Determining Ben Stiller's best role is no easy task, as the prolific performer has more than a few borderline iconic characters to his name. Tony Perkis in "Heavyweights," Mr. Furious in "Mystery Men," White Goodman in "Dodgeball," Chas Tenenbaum in "The Royal Tenenbaums," Tugg Speedman in "Tropic Thunder," the titular Derek "Zoolander," and Ted Stroehmann in "There's Something About Mary" are all characters that feel synonymous with Stiller, and roles that no one else but him could pull off. And then there's Greg Focker in "Meet the Parents," a role Stiller has played in three different films, the lovable everyman who can't seem to impress his overbearing father-in-law Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro). For as much as Stiller has made a name for himself with distinctive characters like Hal the Orderly Guy in "Happy Gilmore," his genuine charm allowed him to flourish in relatable roles, with Greg arguably the best example of this.
- 5/25/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Who would have expected that Derek Zoolander himself would end up becoming one of today's most prominent dramatic storytellers? In recent years, Ben Stiller has set his comedic aspirations aside for an emphasis on prestige television. He directed the entirety of the riveting prison break miniseries "Escape at Dannemora" and the psychological thriller "Severance." If you've been paying attention, it's been clear that Stiller is a creative storyteller who knows how to surprise an audience. It's only a surprise to see the new direction in his career because he's always been making us laugh so much.
In the late 1990s, a group of comic actors known as the "Frat Pack" began to dominate mainstream comedy. While the careers of Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Steve Carrell, Jack Black, and Paul Rudd were fairly consistent, Stiller managed to mix in a variety of independent projects alongside mainstream studio films. Although...
In the late 1990s, a group of comic actors known as the "Frat Pack" began to dominate mainstream comedy. While the careers of Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Steve Carrell, Jack Black, and Paul Rudd were fairly consistent, Stiller managed to mix in a variety of independent projects alongside mainstream studio films. Although...
- 11/21/2022
- by Liam Gaughan
- Slash Film
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