Ben Stiller and his wife, Christine Taylor, recently graced the red carpet in a heartwarming family moment. The couple, known for their infrequent public appearances, attended the 25th Project ALS Anniversary event at the Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, accompanied by their 18-year-old son, Quinlin Dempsey.
After their charming red carpet photo shoot with Quinlin, the 57-year-old actor and the 52-year-old actress sat down with PEOPLE to discuss their cherished pastimes. “We relish spending quality time together as a family,” Stiller shared, while Taylor added, “We frequently engage in tennis, which is a source of enjoyment for us.”
Stiller further elaborated, saying, “We simply enjoy each other’s company, whether it’s watching movies or engaging in some lighthearted tennis matches.” Taylor chimed in, “We also love playing the game Celebrity, which is a blast. No board required, just a piece of paper to write down names.”
When asked about who is the most competitive during their family game nights, Stiller jokingly replied, “Oh, well, we all get quite into it!” Taylor added, “We do get a bit competitive at times, but it’s all in good fun. The irony is that it’s called ‘Celebrity,’ but more often than not, one of us is a ‘family member’!”
Stiller humorously pointed out, “Or even the dogs!” In pictures from the red carpet, Taylor looked stunning in a stylish black mini dress adorned with a white bow design. She complemented the outfit with black and silver heels and a bold red lip. Stiller, on the other hand, donned a navy blue suit with a tie and a white shirt, while their son looked dashing in a black suit paired with a silver-blue tie.
During their conversation with PEOPLE, the couple also discussed whether they seek their children’s opinions on their work, including their 21-year-old daughter, Ella. Stiller revealed, “Yes, our son is a tough critic when it comes to our work.”
Taylor agreed, saying, “I think they’re both discerning critics but in a constructive way.” Stiller added, “Indeed, they’re discerning critics in a positive sense. It’s intriguing to watch movies with them and see what they appreciate and what they don’t. Ella, our daughter, is a drama student and actress, so they have a keen sense of what’s good and what they like.”
In a previous red carpet appearance, Ella joined her parents at the Tribeca Film Festival for the premiere of Taylor’s short film, “Let Liv.” Stiller and Taylor, who tied the knot in 2000, separated in 2017 but decided to reconcile their marriage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March, Taylor discussed their decision to mend their relationship during an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show.” She explained, “Family was always a priority, but I think Ben and I both started to grow in different directions. And when we made the decision to separate, it was not something we wanted to talk publicly about or took lightly.”
She went on to say, “We were at an impasse, thinking, ‘Let’s figure this out—what’s best at this chapter in our lives?’ That was three or four years ago. During that time apart, we got to know ourselves better.”
Taylor emphasized that adults also experience growth spurts, saying, “I think we have these growth spurts, even as adults. And we needed time to figure that out” in the context of their relationship with Stiller.
