Ben Stein Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Books, Career

Benjamin Jeremy Stein—widely known as Ben Stein—is an American writer, lawyer, economist, actor, comedian, and commentator whose multifaceted career spans over five decades.

He gained initial prominence as a speechwriter for Presidents Nixon and Ford before transitioning into entertainment.

Stein is best known for his deadpan delivery as the monotone economics teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and as the Emmy-winning host of Comedy Central’s Win Ben Stein’s Money.

Profile

• Full Name: Benjamin Jeremy Stein
• Stage Name: Ben Stein
• Born: November 25, 1944
• Age: 80 years old
• Birthplace: Washington, D.C., U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Writer, Lawyer, Economist, Actor, Comedian, Commentator
• Height: 5′11″ (1.80 m)
• Parents: Herbert Stein, Mildred Fishman
• Siblings: Rachel Stein
• Spouse: Alexandra Denman (m. 1977), Alexandra Denman (m. 1968–1974)
• Children: Tom Stein
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $20–25 million

Early Life and Education

Benjamin Jeremy Stein was born on November 25, 1944, in Washington, D.C., to Herbert Stein, an economist and presidential adviser, and Mildred Fishman Stein, a homemaker, and has a sister name Rachel Stein.

Raised in a Jewish household in Silver Spring, Maryland, he completed his secondary education at Montgomery Blair High School, graduating in 1962 alongside notable classmates like Goldie Hawn. Stein earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics with honors from Columbia University in 1966 and graduated as valedictorian from Yale Law School with an LL.B. in June 1970.

He is of white ethnicity and though his religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Benjamin Jeremy Stein began his professional journey as a lawyer after graduating from Yale. He worked in New Haven and Washington, D.C., as a poverty lawyer and later served as a trial lawyer at the Federal Trade Commission from 1970 to 1973. He then entered politics, working as a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford from 1973 to 1974.

Following his White House tenure, Stein transitioned into journalism, contributing to The Wall Street Journal and serving on its editorial staff, as well as writing for numerous outlets.

Benjamin Jeremy Stein expanded into academia, teaching mass culture at American University and political and civil rights at UC Santa Cruz. He later served as a professor of law and economics at Pepperdine University from 1990 to 1997.

Benjamin Jeremy Stein achieved widespread fame in entertainment, debuting on-screen in 1986 as the iconic economics teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

He embraced his deadpan persona in recurring roles on TV shows like The Wonder Years and became the voice behind popular commercials for brands such as Clear Eyes and Chips Ahoy! From 1997 to 2002, he hosted Win Ben Stein’s Money, earning multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for Best Game Show Host.

Stein also authored over 30 books on finance and politics, and remains an active columnist and commentator for outlets like The American Spectator, Newsmax, Fox News, and Yahoo! Finance.

Social Media

Ben Stein does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Benjamin Jeremy Stein married Alexandra Denman, an entertainment lawyer, in 1968. The couple divorced in 1974 but reconciled and remarried in 1977. They have an adopted son, Tommy, born in 1987.

Stein resides in Beverly Hills and Malibu, with homes also in Sandpoint, Idaho, and Washington, D.C. His personal life remains largely private.

Filmography

• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – Economics Teacher
• Win Ben Stein’s Money (1997–2002) – Host
• The Wonder Years – Recurring guest role
• The Mask (1994) – Dr. Arthur Neuman
• Son of the Mask (2005) – Dr. Arthur Neuman
• Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) – Co-writer and star
• Various TV appearances: Seinfeld, Full House, MacGyver, Star Search, Casper, Animaniacs, etc.

Net Worth

Benjamin Jeremy Stein’s net worth is estimated between $20 million and $25 million USD. This wealth stems from his public service years, legal and academic career, extensive writing and commentary, long-running game show hosting, voiceovers, commercials, acting roles in film and television, and book sales.