10 things you need to know about Ben Stiller

We bring you the facts about the star of WHILE WE’RE YOUNG

Noah Baumbach’s new film WHILE WE’RE YOUNG is released in Irish cinemas this week. The film stars Ben Stiller as Josh, a filmmaker who has been working on his new movie for several years, and has a crisis of confidence when he and his wife befriend a young couple.
To celebrate the release of Stiller’s new film, Movies.ie have gathered together some facts about the actor…

1. Early Days
One of Stiller’s first showbiz jobs was working as an intern on the Alan Thicke show THICKE OF THE NIGHT.

2. Parody
Stiller produced a short film parody of THE COLOUR OF MONEY entitled THE HUSTLER OF MONEY which got him noticed by SATURDAY NIGHT LOVE who eventually offered him a job with the show

3. Director
As well as being a prolific actor, Stiller is also a director, and coached Robert Downey Jr to an Oscar nomination for his role in TROPIC THUNDER.

4. Trekkie
Ben is a big fan of STAR TREK He named his production company ‘Red Hour Films’ after an alien riot featured in the episode STAR TREK: THE RETURN OF THE ARCHONS.

5. Tribute
Ben briefly appears in the film clip for the song ‘Tribute’ by Tenacious D. He’s one of the people walking past the studio booth in the shopping centre.

6. Super Fan
Stiller’s favourite actress of all time is Diane Keaton. He even wrote an article about her for Premiere magazine in 1997.

7. Best/Worst
Ben Stiller holds a distinct Razzie Award record; he was nominated for most titles in one year. He was nominated in 2004 for Worst Actor in five of the six films in which he appeared: ALONG CAME POLLY, ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY, DODGEBALL: A TRUE UNDERDOG STORY, ENVY and STARSKY & HUTCH. The only film he was not nominated in for that year was MEET THE FOCKERS.
Stiller lost out to George W. Bush, who won the award for appearing as himself in FARENHEIT 9/11.

8. Family Ties
Stiller’s wife, Christine Taylor, appeared in one episode of SEINFELD as Jerry Seinfeld’s girlfriend. His father, Jerry Stiller, had a recurring role on that series as George Costanza’s father.

9. Cruise Control
As well as being friends with the actor, Stiller is a big fan of Tom Cruise and has impersonated him for many years. He even portrayed Tom Cruise’s fictitious crazed stunt double, Tom Crooze, on 2000 MTV Movie Awards on a segment called MISSION: IMPROBABLE, which was later included on the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE II DVD.

10. When can I see WHILE WE’RE YOUNG?
WHILE WE’RE YOUNG is released in Irish cinemas on April 3rd 2015. Watch the trailer below…