In a recent episode of the talk show hosted by Conan O’Brien, actor Ben Stiller made an appearance and shared some interesting details about his experience working on the film “Tropic Thunder” with Tom Cruise. Stiller, known for his comedic talent, revealed that Cruise had two specific requests for his character in the film.
The conversation started with O’Brien asking Stiller about their friendship, which the actor jokingly described as “treading water.” Stiller expressed his admiration for O’Brien’s work and mentioned that watching the show “Severance” was a delight for him. O’Brien took the opportunity to praise Stiller’s body of work and reminisced about the first time they met when Stiller made a memorable appearance on Saturday Night Live.
Stiller then shared a story about a short film he had made years ago, in which he portrayed a grown-up Eddie Murphy. The film, a parody of the Tom Cruise movie “Color of Money,” caught the attention of Jim Downey, a well-known writer for SNL. Downey loved the short and ensured that it made it onto the show, even though it didn’t feature any SNL cast members. This experience opened up a conversation about Stiller’s innovative approach to comedy and how he looked up to Albert Brooks for his ability to create unique content.
The discussion eventually turned to “Tropic Thunder,” a film in which Stiller and Cruise worked together. Stiller admitted that Cruise’s involvement in the film came as a result of their previous collaboration on a short film for the MTV Movie Awards. Stiller initially wanted Cruise to play his part in “Tropic Thunder,” but he was hesitant to ask him due to his busy schedule.
However, after Stiller sent Cruise the script, the actor expressed his interest in being a part of the film. Cruise even came up with the idea of playing a studio executive named Les Grossman. Stiller and his co-writer, Justin Theroux, liked the idea and decided to incorporate the character into the movie. This decision ended up changing the entire plot of “Tropic Thunder” but ultimately made it better.
Stiller also revealed that Cruise had two requests for his character: he wanted to have big thick forearms that were hairy, and he wanted Les Grossman to be portrayed as Jewish. Additionally, Cruise wanted the character to have a dancing scene. Stiller found these requests to be a bit unusual but embraced them and incorporated them into the film.
The conversation on the talk show provided viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at the collaboration between Stiller and Cruise on the set of “Tropic Thunder.” It showcased their creative process and how small details and requests can greatly impact the outcome of a film. Fans of both actors were likely intrigued by the insights Stiller shared and may now be eager to revisit “Tropic Thunder” to appreciate Cruise’s memorable portrayal of Les Grossman.
Overall, Stiller’s appearance on Conan O’Brien‘s talk show was filled with humorous anecdotes and entertaining behind-the-scenes information, making it a must-watch for fans of these talented individuals.
