“I didn’t enjoy it” — Ben Stiller reveals why he quit SNL after four episodes

On The New York Times podcast, actor Ben Stiller revealed why he left Saturday Night Live in 1989 just after four episodes as he realized live performance wasn't for him and decided to pursue filmmaking and short-form content instead.

Ben Stiller is the son of comedy legends Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, who frequently appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Ben Stiller wasn't much of a The Ed Sullivan Show fan as he was of Saturday Night Live. Stiller said,

“I wanted to be a serious director. It was more just wanting to individuate from my father, wanting to be my own person, not being into their comedy.”

Stiller, who joined SNL as a writer and a featured performer, described his short tenure as he found the show challenging. In the interview with The New York Times, he mentioned:

"I knew I couldn’t do well there because I wasn’t great at live performing. I got too nervous, I didn’t enjoy it, and I wanted to be making short films"

SNL creator Lorne Michaels reportedly said "Ben’s going to do what Ben’s going to do" despite the fact that Stiller's departure may have caused a little stir. Following his departure from SNL, he trusted his instincts and pursued his dream of directing and producing. He went on to create The Ben Stiller Show on MTV.

Looking back on his time at SNL, Stiller acknowledged that, in contrast to his mother's polished stage presence, his anxiousness made it difficult for him to succeed in live routines, Stiller went on to mention that

“My mom would have been better on that show. She knew how to work a crowd,"

and he also reflected on leaving SNL,

"Looking back, I don’t remember how I had the gumption, but I followed that instinct."

From SNL to Hollywood

This bold choice by Stiller as an actor gave the world movies like, Meet the Parents, There's Something About Mary, Madagascar, and The Night at the Museum. All hitting millions in the box office and billions combined altogether. As a producer and director, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Tropic Thunder, and Zoolander were well loved.

After all this, Stiller has a very different perspective and approach that directs his career, He said:

“I’m at this point in my life, do I really want to take this chance right now? How much do I care about what the quote unquote bad result is? You care a little less about that. The day after something doesn’t do well or if it gets bad reviews, it’s not like anything in your life has changed. It’s just how you feel. You feel embarrassed or you feel like, ‘Damn, I wanted to be the winner.’ But winning doesn’t always happen. It usually doesn’t happen. So how do you live with that?"

As the producer and the director of the popular series Severance on Apple TV+ whose second season premiers on the 17 of January 2025. Stiller has made a comeback to the spotlight. Stiller's story shows that dreams are achievable.

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