Yes—both Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson have publicly described themselves as real-life friends. Wilson said so in 2004 while discussing their work in Starsky & Hutch, and Stiller called Wilson “one of my best friends” in 2006. Those statements establish how they described their relationship then; they do not reveal its private details today.
What Stiller and Wilson have said about their friendship
Wilson: friends in real life, too
In a February 2004 interview with The Harvard Crimson, around the release of Starsky & Hutch, Wilson reflected on the chemistry between the film’s two leads. “Hopefully the fact that we’re friends in real life helped [with our portrayal of the relationship],” he said. It is a direct statement connecting their friendship to their on-screen partnership.
Stiller: “one of my best friends”
In a November 2006 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Stiller said, “I love Owen, he’s one of my best friends; he has such a gung-ho energy.” This is a clear description of Wilson as a close friend, offered by Stiller himself.
What their public appearances and collaborations add
A March 2004 Deseret News account of the pair at the Oscars described playful teasing: Stiller wore an intentionally mismatched outfit while Wilson was formally dressed. It is a friendly public moment, but an anecdote like this is weaker evidence of a private relationship than their own statements.
#1 Best Overall
Their long-running screen partnership also comes up in later interviews. In a February 2022 WIRED Autocomplete Interview, Wilson tried to count the films he had made with Stiller. He named Meet the Parents, Night at the Museum, The Royal Tenenbaums, Starsky & Hutch, Permanent Midnight and Zoolander. The producer gave a total of 12; Wilson said he had thought it was 11. That is the count exchanged in the interview, not an independently verified total.
A 2021 Esquire profile also recounts Stiller remembering a proposed footrace around the Hollywood Reservoir with Wilson and musician Anthony Kiedis, “maybe twenty years ago.” It is a warm retrospective story, not an update about how often the actors see each other now.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the evidence can—and cannot—tell us
The strongest evidence is straightforward: Wilson called them friends in 2004, and Stiller called Wilson one of his best friends in 2006. Their collaborations and the anecdotes published later fit that picture, but they cannot establish the current state or private details of the relationship. There is no basis here to claim either that they are estranged or that they remain in regular contact.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
