Ben Stein is the most famous economics teacher in America. He became a cult figure for his comedic role as the droning economics teacher in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. His part is by far the most widely viewed scene of teaching economics and has been ranked as one of the 50 most famous scenes in movie history.

His nerdy appearance and dead-pan manner have made him a popular fixture on movies and TV till this day. From 1997 to 2003 he had his own game show, Win Ben Stein's Money. He also wrote many books and had articles that appeared in popular magazines and newspapers.

As noted in the disclaimer during the closing credits, prize money won by contestants is paid from a prize budget furnished by the producers of the show. Any money left over in that budget at the end of a season is given to Stein.

(CNN) -- According to his own estimation, Ben Stein was a nobody in Hollywood after playing a character role in "Ferris Buehler's Day Off." Then came a little boy named Tommy, and Stein became a dad.