Ben Stiller on turning 60, Al Pacino in Severance, the Knicks, and film about his parents
Stiller has been very busy, writing Severance season three, finishing a documentary about his parents, prepping a World War II film and more
Ben Stiller’s phone is buzzing. Each time someone sends a text, it alerts him with the sound of actor Roy Scheider’s police chief, Brody, from Jaws, telling Robert Shaw’s Quint that his vessel, the Orca, is not big enough to deal with the great white shark he just saw popping out of the Atlantic.
Stiller apologises and silences his phone, which continues to vibrate busily on the table.
In early June, Stiller was in the thick of writing and preparing the next season of Severance, the sci-fi drama that led all TV series with 27 Emmy nominations this year. The actor, producer and director was also putting the finishing touches on a documentary about his parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.
Then there is the side “addiction”: watching the New York Knicks compete in the NBA. Stiller and his 20-year-old son, Quinlin, really got into watching the games this season, years after Quinlin tapped out because being a Knicks fan is hard.
Stiller’s wife, Christine Taylor, became equally invested. They went through the highs and lows together, which helps, Stiller says. If something is going to take over your life, you might as well make it a family affair.
Severance star Adam Scott says: “If we’re working, you always know it’s game day because Ben and [Severance actor] John Turturro will be gathered around a phone between takes. It’s deeply important. I’m actually envious of their passion.”
