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Stein Reveals Ferris Bueller Casting Secret
7 May
Summary
- Ben Stein was accidentally cast in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
- The film celebrated its 40th anniversary with a screening.
- Stein's viral speech discussed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act.
At a recent TCM Classic Film Festival screening, Ben Stein and Alan Ruck reunited for the 40th anniversary of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Stein, 81, who played the memorable economics teacher, shared that his role was unplanned. He was on set visiting a producer friend when director John Hughes overheard his distinctive voice and offered him a part.
Stein recalled Hughes' minimal direction, stating he was told to improvise. Drawing on his knowledge of tariffs, Stein delivered his iconic monotone speech about the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. This scene gained renewed attention last year as it was compared to modern tariff policies and their potential economic impacts, particularly concerning the Great Depression.
