People Question Ben Stiller's Paternity as Kids 'Look Exactly Like Their Mom'

A red carpet meant to spotlight new talent ended up stirring unexpected questions about a famous father's DNA.

On June 18, 2025, actor Ben Stiller and his wife, Christine Taylor, attended the Off-Broadway premiere of "Dilaria" in New York City, supporting their daughter Ella Stiller's professional stage debut. But what began as a family celebration quickly shifted online, where viewers questioned the physical similarities — or lack thereof — between Ben and his children.

The couple's 23-year-old daughter took center stage at DR2 Theatre, while the family, including 19-year-old son Quinn Dempsey Stiller, stepped out in coordinated attire to mark the milestone.

Ben wore a navy suit over a dark blue polo with matching pants, while Christine opted for a simple black dress and carried a bright yellow purse. Quinn followed his father's lead, wearing a dark blue suit jacket over a button-up shirt.

Ella made a bold fashion statement of her own, wearing a vivid red dress adorned with embroidered flowers, while her red hair, styled in soft waves, complemented the look.

But as photos of the night began circulating online, reactions quickly turned from fashion to facial features, with many questioning just how much of Ben's DNA was actually passed down.

One person wrote, "Ben Stiller's genes didn't even try 😮," while another commented, "Are we sure these are his kids!?!?" A third fan noted, "Kids look exactly like their mom!" One observer pointed out, "Looking at their son: he has his moms [sic] round face and cheekbones. But somehow has Jerry's [Ben's dad] facial hair."

On Reddit, a viewer wrote, "I mean this very respectfully, she resembles Jerry Stiller more than either of her parents. She has the same face shape and brows. Hopefully she also inherited some of his talent because he was a comedic genius [sic]."

In response, another person replied, "Whoa, you're so right! When I first saw the pictures I thought 'Well, hello Ben Stiller copy+paste' but no, it's actually Jerry. I think I just initially thought that because she doesn't look anything like Christine, but yeah - it's definitely Jerry Stiller (respectfully). I also think I see a hint of Anne Meara in there, too [sic]."

Another viewer added, "Ben Stiller's parents have strong genes because the kids look more like them than their parents." Over on Facebook, one viewer asked, "OK, I recognize Ben ( aka Dad ) but who are the other 2?" and another stated, "Kid looks like his grandfather."

Still, away from the questions and comparisons, Ben has been nothing but supportive of his children's creative ambitions. In a 2024 interview with E! News, he said, "Both my kids are actors and not really kids anymore…they're both really good, so it'd be fun to work with them."

He added that while they had collaborated on small projects, he hoped to work with them more in the future, and possibly even audition for their future films.

Earlier this year, Ben joined the cast of "Severance" on "The Drew Barrymore Show," where the conversation turned to parenting and show business.

When host Drew Barrymore asked if his own parents had encouraged him to pursue the arts, Ben said, "They actually kind of remind me of my kids…they had a very clear sense that they want to do it."

He explained that his parents let him explore filmmaking on his own with a Super Eight camera, holding back from pushing or stopping him from pursuing his dreams.

Now, as a parent himself, he finds he's doing the same. "Ella actually jokes with me because you think sometimes I'm like, 'Oh, it's a tough business,'" he said. "But I want to support her too, and my son Quinn…they're doing their thing and they're doing great."

While the spotlight was meant to shine on Ella's theatrical debut, the internet found its own narrative. Still, for the Stiller family, appearances aside, the evening was a celebration of talent, support, and a new generation continuing the family's creative legacy.