Ben Stiller experienced a sense of ‘failure’ following his split from his wife.

Ben Stiller Reflects on His Separation in New Documentary

Ben Stiller recently opened up about his feelings of inadequacy following his separation from his wife, Christine Taylor. In his new documentary, titled “Stiller & Meera: Nothing Lost,” the 59-year-old actor explores the long marriage of his parents, Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara, juxtaposing it with his own experience.

Stiller and Taylor, who were married in 2000, announced their divorce in May 2017, after being together for 17 years. In the documentary, he expresses a sense of failure during their breakup, saying, “When we broke up, my feeling was like, ‘Oh, I’m failing at this.’ Look at my parents. They’ve been married for over 50 years, which is incredible, and I can’t stand it.”

The documentary follows the story of his parents, who were renowned for their comedy duo Stiller and Meara. They made numerous appearances on iconic shows, including “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Stiller shared that he often reflected on the possible strains of balancing work and marriage, noting that when he began dating Taylor, he didn’t want to mirror his parents’ dynamic.

In their conversations about their breakup, Taylor remarked on the underlying strain from their joint careers, adding, “there was a fear from you to me about what that would look like to the outside world.” Stiller, known for films like “Tropic Thunder,” had also touched on this topic in a January 2025 interview, emphasizing that deep down, he never believed they wouldn’t find their way back to each other.

The couple spent a few years living separately but maintained their relationship. Notably, during the pandemic, they moved back in together with their children, Ella, 23, and Quinlyn, 20. Stiller recalled that it took nearly a year of cohabitation before they rekindled their romance, expressing gratitude over this unexpected opportunity for reconnection.

Taylor previously discussed their situation during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, indicating that their time apart allowed them to rediscover themselves. She also mentioned that they got engaged just months after they met, followed by a swift marriage and the arrival of their daughter.

She elaborated, “Family was always a priority, but I think Ben and I both started growing in different directions. The decision to separate wasn’t made lightly, and it was never something we wanted to keep private.”