Ben Stiller Reveals His Worst Parenting Mistake About Daughter Ella

Ben Stiller has opened up about his biggest career regret. The actor and director made the confession in a new documentary about his parents. The film also explores his own journey as a father and husband.

Stiller shares this personal revelation in “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost.” The project reflects on the lives and relationship of his famous parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.

Stiller’s Biggest Regret Involves His Daughter

Ben Stiller told his daughter Ella about his major career misstep. He admitted to cutting her from his 2013 film, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” Stiller called it the worst decision of his life.

Ella, now 23, had a brief cameo in the movie. She played a young version of the sister to Stiller’s main character. Her scene was ultimately removed from the final cut.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Ella has since forgiven her father. She explained that she was scared during filming. She also agreed the scene did not fit the movie’s narrative.

Work-Life Balance Struggles and Family Impact

Stiller’s children provided candid insights in the documentary. His son Quinlin, 20, discussed how his father’s work focus affected family life. He noted it was hard to pull his dad out of his own head sometimes.

Quinlin said this dynamic put a damper on family vacations. He observed his father balancing multiple professional roles. These included being a director, actor, and producer.

Ben Stiller found these admissions difficult to hear. He had tried to avoid repeating his parents’ patterns. The irony of facing similar challenges was not lost on him.

Stiller’s documentary offers a raw look at family dynamics in Hollywood. His reconciliation with Christine Taylor shows their commitment to family first. The actor’s worst decision now serves as a lesson in parenting priorities.

Thought you’d like to know-

What is the name of Ben Stiller’s new documentary?

The documentary is titled “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost.” It focuses on the relationship between his parents, comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.

How did Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor reconcile?

The couple never officially divorced after their 2017 separation. They reconciled after quarantining together with their children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Are Ben Stiller’s children pursuing acting careers?

Yes, both Ella and Quinlin Stiller are building acting careers. Ella recently appeared in “And Just Like That” and several films.

What was Ben Stiller’s “worst decision”?

He regrets cutting his daughter Ella from his film “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” He called it the biggest mistake of his life.

How did Stiller’s work affect his family life?

His children noted his work obsession sometimes impacted family time. Stiller realized he was repeating patterns he saw in his own childhood.