Ben Stiller is an American comedian, actor, and film director.

Stiller is possibly best known for his roles in the films Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers, and There's Something About Mary.

Stiller wrote and appeared on Saturday Night Live as a featured performer in 1990. He went on to host and perform in a self-titled comedy sketch show on MTV and then The Ben Stiller Show on the Fox Network in 1992. The show lasted 12 episodes, but is considered by many to be one of the finest (if briefest) sketch comedy vehicles on television. The show also starred (and launched the careers of) his frequent collaborators Andy Dick, Janeane Garofalo, and Bob Odenkirk.

Stiller directed both Reality Bites and The Cable Guy, to generally mixed reviews. Another directorial effort, 2001's Zoolander was well-received, showing he could be a bankable star both behind the camera as well as in front of it.

In the parody self-help book they co-authored, Feel This Book, he and frequent co-star Janeane Garofalo claimed they briefly dated, but this is considered to be artistic license.

During much of the 1990s, he was involved with actress Jeanne Tripplehorn. In May 2000, he married Taylor, whom he met while filming a never-broadcast television pilot for Fox called Heat Vision and Jack, starring Jack Black. He and Taylor have a daughter, Ella Olivia, born April 10, 2002, though Taylor reportedly is expecting a second child with Stiller in summer 2005.

Stiller is married to Christine Taylor, a prominent actress, with whom he has a daughter.

He is the son of Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, both of whom are veteran comedians and actors.

Amy Stiller, Ben's older sister, also is an actress.

Princeton University's Class of 2005 inducted Mr. Stiller as an honorary member of the class during its "Senior Week" in April, 2005.