Ben Stiller’s Documentary Explores Family Dynamics and Legacy

NEW YORK CITY, NY — Ben Stiller‘s new documentary, Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, delves into his complex family relationships, particularly with his sister, Amy Stiller. The film, which premiered in 2025, shares intimate conversations about their upbringing and the challenges of living in the shadow of their famous parents.

Both siblings were born to comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara in New York City, with Ben arriving in 1965 and Amy in 1961. While Ben’s acting career took off in the late 1980s and 1990s, Amy struggled to find her footing in the entertainment industry, often feeling overshadowed by her brother’s success.

In the documentary, Amy reflects on her journey, stating, “I had a lot of opportunities, and I just didn’t know what to do with them. I didn’t know who I was, and I look back on it and it was so painful.” Despite her initial struggles, Amy has accumulated over 50 acting credits, featuring in shows like Law & Order and Friends.

Ben acknowledges the difficulties Amy faced, describing her road to success as challenging. He noted, “She had a tough road,” and reminisced about their childhood times spent together when their parents were busy with their careers.

The documentary revisits their childhood memories, including an early talk show appearance where they performed violin. “They thought that it would be cute and I never felt they were trying to exploit us,” Ben commented. “They were just trying to be entertaining.”

Amy describes the pressures of being the eldest child of two comedy legends as daunting. “I just felt intimidated because I was the oldest. Like, I had all these expectations,” she said. She recalls that her father’s overprotectiveness often felt stifling, leaving her feeling paralyzed about seizing opportunities in her career.

Ben and Amy both candidly discuss the impact their parents’ fame had on their own identities. Ben remarked on how being children of celebrities meant “it was impossible to fail anonymously,” and Amy echoed the sentiment, reflecting on how their early exposure to show business set a high bar.

As their parents grew older, with Jerry passing away in 2020 and Anne in 2015, the siblings addressed how their family dynamic evolved. While both experienced neglect due to their parents’ demanding careers, they openly discuss how those experiences shaped their paths.

Ben’s role as a father is also explored throughout the documentary, including candid insights from his children about the emotional distance they sometimes felt during his career highs. “I literally can’t ever remember you being around when I was growing up,” his daughter Ella remarks. Ben is deeply affected by this revelation, stating, “The irony is I thought I was doing so much better than my parents.”

Stiller’s documentary is not just a look at his family but also reflects themes of parenting, identity, and the struggles many face growing up in the public eye. As the film approaches its availability on Apple TV+ on October 24, the Stiller family’s journey of honesty and reflection continues to resonate with audiences.