Bill Pullman Gushes Over Son Lewis Pullman’s Career and Spaceballs 2

Bill Pullman is one proud father after seeing his son Lewis Pullman follow in his acting footsteps.

“I’m really amazed that he’s having very diverse choices about what movies he’s involved in,” Bill, 72, exclusively told Us Weekly while supporting Lewis, 32, at his The Testament of Ann Lee premiere in December. “And that he was very excited to be part of this one, which is an adventurous movie.”

Bill noted that films like The Testament of Ann Lee, which hit theaters on December 25, are “kind of the reason why you get to stretch and do a character you had never imagined playing.” (Lewis plays William Lee, husband of Amanda Seyfried’s Ann Lee, dubbed the female Christ by her followers during the Shaker Movement.)

The Sleepless in Seattle actor added that he was “excited to see” his son with his Yorkshire accent during the screening.

While Bill has been an actor since the ‘80s, having starred in hits like Casper and Independence Day, he said his son has his own way of doing things — and that makes him even more proud.

“He remembers things better than I do,” Bill shared. “I remember trying not to say things that will throw him off track, but he has got a strong rudder in the water himself that I think is really good.”

Bill explained that although he can “throw in some comments from time to time,” Lewis has “good instincts” so he doesn’t need much professional advice.

“I watch him with great joy, because I see him [doing his thing],” the Sinner alum gushed.

Bill added that he got to watch Lewis’ acting process in real time while filming Spaceballs 2 together.

“We just got done [with] three months in Australia, shooting a movie, Spaceballs, the sequel and he plays my son in it,” Bill teased.

Bill told Us it was a special moment getting to work with Lewis on Spaceballs 2 because the original, which premiered in 1987, was such a big part of his own career advancement.

“I did Spaceballs [as] my second movie. I was 32,” Bill recalled. “[Lewis] is 32 now. So it’s like watching myself.”

Bill, who played Lone Starr in Spaceballs alongside John Candy and Rick Moranis, revealed the movie wasn’t just special because it launched his career. He recalled that the film’s premiere in January 1987 coincided with his wedding to wife Tamara Hurwitz that same month.

“I never have forgotten when we got married,” Bill told Us, noting the two important dates being the same month has made it easy. “So I remember all the anniversaries. That may be the secret [to our relationship].”

The actor joked that he’s never in the doghouse when it comes to anniversaries because he just says, “Oh, Spaceballs, that’s right, we got married!”

Throughout Bill’s 40-year career and nearly 40-year marriage, his wife has been by his side. Together they welcomed three children: sons Lewis and Jack and daughter Maesa.

While Bill previously told Fatherly in 2021 that all three of his kids have “evolved into these people that are making their way in the world, doing what they love,” Lewis is the only one who has become an actor like him.

Lewis began acting in short films in 2013 before starring in hits like 2017’s Battle of the Sexes and 2018’s Bad Times at the El Royale. His big break, however, came in 2022 when he played Bob in Top Gun: Maverick.

Lewis has since starred on Lessons in Chemistry and Outer Range and joined the Marvel universe earlier this year in Thunderbolts*.

In June 2024 it was announced that Bill and Moranis, 72, would be reprising their roles in the upcoming Spaceballs sequel. (The original was a spoof on Star Wars.)

Lewis’ participation in the film was announced the following year, as was fellow newcomer Keke Palmer. The movie is set to hit theaters in 2027.