“That’s a Selling Point”: Ben Stiller Shares Unique View on Nepo Baby Criticisms

by

Ben Stiller, the well-known actor and comedian, is part of a group often called “nepo babies” – people who achieved success in Hollywood thanks to their famous parents. As the son of actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, he quickly became a comedy star, and while he’s built a successful career, the discussion about his family background has always followed him. Stiller recently shared his thoughts on being the child of famous parents and what he thinks about the often-debated “nepo baby” label that many in Hollywood face.

The actor recently talked about being called a “nepo baby” during an interview on The Howard Stern Show. He acknowledged his privileged background, explaining that both his parents were actors who started young. Growing up on film and television sets gave him an early understanding of the entertainment industry, which ultimately led to his own successful career as an actor and director.

Ben Stiller recalled his initial audition for the 1986 play, The House of Blue Leaves. He admitted he was cast more as a courtesy than because the director truly wanted him. However, he felt confident in his audition performance, believing he’d done enough to earn the role. He emphasized the importance of pursuing your passions and going after what you want. Stiller also noted that being raised around the entertainment industry exposed him to its challenges, but he still chose to pursue a career in film.

You know, it reminds me of those ‘Brat Pack’ groups from the 80s – New York Magazine came up with the term, and it just stuck. But honestly, this idea isn’t new at all. It’s always been part of how things work. Think about it like a really old, valuable violin – a Stradivarius, maybe. If it’s been passed down through generations, that adds to its worth, right? That history is a huge part of what makes it special.

I realize there are valid points about accessibility and other considerations. Personally, I believe if something is truly in your blood – if you’re passionate about it and were raised with it – you’ll still be drawn to it, even if you witnessed its difficulties growing up. I saw firsthand the stress and strain it put on my parents’ relationships, but that didn’t diminish my desire to pursue it anyway.

Ben Stiller Is Just One in a Sea of Nepo Babies


Universal Pictures

Let’s be real, everyone knows Hollywood runs on who you know. It’s always been a bit of a controversial topic, but having a famous last name definitely opens doors. I mean, even just getting in the room for an audition is way easier if you’re related to someone big – and it’s not just for actors either, it applies to pretty much any job in the industry.

Ben Stiller, Dennis Quaid, Johnny Depp, and Will Smith are just a few examples of famous families in Hollywood. While not every child of a celebrity becomes a huge star – or as skilled as their parents – having famous parents often makes it easier to get noticed. Whether it’s fair or not, the influence of these ‘nepo babies’ is clearly visible in the entertainment industry today.

Read More

2025-10-27 20:04