Don’t laugh, but I have Ben Stiller on the brain. He’s been hangin’ around in there for well over a week now, and I guess that means I ought to produce this little post about him. I could list a dozen of my favorite films that he’s made…talk about why I like him and think he’s handsome…discuss how I felt when I found out that Jerry Stiller (of Seinfeld fame) was Ben’s actual, real-life father (Ben…I am your father…Ok. Sorry about that!) I could let you know about how I rode past Ben’s home in the Hollywood Hills both times I visited my sister in L.A. And, no, I’m not stalking him, it just so happens that when I was there the first time, his home was pointed out to us on a Hollywood Star Tour and just this last time we happened to drive by his home en route to somewhere and I actually recognized his gate!

Today, I might just keep it short and sweet and tell you my top five favorite films of his. Besides, I think he’s got to be a pretty nice guy! I love how versatile an actor he is! How he is quite over the top when he wants to be (Zoolander; Dodgeball; Starsky and Hutch) , but then also quite humble, cute and grounded (Along Came Polly; Fockers….).

So, without any further blah-de-blah from me, here are my top five Ben Stiller films…with a little blah-de-blah thrown in about each one!

Reality Bites, 1994

This was my first knowledge of Ben. Chris and I will always remember him in this film as saying, “What’s your glitch, man?” He was so square.

Meet the Parents, 2000

This is the Ben that I like who is humble and funny…in a wonderful, but tame way!

Zoolander, 2001

And, this is the over-the-top Ben that I like. And, gosh, if I may, I will confess that I have a secret (but not anymore…!) appreciation for a little eye make-up on men. I know! I know! Don’t judge me…it must be left over from my crazy devotion to 1980s hairbands. What can I say? But Ben is an awesomely funny character here, who certainly does rock the eye-liner quite well.

Starsky and Hutch, 2004

I never watched the original Starsky and Hutch, but I love how over-the-top, hyper and high-maintenance Ben is in this film. And, something I must say about him, is that I love when he co-stars with Owen Wilson (who also hangs out in my brain a lot…but that’s for another time, perhaps!). I think they do so well together.   Of course our favorite part of this film is when he dresses up as the Texas oil tycoon and tells everyone to, “Do it. Do it.” So funny! And, I love his hair!

A Night at the Museum, 2006

I really just love film because it is Ben in his funny, sweet guy, kind of way…but it is all together a fun show to watch and, well, we see Owen Wilson again and they do so well compliment each other.

I may be a closet history buff and that might be another reason why this film appeals to me. I can dig a history museum for sure!

I would love to know what your favorite Ben Stiller films are, or which film of his do you have the earlier memories of?