Tom Cruise joins Ben Stiller at his hand and footprint ceremony

(3 Dec 2013) BEN STILLER LEAVES HANDPRINTS IN HOLLYWOOD
Ben Stiller left his hand and footprints in Hollywood Tuesday (3 DEC. 2013), after being introduced by buddy Tom Cruise.
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" star was also joined by Judd Apatow and Jeff Katzenberg as Stiller imprinted his hands, shoes and signature in a block of cement outside TCL Chinese Theatre.
Tom Cruise told a personal story about why he will always feel eternally grateful to Ben Stiller and his wife Christine Taylor.
"He is so generous because when I was doing 'Mission Impossible 2' I was looking to do a parody for MTV. I called up Ben (Stiller) to see if he'd help me out with it because he is such a brilliant comedian and he and Christine- Christine where are you? They are on their honeymoon and he so generously came off his honeymoon to come and help me. So first of all Christine thank you because it is something that I will never forget and I am sure you won't either."
"Tom's right," said Stiller. "We met a long time ago but we really got to know each other when we did this MTV short. And I did leave my honeymoon early. But Christine knows it was raining and there were bugs at the resort."
"I had to pay him a lot of money to show up," explained Stiller about Cruise's appearance. "His normal fee. His normal fee that he charges for these things. No it was incredible. Tom is an amazing guy and it made it very special that he was here."
Stiller's speech was touching yet very funny. The New Yorker explained why his famous parents did not attend.
"Actually my dad did want to come out here but he lives in NY and I said, 'Dad don't come out here. I don't want you to come across the country just for this,'" said Stiller. "He said, 'I really want to.' I said, 'No it's really not necessary. I don't want you to have to do it.' He said, 'No please, please let me come. I could really use the publicity.'"
The 48-year-old actor is also in the middle of a press tour for his new movie in which he starred and directed, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." The movie is based on James Thurber's beloved short story and its playful mingling of fantasy and reality.
Taking a short break from promoting his new film, Stiller flew from New York to Hollywood with his wife and two children.
"We just came in from New York last night and I just wanted to not be too jet-lagged," said Stiller. "It all happened just kind of quickly. I mean even though I knew it was coming. At 10:30 am, we had to be here at 10 am. That's an early time for an event. But I was very excited and nervous. Definitely nervous."
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" opens in theatres in the US on Dec. 25.

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