Fail Better with David Duchovny

Looking Back: Ben Stiller and the Curse of the Sequel

Dec 31, 2024
Ben Stiller, the comedic genius behind classics like Zoolander, shares insightful tales from his journey in the entertainment industry. He opens up about the emotional highs and lows of filming projects like The Cable Guy and how criticism shaped his career. Stiller also reflects on the unique challenges of growing up in a comedic family and the balancing act of fatherhood and ambition. With humor and honesty, he dives into the transformative nature of failure and the importance of resilience in creative endeavors.
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ANECDOTE

Zoolander Casting

  • David Duchovny asked Ben Stiller if he remembered how they came to work together on Zoolander.
  • Stiller recounted that Duchovny's wife, Téa Leoni, was initially sent the script, but Duchovny read it and expressed interest in any role.
ANECDOTE

Liberation through Mistakes

  • During filming, Duchovny flubbed a line multiple times while trying to deliver it perfectly.
  • Stiller and Christine Taylor, both present on set, expressed relief when he finally messed up, liberating Duchovny from the pressure.
INSIGHT

Importance of Support on Set

  • Duchovny reflected on the importance of small moments of support on set, especially when starting out.
  • These moments can give actors the freedom to figure things out and reduce performance anxiety.
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