Ben Stiller openly reflects on one of his biggest regrets: the decision to cut his daughter, Ella Olivia Stiller, from his 2013 film, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. This candid admission comes as part of his new documentary, Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, which provides an intimate look at his parents’ enduring relationship and its impact on his own role as a father.
In the film, Ben revisits some of the challenges faced by his parents, the esteemed comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, and how their experiences shaped his family dynamics. He acknowledges his own struggles with perfectionism and how it has affected his relationships with his children, including the emotional fallout of cutting Ella from the movie, where she was meant to portray young Odessa Mitty.
In a light-hearted moment with his daughter, who is now 23 and pursuing acting, Ben admits, “I cut you out of Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It’s probably the worst decision I ever made in my life.” Ella laughs off the disappointment, stating that although she was “really scared” during filming, the cut made sense in the context of the film’s narrative.
Reflecting on his creative process, Ben reveals that the choice went beyond a mere edit, stemming from his struggles with balancing work and family life. His son Quin notes that Ben’s dedication to his craft sometimes led to a disconnect with family, echoing the pressures his parents faced as a comedy duo.
The documentary sheds light on the complexities of family life, illustrating how Ben, despite efforts to avoid repeating his parents’ challenges, found himself navigating similar territory. He shares that he went to great lengths to be present for his children, mistakenly believing he was succeeding.
Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost premiered on October 5 at the New York Film Festival and will be released in selected theaters on October 17. The documentary will also be available for streaming on Apple TV+ starting October 24. This revelation from Ben Stiller reflects a universal struggle among parents to find equilibrium between professional obligations and personal relationships, ultimately resonating with many who face similar dilemmas in their lives.