Ben Stein

Ben Stein
Murray State · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Ben Stein
Birth name	Benjamin Jeremy Stein
Birth date	25 November 1944
Birth place	Washington, D.C.
Occupation	Economist, lawyer, actor, commentator, writer
Years active	1967–present
Notable works	Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, The Rise of the New Right, Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Spouse	Frances Lee Zucker (m. 1967)

Ben Stein

Benjamin Jeremy Stein (born November 25, 1944) is an American economist, attorney, writer, actor, and political commentator. He has served in government and academia, written for major newspapers and magazines, appeared in Hollywood films and television, and hosted programs on television and radio. Stein's public profile spans roles in U.S. government service, corporate law, entertainment, and conservative political commentary.

Early life and education

Stein was born in Washington, D.C. to a family with roots in Brooklyn and Newark, New Jersey. He attended The Bronx High School of Science before enrolling at Yale University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree and was a member of Skull and Bones. Stein then studied at Balliol College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholarship recipient, earning a degree in philosophy. After Oxford he returned to the United States to attend New York University School of Law, where he received a law degree and began a career that bridged law and public service.

Career

Stein began his career as a lawyer and economist, working on Capitol Hill and in the Ford administration as an attorney and speechwriter for President Gerald Ford. He later joined the Office of the White House Counsel and worked on policy and legal matters during the 1970s. Leaving government, Stein practiced corporate law at firms in New York City and served as an adjunct professor at institutions including Columbia University and George Washington University. His writing appeared in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Newsweek, where he offered commentary on tax policy and fiscal matters. In the 1990s and 2000s Stein hosted television programs on networks including CBS and Fox News, and he served as a commentator on economic policy, taxation, and social issues.

Political and economic views

Stein has articulated conservative positions aligned with figures from the New Right and proponents of supply-side economics such as Milton Friedman and Arthur Laffer. He supported Republican candidates and worked with policymakers in administrations including Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush on economic messaging. Stein has advocated for lower marginal tax rates, deregulatory measures associated with Reaganomics, and reforms to Social Security and tax reform proposals debated in the U.S. Congress. His views on cultural and social policy often intersect with conservative commentators like William F. Buckley Jr. and William Kristol.

Media and entertainment appearances

Stein gained mainstream recognition through a combination of media and entertainment roles. He became known to television audiences as the monotone economics teacher and game show announcer on programs including Win Ben Stein's Money, for which he won Primetime Emmy Awards. Stein appeared in the comedy film Ferris Bueller's Day Off as an economics teacher and had roles in films such as The Mask and Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, the latter blending documentary filmmaking and debates over intelligent design and evolution. He hosted radio and television segments on networks including CNBC, MSNBC, and Fox News Channel, and wrote syndicated columns for outlets such as Parade and The New York Observer. Stein's media work connected him with entertainers and journalists like David Letterman, Jon Stewart, Bill O'Reilly, and Anderson Cooper.

Personal life

Stein married Frances Lee Zucker in 1967; they have one child. He has been resident in California and maintained ties to New York City through professional work. Stein's personal associations include friendships and working relationships with political figures such as Henry Kissinger and cultural figures from Hollywood and Washington, D.C. social circles. He has been active in charitable and civic organizations connected to institutions like Yale University and Oxford University.

Health and public controversies

Stein's public life has included debates and controversies. He was a prominent voice in the debate over the role of intelligent design in public education following his involvement in Expelled, which drew criticism from scientists at institutions including Harvard University, National Academy of Sciences, and American Association for the Advancement of Science for its portrayal of evolutionary biology. Stein has been scrutinized for his political endorsements and commentary during contested periods such as the elections involving George W. Bush and Donald Trump, eliciting responses from commentators at outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Times, and The Guardian. His health publicly drew attention when he discussed weight loss efforts and diet programs; he has also spoken about undergoing medical evaluations at hospitals including Johns Hopkins Hospital and UCLA Medical Center.

Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:American economists Category:American lawyers Category:American actors