One of the Worst Sequels Ever and Robin Williams’ Last Movie Made Ben Stiller One of Hollywood’s Highest-Paid Stars

Ben Stiller knew he was destined for Hollywood stardom. Growing up in the Upper East Side of New York and raised by celebrity parents, Stiller was exposed to show business at a young age. He received a film education after graduating from high school and started his career in Broadway productions.

Ben Stiller

When he transitioned from theater to film, he established himself as a comedy icon. The late 1990s saw him join a group of comedy actors known as the Frat Pack. The members included Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Jack Black, Vince Vaughn, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Will Ferrell, and Stiller himself.

Night At The Museum 2 Sent Ben Stiller At The Top Rank Of Forbes’ Highest Paid Actors

Ben Stiller became famous for his role as Larry Daley, a night security guard at the Museum of Natural History, in the 2006 fantasy comedy film Night at the Museum. It was met with commercial and critical success, earning $574 million worldwide against a budget of $110 million.

He reprised his role in two more sequels, and, as mentioned by Forbes, earned Stiller the second highest-paid actor title in 2010 from his pay-check in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009). At the time, his net worth was $53 million. In an interview with The Japan Times, Stiller shared the cultural impact of the franchise to young viewers:

“It’s been proven since the original (movie) that more young people are going to museums. I guess their curiosity has been piqued. Maybe they think they’ll find adventure there, or the glamour of the past. It is gratifying.”

Ben Stiller and Amy Adams in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Stiller noted how his role became so iconic that it influenced viewers into thinking he knows a lot about museums:

“But I get all these letters asking me about museums around the world like I’m an expert. Sometimes (I’m asked) very specific questions, like which museum has the best collection of mummy cases, etc.”

Despite the actor’s rave about the Battle of the Smithsonian, it remains one of the worst-reviewed sequels of all time. Many fans noticed how the plot did not add anything to the narrative. The film received a disappointing 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. To further fans’ dismay, Robin Williams’ President Teddy Roosevelt only appeared for a brief moment at the beginning and end of the movie.

But, this is a lighthearted watch for the whole family, and the charm of the original is carried in the sequel, so it is no wonder why it was still a smash hit. Grossing over $413 million against a production cost of $150 million, the Shawn Levy-helmed project made Ben Stiller one of Hollywood’s top-earning actors.

Night At The Museum 3 Doubled Ben Stiller’s Net Worth

Ben Stiller and Robin Williams in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

The third installment of the Night at the Museum franchise saw the return of Ben Stiller as Larry Daley. Secret of the Tomb (2014) is also Robin Williams’ final project before passing away in December of the same year.

The trilogy’s send-off movie earned less than its predecessors, grossing $363 million against a filming budget of $127 million. It was still a good box office performance despite mixed reactions from fans.

As of 2015, Stiller’s net worth recorded $120 million, making him one of Hollywood’s best comedic actors. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the Zoolander star’s current worth as of 2023 is $200 million.