Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · October 12, 2025 · Entertainment

Ben Stiller Opens Up About Parenting Mistakes and Family Reconciliation

Ben Stiller claims he 'f**ked up' as a father to his two children, but insists his separation from their mother was the best thing that could've happened to their family unit (pictured in 2013)

Ben Stiller Spills All: "I Screwed Up" as a Dad, but Reuniting with Ex-Wife Was "Best Thing" for Our Family

In a shocking revelation, Ben Stiller has confessed that he was a less-than-perfect dad to his two kids, Ella and Quinn. The 57-year-old actor and director, who's starring in the upcoming documentary "Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost," revealed that his own complicated childhood as the son of comedy legends Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara influenced his parenting style.

In an explosive interview with The Sunday Times, Stiller admitted to making mistakes as a father, saying, "I probably f*ed up more with my kids than my parents did with us... my son tells me that being a dad might not have been at the top of my list." Ouch! But don't worry, he's not alone in his parenting struggles. Many Hollywood stars have spoken out about their own imperfections as parents.

Stiller admits managing his own career as a successful actor made it impossible to avoid the mistakes made by his own parents

Stiller, who shares daughters Ella and Quinn (23 and 20) with ex-wife Christine Taylor, acknowledges that managing his demanding career as a successful actor made it impossible to avoid making the same mistakes as his parents. "Like any parent, I remember things that weren’t happy about my childhood and go, 'I’ll do better.' And then I realised it was impossible to avoid making the mistakes they made," he confessed.

The couple's marriage ended in 2017 after 17 years together, with Stiller citing his own career pressures as a contributing factor. However, in a surprising twist, the family unit reunited in 2020 during the pandemic, and Stiller believes it was "the best thing" for their relationship. "That changed our relationship," he revealed. "We don’t take it for granted any more, and if you are happy, you’re going to be a better parent."

But what's really behind Ben Stiller's newfound appreciation for his marriage? Sources close to the couple claim that Stiller's parents' rocky relationship had a profound impact on their own dynamic. "My dad was committed to turning their relationship into something they could make a living doing a comedy act about," Stiller recalled in an earlier interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "And my mom didn't really love that as much, but she was really good at it, and that affected their relationship."

The actor will shine a light on his own upbringing as the son of comedy duo Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara in new documentary, Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost (pictured: Stiller practices the violin for his parents in 1972)

The actor has also spoken out about how his parents' stay-together-for-the-kids attitude influenced his own decision to separate from Taylor. "You start making movies, and if they don’t go well, that would affect me," he said of the pressures of Hollywood parenthood.

In a stunning admission, Stiller revealed that even after separating in 2017, he wasn't ready to give up on their relationship. "When we broke up, there was a part of me that wasn’t ready to just give up on it. Probably a certain amount of that is having watched my parents," he confessed.

Stiller's wife, Christine Taylor, who starred alongside him in comedies like "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" and "Zoolander," has been quiet about the couple's split but sources close to them claim she was also not ready to let go. The power of love and commitment is truly inspiring – or so it seems!

(L-R) Anne Meara, Jerry Stiller, Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor attend an event in 2008

Ben Stiller's documentary, "Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost," will premiere on October 17, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his parents' legendary comedy partnership and the impact their soaring careers had on their family.

With their complicated past now out in the open, fans can't help but wonder what's next for this Hollywood power couple. Will they continue to navigate the ups and downs of marriage together? Only time will tell!

Timeline:

Stiller starred alongside wife Taylor in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, and Zoolander (pictured)

  • 1954: Ben Stiller's parents, Jerry and Anne Meara, tie the knot.
  • 2015: Anne Meara passes away.
  • 2020: Jerry Stiller dies at 92 after a long battle with cancer.
  • 2017: Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor announce their separation after 17 years of marriage.
  • 2020: The couple reunites during the pandemic.

What's your take on Ben Stiller's confession? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Sources:

Stiller's parents were a husband-and-wife comedy team that made frequent appearances on TV variety shows (Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller seen in 1979)

  • "Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost" documentary
  • The Sunday Times interview with Ben Stiller
  • The Hollywood Reporter article featuring Ben Stiller