Christine Taylor has revealed how Ben Stiller pulled off a surprise proposal that mirrored his “Meet the Parents” storyline.
Taylor, 55, shared the details with the outlet at the “Focker-in-Law” premiere on Wednesday in New York City. The actress explained that Stiller, 60, was secretly preparing to pop the question in 2000 while simultaneously filming the comedy, in which his character Greg Focker also plans to propose.
“The story is simultaneous [with our lives],” Taylor said. “He was getting ready to propose to me as he was shooting. He was literally asking my dad for my hand in marriage, unbeknownst to me, so it was a little bit of life imitating art.”
“But as Ben has said before, my dad wasn’t quite as intimidating as Bob De Niro’s character!” she joked.
At the time, Taylor believed Stiller was in New York rehearsing for the film. In reality, the actor had flown to Los Angeles without her knowledge and orchestrated an elaborate surprise with her friends and family gathered at her home.
“I was driving to my house, and oh, my garage clicker isn’t working, and oh, shoot, I’ve got to park the car and go in the front door, and when I started to walk up the front steps, the door was open, rose petals were lining the rooms,” Taylor remembered.
“He had flown in; my whole family was involved. I couldn’t believe it,” she added. “I really pride myself on…it’s very hard to surprise me, let’s put it that way.”
“It was absolutely perfect in every way. It was so beautiful.”
The couple first met on set in 1999 and married the following year. They share two children, daughter Ella, 24, and son Quinn, 21, and have appeared together in multiple films including “Zoolander.”
Their relationship hit a rough patch when they separated in 2017 after 17 years of marriage. The pair later reconciled after living together during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that allowed them to rebuild their connection.
Earlier this year, Taylor opened up about the reconciliation process, explaining that they devoted significant time to working on their relationship with professional help.
“I think it’s something people don’t love to talk about because it feels like a failure,” she said of seeking therapy.
“I think it’s something people don’t love to talk about because it feels like a failure.”
The “Brady Bunch Movie” star noted that the couple ultimately “found the way back” to each other through that dedicated work.
The original “Meet the Parents” spawned two previous sequels: 2004’s “Meet the Fockers” and 2010’s “Little Fockers.” The new installment, “Focker-in-Law,” reunites original cast members Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo and Owen Wilson alongside newcomer Ariana Grande.
Other stars spotted at Wednesday’s Beacon Theatre premiere included Mike Myers, Adam Scott, Rosanna Arquette, Jon Cryer and Rachel Zegler.
“Focker-in-Law” opens in theaters on Thanksgiving.