Ben Stiller Details “Generational” Parenting “Struggle” With His Kids

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Ben Stiller is owning up to his shortfalls. 

While creating his new documentary, Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, about his parents Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, Ben Stiller shared that he and his wife, Christine Taylor, are still learning the best way to raise their children, Ella, 23, and Quinlin, 20.

As a longtime fan, it was so interesting to hear Ben talk about his kids following in his footsteps! He was on The View recently and explained how having actor children really shaped the movie he made. He talked about how common it is for these kinds of ambitions to pass down through families, and how everyone just wants to improve on what their parents did.

The creator of Severance shared that he often finds himself making decisions that feel either better or worse than those his parents made when they were alive. He explained that this internal conflict is something everyone experiences.

Ben explained that every family faces challenges. Parents often have to work, which means less time with their children, and that can be difficult.

Ben shared that his parents always struggled to balance their work and personal lives, and he noted that it’s something they consistently feel.

Meanwhile, Ben’s kids shared insight into where they feel in comparison to his Hollywood career. 

Quinlin explained to his dad in the documentary that it’s easy to overthink things when you’re stressed or having a bad day. Once you start dwelling on negative thoughts, it can be difficult to stop, which can ruin the enjoyment of a vacation, according to US Weekly.

Although he knew his father was very busy, the young man admitted it was occasionally overwhelming.

He explained that it felt like juggling many roles – director, actor, producer, writer, and father. He admitted that sometimes, being a dad seemed to get put on the back burner compared to everything else.

Ella added, “I literally can’t ever remember you being around when I was growing up.”

Later in the documentary, Ben acknowledged that his children were experiencing the same emotions he had felt as a child, something he hadn’t realized at the time.

For more on Ben’s family, 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.

Ella frequently joins her father, Ben, at industry events. Most recently, she attended the June 2023 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of the short film Let Liv, starring her mother, Christine. The family coordinated their looks with various black outfits for the occasion.

Ella has also been Ben’s date to several other premieres and events, including the 2022 Emmys, the premieres of Free Solo in 2018 and The Meyerowitz Stories in 2017, and the opening night of the Broadway show Groundhog Day.

In 2019, Ella and Ben attended the Golden Globes together to support Escape to Dannemora, a miniseries that earned Ben a nomination for directing.

Ben recently shared his experience working with his daughter, Ella, on the set of Escape to Dannemora. He told TopMob he was “very proud” of her and happy with how things went. The Zoolander actor explained that Ella treated him with a lot of respect, which he especially appreciated given the typical dynamic between a father and teenage daughter. He joked about hoping they could maintain a polite working relationship, unlike their usual interactions at home, and described the experience as very positive for both of them.

Ella has appeared in a few films, including small roles in Escape to Dannemora, Hubie Halloween, and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. Her parents have been supportive of her interest in acting. Ben mentioned in 2019 that Ella seemed eager to pursue an acting career, and Christine told Us Weekly in 2018 that she never tried to steer her daughter away from following in their footsteps. Christine explained that Ella was determined from the start, and living in New York City exposed her to a lot of inspiring performances, giving her a passion for acting that her mother didn’t try to discourage.

Ben recently shared that his daughter, Ella, had talked to him about feeling his absence during her childhood because of his work. He told Esquire that these conversations, while difficult, were important. It was especially hard because he grew up with parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, who were often away, and he’d vowed not to repeat that pattern.

Although it wasn’t easy to hear Ella express her feelings, Ben recognized the importance of acknowledging them, even as he was trying to balance his own ambitions. He clarified that Ella and her brother, Quinlin, weren’t tracking his absences; they simply missed having quality time with him.

Ben realized that children aren’t concerned with their parents’ careers. What they really want is a parent who is emotionally available and supportive – someone who’s present in their lives more than someone pursuing creative goals.

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 while teaching Ella to drive actually helped calm them both. He admitted he used to just be a fan, but now considers himself a ‘Swiftie.’ He detailed getting into Taylor’s more recent albums like Folklore and Evermore, even referencing the complex storytelling in songs like ‘Cardigan,’ ‘Betty,’ and ‘August,’ which are connected by a love triangle and inspired by Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s children. He even brought up the 10-minute version of ‘All Too Well’ from Taylor’s re-recorded album.

After appearing in the 2007 film Tropic Thunder with Ben, Christine decided to step away from acting to concentrate on raising their children. She explained in a 2010 interview with The Morning Call that becoming a mother to Ella completely changed her perspective. She felt an overwhelming amount of love and wanted to be fully present in her daughter’s life. With Ben working consistently, she felt it was important for one parent to provide stability at home. Ben later told Parade magazine in 2016 that he was grateful for Christine’s decision.

Over ten years ago, Ben and Christine decided to follow a plant-based diet and encourage their children to do the same. Christine shared with People magazine in 2012 that their kids initially reacted with disbelief when they made healthy green drinks. She playfully urged them to try it, saying, “Just join the party!”

Christine also noted that their children, Ella and Quinlin, have opposite preferences: Ella enjoys vegetables but not fruit, while Quinlin prefers fruit over vegetables. Despite this, Christine remains optimistic that her children will eventually embrace the lifestyle. She believes that, like many kids, they’ll eventually see their parents as cool and give it a try, so they’re simply planting the seeds for a healthier future.

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, speaking with Us Weekly at the time, this was Quinlin’s first event and he was enjoying himself. She explained that their daughter attended the previous year and encouraged him to come this time, and that it was special to share the event with their close-knit group of friends, many of whom they’ve known for two decades and watched their children grow up with.

As a parent, I always believe in sharing what’s important to me with my kids, and Ben and Christine are no different! They brought their children to the Project ALS 25th Anniversary Gala in 2023, and it was such a wonderful experience. Christine, who’s on the board of directors for Project ALS, told Us Weekly a few years ago that it meant so much to her that her kids could come out, even on a school night, have a little fun, get dressed up, and also learn about such an amazing organization. It’s about showing them the importance of giving back while still enjoying life’s little moments.

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2025-10-24 16:17