Feature

Friday Fiver: Ben Stiller's Top Tantrums


19th September 2008

With today's release of Tropic Thunder, we figured it's high time we take a look at cinema's angriest A-lister: Ben Stiller. Cast this diminuitive chap in your movie and you've got a guaranteed ticking time-bomb of rage, just waiting to explode. Stiller's frustration has served him well, catapulting him from goofy-lookin' comedian (check out those choppers in clip #2) to one of Hollywood's most connected stars - Cruise, Smith and Downey Jr all bow down to his twitchiness. This is one guy we do like when he's angry...

5. "SORRY YOU WENT DOODY IN MY HAND!"
FRIENDS (1997, TV)
Cast as one of Rachel's many innappropriate boyfriends (life imitating art or what, right?), Stiller played it the only way he knew how: angry. Ross spends the entire episode trying to stoke his fire, but in the end, all it took was some chicken shit to send him over the edge. MAN!



4. "FATTY MAKE A FUNNY?"
DODGEBALL (2004)
Stiller spends the entire movie buff as all hell as dodgeball champ and gym owner White Goodman, so it's understandable that by the end credits, when he's put on a little weight, he'd be miffed. Hopefully squeezing his udders at the screen got it off his chest.



3. "OH, I'M A NERD? I'M A NERD?"
EXTRAS (2005, TV)
By now, Stiller had wised up to his rage-a-holic routine and was poking fun at it. Playing himself with narcissistic streak, Stiller tries his hand at directing a serious war film but soon riles the extras and is forced to recite his box-office receipts to stay alpha male on set.



2. "ARE YOU THE LITTLE GUY MAKING ALL THAT BIG NOISE? HUH?"
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY (1998)
When you've got as angry as possible at your fellow man, turn to the animals. Here, Stiller loses his rag with Cameron Diaz's puppy (although, to be fair, he started it) and ends up wrestling with it, poking it in the eye and smashing it onto the kitchen table.



1. "UH... PLEASE DON'T CORRECT ME.
IT SICKENS ME."
MYSTERY MEN (1999)
The perfect role for Stiller: a character for whom anger isn't just a bad habit or nervous tick, but the very essence of his being. Meet Mr. Furious, leader of the Mystery Men. His special power? He's easily annoyed and will direct his fury without compassion. Get out of his way, or prepare to face the mildly irritating consequences. Enjoy this compilation of the best (and worst) of Mr. Furious.



Tropic Thunder is released in the UK on Friday. Ali

Follow us on Twitter @The_Shiznit for more fun features, film reviews and occasional commentary on what the best type of crisps are.
We are using Patreon to cover our hosting fees. So please consider chucking a few digital pennies our way by clicking on this link. Thanks!

Share This