Ben Stein, the actor and political commentator widely recognized for his role as the economics teacher in the 1986 film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," was recently seen in Los Angeles at the age of 81. Mentioned to have been pushed in a wheelchair by a caregiver, Stein was reportedly dressed in a coat and tie.
Early Career and Political Ties
Stein's early career included work as a speechwriter for two U.S. presidents, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. His father, Herbert Stein, held a significant role as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors in their administrations. During his time in the Nixon administration, Ben Stein was even the subject of rumors suggesting he was the informant known as "Deep Throat" during the Watergate scandal.
Hollywood Breakthrough and Diversified Career
His breakthrough in Hollywood came with the role of the monotone economics teacher in John Hughes' "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." The film's success allowed Stein to build a career in acting, including a recurring role on the sitcom "The Wonder Years" and an appearance in the 1994 comedy "The Mask" alongside Jim Carrey.
From 1997 to 2003, Stein hosted the game show "Win Ben Stein's Money" on Comedy Central, which he initially co-hosted with Jimmy Kimmel. The show featured Stein competing against contestants for a portion of the prize money.
Political Commentary and Public Stance
In recent decades, Stein has become known for his conservative political commentary. He has written for various publications, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and has appeared on radio and television. His commentary has sometimes drawn controversy, including remarks made about subprime mortgages prior to the 2008 economic crash and statements regarding race in America in 2014.
In May, Stein attended the TCM Classic Film Festival with actor Alan Ruck to commemorate the 40th anniversary of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." During an interview, he shared that he was a professional teacher when he was cast in the film. He also recounted how his ad-libbed dialogue for the economics lesson scene, which focused on the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, was inspired by a recent lecture he had given.