Speech Writer, Author, Actor, TV Personality and More!

Ben Stein: America’s Most Recognized Economics Teacher and So Much More

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Ben Stein is widely known as America’s most famous economics teacher—thanks in large part to his iconic comedic role as the monotone teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. That brief scene has become the most-watched moment of economics teaching in pop culture history and is consistently ranked among the 50 most memorable scenes in movie history.

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Yet beyond the screen, Ben Stein is a deeply respected and dynamic voice on economics, politics, education, history, and motivation. Like his father, the renowned economist Herbert Stein, Ben is known not only for his insights but for his unique humor and ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and wit.

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Ben holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in economics from Columbia University, studied economics at the graduate level at Yale, and graduated from Yale Law School in 1970—where he was elected valedictorian by his classmates. His career path is one of the most diverse and accomplished in the country.

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What truly sets Ben Stein apart is his genuine commitment to making every speaking engagement a success. He brings a rare combination of intellectual depth, humor, and real-world experience to every audience—highlighting the most relevant and entertaining trends shaping today’s world.

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His professional background includes:

• Poverty lawyer serving low-income clients in New Haven

• Trade regulation attorney at the Federal Trade Commission

• Speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford (though he did not pen the phrase “I am not a crook”)

• Columnist and editorial writer for The Wall Street Journal

• Law and economics lecturer at UC Santa Cruz and Pepperdine University (both law school and undergraduate programs)

 

As an author, Ben has written or co-authored approximately 30 books—many with investment expert Phil DeMuth. Several have become New York Times bestsellers, including the groundbreaking Yes, You Can Time the Market, which applies price theory to market analysis.

 

From 2004 to 2009, Ben wrote a regular economics column for The New York Times, bringing his perspective to a broad readership.

On television, he gained a new audience as co-host (with Jimmy Kimmel) of the Emmy-winning Comedy Central game show Win Ben Stein’s Money, earning seven Emmys—including best game show host for both Stein and Kimmel. He is likely the only economist ever to win an Emmy.

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He resides in Los Angeles with his wife of 48 years, Alexandra, along with their two dogs and six cats. Ben is known for his warmth, approachability, and love for engaging with new people. He’s both a “party guy” and a serious economist—one who has long been a thoughtful critic of loose fiscal policy and overregulation in the financial sector.