‘It’s really meaningful’, says Ella Stiller as she follows in Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor’s footsteps with Off-Broadway breakthrough

Ella Stiller, the 23-year-old daughter of actors Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor, is making her mark in the entertainment industry. Following in the footsteps of her mother, who confirmed her return to major film franchises like Zoolander 2 with her Off-Broadway debut in Julia Randall’s new play “Dilaria.”

According to People, the recent Juilliard School graduate plays the main character in the play, which tells the story of a wealthy young woman who becomes obsessed with the online attention her deceased classmate receives. The play began its run on June 13 at DR2 Theatre in New York City.

“It’s really meaningful,” Ella says about her relationship with her parents, explaining that their bond has grown stronger since she started pursuing acting professionally. She particularly appreciates that her parents attended all her shows at Juilliard and understands the challenges and joys of the profession.

Young actress builds on previous acting experience while pursuing theater dreams

Before her theater debut, Ella appeared in Netflix’s “Hubie Halloween” with Adam Sandler in 2020. She has also secured roles in the upcoming season of “And Just Like That…” and “Happy Gilmore 2.” Recently, she worked on “Driver’s Ed,” a new movie directed by Bobby Farrelly, starring alongside Alyssa Milano, Kumail Nanjiani, and Molly Shannon.

Theater runs deep in Ella’s family. Her father, Ben, made his Broadway debut in 1986 at Lincoln Center’s “The House of Blue Leaves” and returned to the same play in 2011. This family connection to theater has helped Ella in her career journey, as she can turn to her parents for professional advice. Her father’s diverse career, from forgotten Netflix hits to Broadway stages, provides a wealth of industry wisdom.

The young actress describes theater as “the most sacred thing” in her family, with musical theater being a particular point of connection between family members. Since graduating from Juilliard in 2024, Ella has kept busy with various industry readings and workshops for new plays.

Looking back at her progress, Ella maintains a grateful perspective. She often thinks about how proud her younger self would be of her achievements, especially when facing challenges in her career. This mindset helps her stay focused as she continues to build her presence in both theater and film, following the artistic path of her well-known parents.