Ben Stiller has appeared in many popular movies over the past 25 years, but Meet the Parents remains a fan favorite. The film, which stars Robert De Niro and Teri Polo, also made Stiller’s character, Greg Focker, unforgettable to audiences.
Even though it has been 25 years since Meet the Parents was released, Stiller said fans still strongly associate him with Greg Focker. He revealed that people often shout “Focker” at him in public. During an interview with Variety, the 59-year-old actor shared a humorous response to this.
“When someone yells ‘Focker!’ on the street, it doesn’t always feel respectful,” Stiller said with a laugh. He added, “Whenever I’m treated by a male nurse, I feel a connection.” This is because his character in the movie was a male nurse.
Although Stiller has built an impressive career since Meet the Parents, that role remains one of his most iconic. Interestingly, Stiller admitted he had forgotten that Jim Carrey was almost cast as Greg Focker when Steven Spielberg was initially set to direct the film, as Variety noted.
“[Jim Carrey] was going to be me? I totally forgot that,” Stiller said.
Stiller returned as Greg Focker in the 2004 sequel, Meet the Fockers, and again in the 2010 film Little Fockers. According to Variety, a fourth movie in the Meet the Parents series is currently in development, with Ariana Grande among the new cast members.
