Benjamin “Ben” Edward Meara Stiller (born November 30, 1965) is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He graduated with the class of 1983 from Calhoun School, in New York, New York. While at Calhoun, Stiller participated in student government and was a member of the school’s newspaper staff. He became interested in filmmaking and acting as a child. After a brief stint on Saturday Night Live, Stiller co-created and starred in the sketch comedy series The Ben Stiller Show on MTV. A couple of years later, he revived the show for the network Fox. Despite low ratings and a short run, the Fox series received primarily positive reviews and won an Emmy for writing after its cancellation. Stiller’s long list of film credits include dual acting and directing roles for Reality Bites (1994), Zoolander (2001) and its sequel, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013). He is also well known for his performances in There’s Something About Mary (1998), the Meet the Parents and Night at the Museum film trilogies, and DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story (2004). In addition to holding a number of producer credits, Stiller has made guest appearances on many (primarily comedic) television shows.

Awards:

• Primetime Emmy Award, Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in The Ben Stiller Show, 1993 • Emmy Award, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program in The Ben Stiller Show, 1993 • MTV Movie Award, Best Fight in There’s Something About Mary, 1999 • MTV Movie Award, Best Comedic Performance in Meet the Parents, 2001 • MTV Movie Award, Best Villain in DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story, 2005 • MTV Generation Award, 2009