Ben Stein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Stein
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Stein at Murray State University in 2011
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| Born |
Benjamin Jeremy Stein
November 25, 1944 Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Education | Columbia University (BA) Yale University (JD) |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1970–present (writer and lawyer) 1986–present (actor and comedian) |
| Television | Win Ben Stein's Money |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Alexandra Denman
(m. 1968; div. 1974)
(m. 1977) |
| Parent(s) |
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Benjamin Jeremy Stein (born November 25, 1944) is an American writer, lawyer, actor, and comedian. He is famous for his very calm, slow, and monotone way of speaking. Many people know him as the boring economics teacher in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Before he became an actor, Stein worked in politics as a speechwriter for U.S. presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. He later became a popular actor and game show host. He hosted the TV show Win Ben Stein's Money and played Dr. Arthur Neuman in the movies The Mask and Son of the Mask.
Stein also co-wrote and starred in a 2008 film called Expelled. The film presented an idea called intelligent design as an alternative to the scientific theory of evolution. Many scientists criticized the film for promoting ideas they considered unscientific.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
Stein was born in Washington, D.C. on November 25, 1944. His father, Herbert Stein, was a famous economist who also worked for President Nixon. Ben grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland.
He was a very good student. After high school, he studied economics at Columbia University and graduated with honors in 1966. Then, he went to the famous Yale Law School and graduated at the top of his class in 1970.
Career Journey
Working in Law and Politics
After law school, Stein worked as a lawyer. He also worked in politics as a speechwriter for President Richard Nixon and President Gerald Ford. He was a strong supporter of President Nixon and has often defended his actions.
For a while, Stein also taught as a professor at several universities, including American University and Pepperdine University. He taught classes on law, politics, and civil rights.
Writing for Newspapers and Magazines
Stein has written for many famous publications, including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. He often writes about politics and money. He has also co-written several popular books about investing and finance.
Becoming a Famous Actor
Ben Stein became a well-known actor because of his unique, droning voice. His most famous role was the economics teacher in the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The scene where he calls out "Bueller?... Bueller?..." is one of the most famous in movie history.
He often played serious or unemotional characters, which people found very funny. He had a recurring role as the science teacher Mr. Cantwell in the TV show The Wonder Years.
From 1997 to 2003, Stein hosted a popular game show on Comedy Central called Win Ben Stein's Money. On the show, contestants tried to answer more questions correctly than Stein to win money from his own paycheck. The show won five Daytime Emmy Awards.
What are Ben Stein's most famous roles?
Besides Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Stein has appeared in many other movies and TV shows.
- Dr. Arthur Neuman in The Mask and Son of the Mask.
- Mr. Cantwell in the TV series The Wonder Years.
- Rabbi Goldberg in the animated show Family Guy.
- The Head Pixie in the cartoon The Fairly OddParents.
- Mr. Giggles the clown in The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.
He also appeared in Ghostbusters II, Casper, and Seinfeld.
Personal Life
Stein is married to Alexandra Denman, who is also a lawyer. They first married in 1968, divorced, and then remarried in 1977. They live in Beverly Hills, California. He also has a home in Sandpoint, Idaho, and an apartment in the famous Watergate complex in Washington, D.C.
Views on Evolution
Stein is known for his views on the scientific theory of evolution. In 2008, he co-wrote and starred in a documentary called Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. In the film, he argued that the idea of intelligent design should be considered alongside evolution.
Intelligent design is the belief that life is too complex to have developed by chance and must have been created by an intelligent force. Most scientists do not consider this a scientific theory and criticized the film. The film caused a lot of debate when it was released.
Images for kids
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Stein with United States Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon R. England in 2008
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Stein (right) with Carl and Rachel Lender of Lender's Bagels in 2019
