Well, this is surprising. Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor are getting a divorce after 17 years of marriage. Christine and Ben met in the 1990s!! Think about that. She was the Rita Wilson to his Tom Hanks. I’m not going to say that Christine and Ben were Hollywood’s golden couple or anything, but they were well-liked and admired among their peers and it was widely believed that they had an incredibly strong marriage. They worked together repeatedly, in film and television projects, and they have two kids together, Ella (who is 15) and Quinlin (who will be 12 in July). In announcing their split, Ben and Christine issued a joint statement:
“With tremendous love and respect for each other, and the 18 years we spent together as a couple, we have made the decision to separate,” Stiller and Taylor said. “Our priority will continue to be raising our children as devoted parents and the closest of friends. We kindly ask that the media respect our privacy at this time.”
There’s never any huge gossip about either or them, separately or together, although I’ve heard a few whispers here and there that Ben is a micromanaging control freak and he’s actually not so popular as a director because of that. But as I said, those are just whispers. I think it’s totally possible that two actors just grew apart and got sick of each other. I also think it’s possible that something more scandalous is happening. We’ll see.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I heard a whisper that he was controlling like that about her weight as well. The rumours are not not about Ben.
I heard these rumours as well. As in, they both have a shared eating disorder, and he gets anxious whenever she starts to move away from it.runours are just rumours, bit if this one is true separation is a good thing!
OH! there was a really old Lainey blind about that, I’m quite sure!
And one on CDAN, and one on Blind Gossip I think too.
There’s been a lot of chatter.
Is there something going on with the lighting or are those bruises on her face there?
No bruises. Just bad blending.
Gah! I dated that guy in my early 20s. Run Chrisine!!
Yeah there have been many items over the years that they were engaged in severely restricted eating together –with him as the prime enforcer. One item was that at one point she wanted to eat less restrictively to try and have another baby and he reacted by giving her the silent treatment. Very creepy if true. Their kids are moving into adolescence now and one can’t help but think this could be a an extremely destructive obsession for ones parent(s) to have.
Horrifying on so many levels.
It’s sad when a marriage ends, but there have been many rumors about Ben being a controlling, very unpleasant person.
And no one needs that. It’s sad to see the death of a romantic love, but that’s usually done much before the end of a marriage.
He often refers to himself in the third person, while doing normal things like eating in a restaurant wth Christine.
All I know is my friend used to work at a coffee shop near his house and said when he came in he was a nightmare. So I tend to believe the nasty stories I’ve heard about him.
Yes-anything said about him has been bad.
I have met him a few times and he’s not a very kind or nice person. His PARENTS, on the other hand were absolutely lovely, lovely people.
Always sad when a marriage ends.
Not necessarily. AS Louis C.K. says, “no good marriage ends in divorce.” My ex-husband and I grew apart, and neither of us were terribly sad to split. The man I am with now treats me like royalty, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. If I were still with my ex, it would have never happened.
Agreed, there are married couples out there that seem they would be happier if they were not together.
But the alternative is that it works out so compared to that a marriage is sad. It’s only the cased of arranged marriage or someone having hidden something terrible or later doing something terrible there was never good times really to go back to but in those cases the marriage itself was sad.
It would end if there wasnt a reason so no its not sad at all.
In fact, it is always up to people to decide whether they want to continue living together or not. They are adults.
I think it’s sad when there are kids. But an unhappy marriage isn’t good for kids to witness either.
Disagree. I’m divorcing my husband and I’m not the least bit sad. We’re still amicable but I knew absolutely I couldn’t stay married to him anymore and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
These two could have had all the privacy they wanted without making a public statement; they’re hardly Brad and Angelina. The announcement’s more of a “Hey, remember us? Pay attention, we’re doing something interesting!” Lame.
I think all couples, both big and small, issue statements. This is probably done so they can date other people without people speculating about them having affairs when they’re seen out with someone else. That’s the main reason I figure couples issue statements.
Unless there is some scandal waiting to happen and this is damage control, trying to get ahead of it. I mean if there is anything to learn from the divorce announcements this past year or so is that public announcement is a way to get ahead of shit storm to come. I hope that os not true, especialy when kids are involved, but I guess we’ll see.
Ben Stiller is still s relatively big name. They probably released a statement to get ahead of the tabloids. Not because there’s a scandal but so that the tabloids won’t say there is one. I don’t know why people assume that there must be a scandal just because there’s a divorce. Most of the time nothing happened in the marriage but the divorce proceedings get ugly.
They announced it on a Friday afternoon before a three-day holiday weekend. That’s as low-key as you can possibly get.
That’s what makes me think there is going to be some dirty dirty dirt buried around here.
There is already this much chatter about how he’s a controlling dickwad, and it was released on a Sunday night of an American long weekend.
Someone is hiding the poop.
Unfortunately that is not reality – even very minor celebs get the press/tabloids/paps sniffing around if there’s a hint of trouble. If they hadn’t released a statement the press would 100% have found out about it and gone digging and blown it into a big thing.
Idk. I liked them I guess as a couple BC I never heard much about them…not an “in your face” kinda deal. But I have also read interviews & comments about how he’s so different in person than he is in his films. He could be incredibly difficult to work with/for & rant & blow his top w the best of them (think Stanley Kubrick). And maybe it isn’t a far stretch to think that he was probably that way at home too & she’s just had enough. Idk. Kinda sucks but wish them the best going forward
I’ve heard that he still holds a grudge against Oliver Stone for not casting him in Platoon 30 years ago and Tropic Thunder was part of that. A friend’s brother has worked with him off and on over the years and has said he is very difficult.
I’ve always imagined his private persona to be exactly like that guy he played in “Friends” – the one who always screamed at other people when no one was looking? “Idiot! Little fuzzy yellow creature!… Well, I guess, we are not going out anymore. Maaaan!!”
Oh, that is so perfect it’s sad. If he really is that way in his overall life, id just wanna ask “dude, wtf do you have to be so angry about??” Then kick him in the shin & give him a reason
Tanguerita…that reference made me laugh! I really hope Frank Costanza’s son is better than this! Serenity now!
Oh that was a funny episode!
Yes I think it was an inside joke amongst the Friends writers. Later that season Christine guest starred on Friends as Ross’s girlfriend Bonnie who had a bald head that was IMO an homage to her character on The Craft.
Never knew this about Stiller, but as a film fan, I put a lot of stock in what people say about on set behavior. It shows more about character than talk show interviews or red carpet appearances.
Hanging it out at bars where the crew go is the best true hollywood experience you can have. They have the damn dirt. I’m so lucky having lots of crew friends.
She looks like a child and a grown woman at the same time.
Good description! She doesn’t age very much, does she.
Less whispers and more shouts. He’s always been known as incredibly controlling, and while he seems to be able to turn that off quite a bit with his friends he doesn’t even do much to hide the fact he’s a nightmare to live with.
Yes. I’m trying to remember what chat show he was on in which he was sitted with Owen Wilson and Penelope Cruz and they “jokingly ribbed” him for his on set tyranny. In quotes because it was so clear to anyone watching that they were both serious and that Ben was taking it very badly. His face looked like thunder.
Yes I remember that too, it was on Graham Norton – Owen Wilson & Jack Black were calling him a DIC… tator! I think he’s totally like that but still like him a lot, I think he’s funny & talented but also controlling, neurotic & with a short fuse. I’d say there’s some truth to his ”Friends” cameo and also his cameo on ”Extras”, although both exaggerated I hope!
I’ve always heard when a relationship—especially a marriage—ends, it’s because two people want to break up or give up at the same time. In other words as long as at least one person keeps fighting for the relationship there’s hope. That’s all good and well if there is love and willingness for both to continue to grow/evolve to make things work. I am going through an unofficial separation and I teeter back and forth from seeing that things can work. It’s so complicated. Love is hard.
This is not always true. I was recently left by a partner after expressing point blank that I wanted to make things work. All it takes is one person to end a relationship although it’s better if the feeling is mutual.
Yes.
Yep
Linabear, I’m sorry that happened to u. No one person can save a marriage alone. It takes two.
I am going through an unofficial separation as well. It is so hard. One week I am so mad and next week sad.
I’ve liked him in various roles but he seems, uh, difficult.
NO!!! I was just talking to my fiancé about how much I loved Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara together and that I hoped Ben and Christine would be the same, growing old and being cute together. Ugh. This makes me sad.
I happen to know some of the Italian photogs and they told me he has a side piece in Tuscany, a longtime lover he visits frequently.
And he was just photographed in Italy a day before the announcement, wasn’t he? Pizza in Naples.
Yes, exactly..
Ooh, thanks for the gossip!
You’re welcome) I wish I had more details..
ditto, excellent dirt
That’s interesting – why the paparazzi hadn’t made it public if they have known about it for years? Cheating is usually a hot topic for tabloids.
Because if you do not have decent photos to prove it no one will listen; I suppose they didn’t have any. In Italy you can’t take pictures on a private property (including villa pool or similar locations) and if you see someone (even if it’s an actor) entering a house in Tuscany it doesn’t prove anything per se.
Tabloids suppress stories all the time, for all sorts of reasons: the person might have a great lawyer; their agent/publicist might offer (ie bribe) you with exclusive coverage of another star in exchange for burying the story; they might offer another story in exchange; or the tabloid might feel it’s more profitable in the long-term to keep promoting a happy family narrative.
I thought they had a house in Italy.He talked about his Italian home in an interview about Zoolander 2 .
It is totally possible. I heard those rumours but it could be nothing.
I could have SWORN there were cheating rumors about him for years, but no one else on here seems to remember them (I may also be remembering incorrectly, but I thought of this immediately when the story broke). I’m not surprised to hear about his Tuscan lover.
In the last few years they have gone through a lot, his cancer and Anne Meara’s death. Those things can shake even the most solid of people. Sad news.
I think some of his movies are absolutely brilliant. Might be awful to work with him but if he produces on a high level and he isn’t actually abusive to anyone – ie just rants but doesn’t bully – then maybe that’s just the price to pay for really good comedy. There’s a big difference between someone having a crappy personality and being hard on everyone and someone who picks on only a few people maliciously. They’re both bad but one is far worse.
Well like I said a friend above of mine used to work in a coffee shop he frequented and apparently he’d scream at the employees every time he came in.
Over his coffee.
I don’t think working with him or being married to him would be a picnic. Also she disappeared out of the spotlight which sure might have been her choice but she could have had a huge career. She’s like the number one gif on the internet.
Sure Jan(sorry couldn’t resist)
I believe you Luca. Screaming over coffee? Ridiculous
Hadn’t there been tonnes of blinds over the years about him being a serial cheater?
Who would sleep with him? I have seen him on talk shows and he has none of the charm of his parents.
He’s rich and famous you act as if there aren’t women who lack standards when it comes to who they sleep with.
Thank you! Just wrote about this above. I could’ve sworn he cheated on her all the time.
There’s been loads of stories that got buried because this couple was so low key and didn’t seek to speak publicly about their marriage.
1 being how Christine was part of the other wives married to powerful Hollywood men. They’d lunch, shop, and meangirl any new gf of a guy within their husbands social circle.
Others buried about the separate vacations for years. This was coming for a while.
Didn’t he also admit years ago that he didn’t have much of a relationship with their kids at one point? It took his wife talking to him about it for him to realize that the parent-child relationship wouldn’t just “happen”, he had to put effort in to it? I remember this admission coming from a comedic actor, I think it was Stiller but am not sure.
I remember watching some of the outtakes of Dodge Ball, and a few of them caught looks she gave him when off the scene that made me think, “dang, she is so over him.”
I have never found him the least bit funny. His parents on the other hand were always hilarious.
When he was the shouty guy on Friends it always seemed like he wasn’t really acting, per se. I’m glad to see she’s wearing heels again.
Has he made a movie with Blake Lively or Emily Ratajkowski recently? They always seemed so solid though. I hope Ben hasn’t gone the way of many middle aged men before him, and thrown his family away for a 25 year old “model”.
He seems mean and cold as ice. My guess is that he’s patronizing and would insult others/his ex-wife/everyone in general who he didn’t regard as an ‘equal’. That pretty much means everyone besides him. Plus, he is super short, not good combined with a built-in mean streak. I totally on the other hand believe she’s pretty mean too. Probably better they split up, kids should not be exposed to that all the time.
Yeah, I don’t get a good I’ve about either of them. Just my feeling.
I’ve never heard one good thing about him or his personality, ever. With people like that, I give major side-eye to their S/Os. Truth is, she’s probably just as much of an asshole as he is. I totally believe that she’s a mean girl like someone upthread claimed.
This.
I read two blind items years ago that he was uspest that Jennifer Anniston didn’t really like or gelmwith Christine and he was so nasty to Christine (not that it was her fault). He was eager for her and Jen to become friends since he was working with her on that shitty film and also works a lot with Justin Theroux. The second Blind Item or story was that they were throwing some kind of holiday/party at their mansion and he didn’t realize the kitchen intercom was on and everyone at the party could hear him yelling at Christine while they were in the kitchen that she was embarrassing him. He has made many good films but he has always seemed like an asshole in general and an asshole husband! Christine’s career dwindled after Zoolander, unlike Judd Apatow’s wife Leslie Mann, who had like Christine had a C-list career before being cast in his first feature film, The Cable Guy, and unlike Ben, he has continued to work with his wife and she’s even blosssomed On her own merit. She is doing pretty great . Both Christine and Leslie started out doing comedic, tv roles and indie roles before marrying their husbands who ironically were best friends and co-producers early in their careers!
The intercom blind item is like a template. It’s often used and never supported as true.
And as far as bi goes… it’s bs.
If ever true and actually revealed you find the info has been out and known for days if not longer.
This I find hard to believe since Jennifer and Christine already knew each other before Along Came Polly.
Christine was on Friends and played Ross’s GF Bonnie short after Ben’s guest stint. Unless Jennifer and Christine disliked each other after that which is possible.
My friend saw him in the flesh and said he was extremely short and very orange. He is a terrible in interviews.
there was a terrific lengthy interview in the new yorker around the time of walter mitty and it confirmed for me what was always suspected: unbearable self-centered megalomaniac troll. he was so dismissive of his wife, as the mother of his children and a human being so no surprise it didn’t last.
hope she left him.
He seems like a rage monster.
Christine looks very sad and defeated. Hope she finds happiness.
Thanks for mentioning that interview @poppy. He comes across as a thoroughly miserable person in that. Unbearable and self centered, you are right.
Remember he used to be engaged to Jeanne Tripplehorn back in the mid 90s? She had a cameo in Reality Bites.
I used to nanny for kids that went to school with their kids. She was always so sweet and very attentive to the kids. She drove a mini van and we all used to think that was funny. All the other rich moms drove fancy SUVs.
That’s sweet–she sounds very down to earth.
My husband said “Now he and his friend Chris Rock can be single together.” Are those two guys close? Are they forming a 50+ Pussy Posse? Does my husband actually have celebrity gossip intuition?
Okay, if that happens, our men can get together and form their own celeb gossip and fashion show, because my man’s fashion comments are hilarious and on point.
My husband constantly tells me stuff when it hits the regular news (like weeks after it’s been on here or DListed!) and now I just give him a look and he says, “oh, you already read that on your gossip blog, right?” Cracks me up.
the fact that it was a family culture of eating disorders IS a scandalous thing.