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Christine Taylor Once Played Marcia Brady — inside Ben Stiller’s Ex-Wife’s Life and Career
Christine Taylor remained married to Ben Stiller for 18 years before their shocking separation in 2017. Here's a look at her career and married life.
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Although breakups have become a norm among Hollywood celebrities, it still came as a surprise when Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor announced their split in 2017.
The two shared nearly two decades of marriage, had two children, and several movies together, but fate decided they weren't for each other in the end.
Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor attends the UK Premiere of "Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb" at Empire Leicester Square on December 15, 2014 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
TAYLOR'S CAREER
Pennsylvania-born Taylor first began her career on the Nickelodeon show "Hey Dude" in 1989. Six years later, she starred in "The Brady Bunch Movie" as Marcie Brady, and reprised her role in "A Very Brady Sequel."
Taylor appeared in the movies "The Craft" and "The Wedding Singer" in the '90s, before meeting Stiller on the set of "Heat Vision and Jack."
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Christine Taylor attends The 2018 Project ALS Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on October 24, 2018 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
They tied the knot in 2000 and starred in several movies, including "Zoolander," "Zoolander 2," "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story," and "Tropic Thunder."
The former couple also had the chance to share the screen in the television series "Arrested Development" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
Christine Taylor attends the 19th Annual Project ALS Benefit gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on October 25, 2017 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
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Although neither Taylor nor Stiller revealed the reason behind their split, it is reportedly because of their different schedules and busy careers.
STARTING A FAMILY WITH STILLER
Taylor and Stiller got married in an oceanfront ceremony on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, and hoped to have a long-lasting marriage like the actor's parents.
Together, they had two kids, Ella Olivia and Quinlin Dempsey, who are now teenagers. It seems Ella is bound to have a career in the same industry as her parents, given her first professional role in a film as a voice-over in "Megamind."
Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor attend the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
She, along with her brother, also appeared in her dad's film "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb" and had a minor role in "Escape at Dannemora."
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Ella is also no stranger to red carpet events as she attended the New York Film Festival and opening of "Groundhog Day" with her father in 2017 and the "Escape at Dannemora" premiere in 2018.
Christine Taylor and her children Ella Stiller and Quinlin Stiller watch as actor Ben Stiller is honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre on December 3, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Despite having separated parents, Ella and Quinlin were raised well and maintain a good relationship with both their mom and dad.
Taylor makes it a point to put her two kids on top of her priorities. As opposed to when they were little, it is much easier for the mom to go to work without worrying about her children.
Quinlin Stiller, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor and Ella Stiller attend the "Zoolander 2" World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall on February 9, 2016 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
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THE COUPLE SEPARATES AFTER 17 YEARS
Taylor and Stiller ended their marriage in 2017 and announced their split through a joint statement, which read:
"We have made the decision to separate. Our priority will continue to be raising our children as devoted parents and the closest of friends."
Although neither Taylor nor Stiller revealed the reason behind their split, it is reportedly because of their different schedules and busy careers.
Ben Stiller and wife Christine Taylor attend the "Zoolander 2" world premiere at Alice Tully Hall on February 9, 2016 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
"It gets hard -- he has a very busy Hollywood career, and she's been very focused on being a mom," a source told PEOPLE. "[Taylor] and Ben respect each other and will do anything to make sure their kids are happy."
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JERRY STILLER PASSES AWAY AT 92
Recently, Stiller's father and Emmy-award winning actor, Jerry Stiller, passed away at the age of 92. The actor confirmed the news through social media.
Ben Stiller and Jerry Stiller arrive at the HELP HAITI - Urban Zen HHRH & The Stiller Foundation Honoring Sean Penn at the Urban Zen Center At Stephan Weiss Studio on February 11, 2011 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
"I'm sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes," Stiller wrote. "He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years."
Jerry has been an actor since the '50s, starting with the production "The Silver Whistle." He later took on roles on Broadway shows like "Hurlyburly," "The Ritz," and "The Golden Apple."
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He also landed regular parts on "Joe and Sons" and "The Paul Lynde Show," and also appeared on "The King of Queens" and "Archie's Bunker's Place."
His wife, Anne Meara, passed away five years before him at the age of 85, after suffering from multiple strokes.
They were both in the same industry and appeared together on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and had their own program, "Take Five with Stiller and Meara."
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