nutcrackers-dear-santa-recommendation/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cava |first=Marco della |title=Ben Stiller thought his sweet Hulu movie 'Nutcrackers' might be a 'parody' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/11/29/ben-stiller-nutcrackers-holiday-movie-hulu/76408599007/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> While promoting the films Stiller appeared on the popular interview show [[Hot Ones]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haysom |first=Sam |date=2024-12-06 |title=Ben Stiller takes on 'Hot Ones', gets reduced to a giggling, streaming mess |url=https://mashable.com/video/ben-still-hot-ones |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Mashable |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2024, Stiller was featured in a music video trailer for singer [[SZA]]'s new album Lana, singing her song Drive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Jem Aswad, Thania |date=2024-12-17 |title=SZA Drops 'Lana' Teaser Video Starring Ben Stiller, Long-Delayed Album Will Be Released on Friday |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/sza-teases-lana-album-ben-stiller-video-1236248980/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=2024-12-17 |title=SZA Taps Ben Stiller to Announce Long-Awaited 'Lana' LP |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sza-ben-stiller-lana-lp-teaser-1235208210/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

Stiller is set to reprise his role as Hal L. in [[Happy Gilmore 2]], a sequel to Happy Gilmore (1996) scheduled for premiere on July 25, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Bailey |title=Happy Gilmore Is Back! Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller Spotted Filming Long-Awaited Sequel in New Jersey |url=https://people.com/happy-gilmore-2-adam-sandler-ben-stiller-spotted-filming-sequel-8742808 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> He was confirmed to appear in [[The Dink]] (2025), a comedy film about the sport of pickleball directed by Josh Greenbaum and co-produced with Stiller.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/the-dink-movie-adds-chloe-fineman-patton-oswalt-five-more-1236167115/|title=Pickleball Comedy ‘The Dink’ Adds Chloe Fineman, Patton Oswalt & Five Others}}</ref>