**Ben Stiller** (1965) is an American actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter, born into an artistic family and a prominent figure in contemporary comedy.

He is known for portraying characters who are often neurotic, clumsy, or overwhelmed by circumstances, with a distinctive mix of physical humor and satire. He achieved widespread recognition with successful comedies such as *There's Something About Mary* (1998), which established him as a romantic-comedy lead, and *Meet the Parents* (2000), where he plays the role of the embarrassed future son-in-law.

He also demonstrated his talent behind the camera, directing and starring in cult films like *Zoolander* (2001), a hilarious parody of the fashion world, and the meta-comedy *Tropic Thunder* (2008). Other iconic roles include the *Night at the Museum* series. His style is characterized by his ability to intelligently explore the neuroses of the common man with a refined visual aesthetic, often with a touch of absurdity.