Ben Stiller Opens Up About His Painful Separation and Emotional Journey Back to His Wife
The 59-year-old Zoolander star and the Brady Bunch alum, now 54, first met in 1999 while working together on the unaired pilot Heat Vision and Jack. Their connection quickly grew off set, and within a year, they were married during a private oceanfront ceremony in Kauai, Hawaii.
Over the years, Stiller and Taylor became one of Hollywood’s most enduring couples, even co-starring in several films and TV shows such as Tropic Thunder, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, and Arrested Development.
“With tremendous love and respect for each other, and the 18 years we spent together as a couple, we have made the decision to separate.”
“Our priority will continue to be raising our children as devoted parents and the closest of friends. We kindly ask that the media respect our privacy at this time,” they shared in a joint statement, asking for understanding as they focused on family during that difficult time.
The film, titled Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, debuted at the New York Film Festival on October 5. It not only explores the comedic legacy of his parents but also delves into Stiller’s own reflections on family, marriage, and the lessons he learned while navigating personal struggles.
In the documentary, the actor and director reflected on how fame and work sometimes distanced him from those he loved most.
“I just felt out of balance and unhappy and kind of disconnected from my family, from my kids, and just kind of a little bit lost.”
In an earlier interview with The New York Times, Stiller revealed that the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 became an unexpected turning point for him and Taylor, giving them time and space to rebuild their relationship from the ground up.
“But I’m so grateful for it, and I think not that many people do come back together when they separate.”
Beyond his personal life, Stiller has remained outspoken about issues in the entertainment industry. He recently made headlines for defending television host Jimmy Kimmel after Disney temporarily removed Jimmy Kimmel Live! from ABC following comments made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death.
Authorities later identified the alleged shooter as 22-year-old Utah resident Tyler Robinson, following the fatal incident on September 10.
After the network’s decision to suspend Kimmel’s show, Stiller expressed his frustration online, writing: “This isn’t right.”
He also joined several other celebrities in signing an open letter organized by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), urging Disney to reinstate Kimmel and protect creative expression in the media.
Shortly after, Disney confirmed that the show would return to air, stating that the temporary suspension was only meant to “avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional time for the country.”
For Stiller, both his personal and professional choices seem rooted in empathy and loyalty — qualities that continue to define not only his career but also his enduring relationship with Taylor.
