Ben Stiller’s Kids Detail Their Difficult Relationship With Him

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Ben Stillercouldn’t dodge his kids’ candid thoughts.

Ben Stiller’s new documentary, *Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost*, explores his upbringing and his parents, comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. In it, he also shares his experiences as a father, including difficult conversations he had with his children, Ella Stiller, 23, and Quin Stiller, 20, and his wife, Christine Taylor.

Quin explained to his father in the documentary that it’s easy to overthink things when you’re having a difficult time. Once you start dwelling on negative thoughts, it can be hard to stop, which can ruin the enjoyment of a vacation, according to Us Weekly.

His son pointed out that he was juggling many roles – director, actor, producer, writer, and father. He felt that sometimes, being a dad ended up being the lowest priority.

Ben remembered Ella telling him that she honestly didn’t recall him being present during her childhood.

The 59-year-old admitted it was difficult to hear his children open up about their experiences, especially since he’d worked hard to give them a happier childhood than he had himself.

In the documentary, Ben confessed he used to believe he was handling things much better than his parents had. He thought he was succeeding – he’d fly home on weekends and make sure his kids had fun when they visited him on set. But looking back, he realized his parents felt the same way he did as a child, something he hadn’t understood at the time.

The actor, known for his role in *Dodgeball*, has kept considering this subject after talking about it with his children on camera.

I was really struck by what he shared in a recent interview. He admitted he likely made more mistakes with his own kids than his parents ever did with him. It was incredibly honest, and his son even told him that being a father didn’t seem to be his biggest priority. It’s a vulnerable thing to admit, and it really resonated with me.

Ben acknowledges some unhappiness during his childhood, but becoming a parent helped him understand that repeating his own parents’ mistakes is almost unavoidable.

He described his relationship with his children as strong, but admitted it hasn’t always been easy. He used to believe that providing financially was enough to be a good father, especially when they were little. However, he now realizes how crucial it is to build close bonds with children from a young age.

His relationship with his children became even more difficult when he and Christine separated in 2017, though they later got back together after living together during the pandemic.

He admitted the divorce was hard on the children, but he believed it ultimately improved things for both him and Christine.

Ben added that the decision “changed our relationship.”

He explained that they’ve learned not to take things for granted. Being happy, he believes, makes you a better parent. Relationships have challenges, and you have to work through them. If you choose to stay together, you need to recognize past mistakes and try to fix them – that’s what’s happening in his family. It’s far from perfect, but he accepts that’s just how life is.

For a look back at Ben, Christine and their children over the years, keep reading.

Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor have been married since 2000 and separated in 2017, but they never officially divorced. After spending time together with their children, Ella and Quinlin, during the pandemic, they decided to get back together.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always admired families who support each other’s passions, and Ben Stiller’s is a perfect example! Over the years, I’ve noticed his daughter, Ella, has been a wonderful companion at so many industry events. Just last year, she joined him at the Tribeca Film Festival for the premiere of a short film starring her mom, Christine – they all looked fantastic coordinating their outfits! It’s become a sweet tradition. I remember seeing them together at the Emmys in 2022, and before that, at premieres for things like *Free Solo* and *The Meyerowitz Stories*, even the opening night of *Groundhog Day* on Broadway. Back in 2019, they were side-by-side at the Golden Globes, cheering on *Escape to Dannemora*, the show Ben was nominated for directing. It’s lovely to see them share these experiences together.

Ben recently shared how much he enjoyed working with his daughter, Ella, on the set of *Escape to Dannemora*. In an interview with TopMob, he said he was “very proud” of her. The *Zoolander* actor explained that he was pleased the experience went smoothly, noting Ella treated him with a lot of respect. He jokingly added that, as a parent of a teenager, he hoped they could maintain a polite dynamic on set, unlike their usual interactions at home, and that the whole experience was very positive for both of them.

Besides a small part in *Escape to Dannemora*, Ella has also appeared in *Hubie Halloween* and *Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb*. Her father, Ben, mentioned in 2019 that Ella seems genuinely interested in pursuing an acting career. Christine also shared that she always supported Ella’s desire to follow in her and Ben’s footsteps. She explained that Ella was determined from the start, and she never wanted to stand in her way. Christine believes growing up in New York City exposed Ella to a lot of inspiring art and performance, fueling her passion. While she didn’t actively encourage it, she fully supports Ella’s choices.

Ben recently shared that his daughter, Ella, had spoken to him about feeling his absence during her childhood because of his work. He told *Esquire* that it’s difficult to hear, as she’s able to clearly express how his career impacted her. It’s especially hard for him because he grew up with parents—actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara—who were often absent, and he vowed not to repeat that pattern.

While it wasn’t easy to hear Ella express her feelings, Ben understands it’s important to acknowledge them. He was also balancing his own ambitions and trying to achieve his career goals.

Ben emphasized that Ella and her brother, Quinlin, weren’t tracking his work absences; they simply missed having quality time with their dad. He realized that children aren’t concerned with their parents’ careers. What they really want is a parent who is emotionally available and supportive—something even more important than creative success.

Ben Affleck shared on *The Late Show With Stephen Colbert* that his daughter Ella turned him into a big Taylor Swift fan. He explained that playing Taylor Swift’s music helped calm Ella while he was teaching her to drive. He admitted he was a fan before, but now considers himself a full-fledged ‘Swiftie.’

According to Ben, Taylor’s music also helped *him* stay calm during the lessons. He detailed how they listened to albums like *Folklore* and *Evermore*, specifically mentioning songs like ‘Cardigan,’ ‘Betty,’ and ‘August,’ which tell a love story from different perspectives. He even pointed out that the characters in those songs are named after Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s children. He finished by referencing the 10-minute version of ‘All Too Well’ from Taylor’s vault, proving just how much of a fan he’s become.

Following the filming of *Tropic Thunder* with Ben in 2007, Christine decided to step back from acting to concentrate on raising their children. She explained in a 2010 interview with *The Morning Call* that it wasn’t a difficult choice. After having their daughter, Ella, she felt an overwhelming amount of love and wanted to be fully present in her child’s life. With Ben working frequently, she believed it was important for one parent to provide stability for the family. Ben later told *Parade* magazine in 2016 that he was very grateful for Christine’s decision.

Over ten years ago, Ben and Christine decided to switch to a plant-based diet and encourage their children to do the same. Christine shared with *People* magazine back in 2012 that her kids initially reacted with disbelief when they saw Ben and her making green smoothies, jokingly inviting them to join in. She noted their children have opposite preferences – their daughter enjoys vegetables but not fruit, while their son prefers fruit over vegetables. Despite this, Christine remains optimistic, believing that, like many kids, her children will eventually appreciate their parents’ healthy habits. She describes it as ‘planting the seeds’ and waiting for them to grow.

Ella frequently joins her parents at events, but Quinlin is rarely seen in public. He did attend the Project A.L.S. Benefit in 2018 with his family. According to Christine, who spoke with *Us Weekly*, this was Quinlin’s first event and he was simply enjoying the experience. She explained that their daughter attended the event the previous year and encouraged him to come this time, and that it was special to share the occasion with their close-knit group of friends, many of whom they’ve known for two decades and watched their children grow up with.

Quinlin also joined the celebration at the Project ALS 25th Anniversary Gala in 2023. Ben and Christine have made sure to share the causes they care about with their children. Christine, who serves on the board of directors for Project ALS, told *Us Weekly* in 2018 that it meant a lot to her that their kids would come out on a school night to have fun, get dressed up, and learn about such a wonderful organization.

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2025-10-18 02:48