Ben Stiller is offering some encouraging words for comedians as they continue to navigate these “challenging” times for comedy in the wake of Donald Trump‘s second term in the White House.
The actor-director-producer behind several iconic comedies shared some advice during a recent interview with the Radio Times magazine, as he was promoting his new Apple TV documentary Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost.
“We live in a world where taking chances with comedy is more challenging,” Stiller said. “You’re seeing that front and center in our country.”
He continued, “But I think it’s important that comedians keep doing what they’re doing, speaking truth to power and being free to say what they want. That’s the most important thing.”
Stiller’s comments followed Disney’s brief suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! last month after a comment host Jimmy Kimmel made during his Sept. 15 episode drew heat online, including from FCC chair Brendan Carr. During Kimmel’s remark in question, he said, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
The Zoolander star was among many Hollywood notables who spoke out against Kimmel’s suspension, writing on X at the time, “This isn’t right.”
Stiller’s been openly critical of Trump and his administration’s policies. He also previously showed his support for Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 presidential election, even speaking during the Unite For America call last year, hosted by Oprah Winfrey.
While Stiller has pivoted to more television in recent years, specifically as an executive producer on the Emmy-winning drama Severance, it’s impossible to forget his comedy work with Zoolander, Zoolander 2 and Tropic Thunder. He’s also starred in Night at the Museum, Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers, among others.
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