Hollywood royalty throwback: Ben Stiller with his comedian dad Jerry in 1978...and they both look so much better now

He's one of the most successful actors in Hollywood, but when a just unearthed pic of Ben Stiller was taken, circa 1978, he was just a 12 year old boy going to the theatre with his comedian dad Jerry Stiller.
Sporting a cool baby blue 'Tele-bid 13' t-shirt, jeans and a bouffant bob so reminiscent of the 1970s, Ben proves that he's certainly improved with age. At age 48 he's transformed himself from a geeky kid into a handsome hunk and a huge movie star to boot.
Perhaps even more remarkable though is his father Jerry who looks better now at age 86 than he did some 40 years ago which must be due to some special Hollywood magic only he knows how to use.

Then and now: Ben and his father circa 1978 and (right) nowadays with his dad who remarkably looks almost the same some 40 years later

The Stiller father and son were in New York at the time the 1978 pic was taken to see The Gin Game on Broadway. Ben had already had his first taste of acting by this stage,
however, having made his debut at the age of ten as a guest on his mother, Anne Meara's TV series, Kate McShane.
While dad Jerry has been a comedy institution in Hollywood, and the US, for decades, and his mother a popular TV and film actress since the 1950s, son Ben is not only one of the most well-liked stars in Hollywood, he's also one of the most prolific.
He currently has four new movies that he is attached to.

Still a kid at heart: Ben went 'Avatar' style at the Academy Awards in 2010

The first of the four that will reach the big screen is Night at the Museum 3.
With Ben again in the lead role, Robin WIlliams has joined the cast as Teddy Roosevelt, Ricky Gervais has a spot as Dr McPhee and rising comedian Rebel Wilson is also along for the ride.
The sequel is still finishing filming, but due for release around Christmas time.

One of Ben's big movies from last year was The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

While We're Young is another of Ben's movie projects currently in post-production and slated for a 2015 release.

it's a comedy about a documentary filmmaker and his wife who befriend a free-spirited young couple.
Also in the cast are Adam Driver, Amanda Seyfried and Naomi Watts.

Comedy classic: 2001's Zoolander is a cult classic and the sequel planned for next year is highly anticipated by legions of fans of the original movie

Also due next year is The Penguins of Madagascar where Ben will lend his voice to the character of Alex.
The movie is, of course, a spin off of the popular Madagscar family CGI films.

Others lending their voices to the movie are Benedict Cumberbatch, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Ben starred with his wife Christine Taylor in the original Zoolander movie a year after they married

Then there's perhaps the most highly anticipated of all, Zoolander 2, where Ben will reprise his role as the ultimate male model, Derek Zoolander.
Owen Wilson is also expected to reprise his role as Derek's buddy Hansel. Director and writer for the comedy is Justin Theroux, perhaps better known as Jennifer Aniston's current other half.
Zoolamder 2 is not expected to show up on our screens until sometime in 2015,but is sure to be a hot ticket when it finally gets to work the runway...and the red carpet.


DM