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Ben Stiller Gets Into Debate About Nepotism in Hollywood on Social Media

Ben Stiller Gets Into Debate About Nepotism in Hollywood on Social Media

Ben Stiller is getting some feedback on social media.

The 55-year-old actor weighed in on nepotism in Hollywood after it was pointed out online that a bulk of the cast of the new film from Destry Spielberg, daughter of Steven Spielberg, contains the children of famous stars, including Hopper Penn.

Following a tweet thread from The Black List founder Franklin Leonard pointing it out, Ben responded with his own thoughts, calling the criticism “too easy.”

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“People, working, creating. Everyone has their path. Wish them all the best,” he said.

“Just speaking from experience, and I don’t know any of them, I would bet they all have faced challenges. Different than those with no access to the industry. Show biz as we all know is pretty rough, and ultimately is a meritocracy,” Ben Stiller continued in the debate.

“I don’t for a second doubt that they’ve all faced challenges. They’re human. I simply reject the claim that the industry is – in the short term or long term – a meritocracy. If it were, how do you explain the utter lack of diversity behind the camera? Lack of merit?” responded Franklin.

“100 percent agree. Diversity is much bigger issue. No question. And I see your point, access is access. So yes. I’m saying that untalented people don’t really last if they get a break because of who they are or know or are related to,” Ben said.

“Fundamentally disagree, and again numbers don’t lie. Based only on the exclusion of other folks, statistically speaking, roughly 1/3 of the industry has their job not because of merit, but because of other factors (who they know, colonial legacy, sexism, whatever). And we both know plenty of unqualified people who manage to stay employed for reasons other than their talent, though both of us have enough decorum not to name names,” Franklin continued.

“It’s not just access. It’s undervaluation. It’s active discrimination. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The Hollywood film C-suite is the least diverse sector in American business. Less diverse than Trump‘s cabinet.”

The debate ended with an exchange of funny GIFs, with Ben Stiller ultimately declaring with the help of The Office‘s Michael Scott: “I am dead inside.”

Many users also chimed in along the way, with some criticizing Ben for the hypocrisy of being the son of legendary comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.

Ben also made headlines for doing something funny at an awards show earlier in the year.

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Photos: Getty
Posted to: Ben Stiller, Twitter