Benjamin John "Big Ben" Healy Sr. is a main character in the Problem Child film series. He is the second main antagonist in the series and is Junior's archenemy. He is portrayed by Jack Warden in all three films and voiced by Jonathan Harris in the animated series.
Personality[]
Big Ben is the wealthy, mean and selfish father of Ben "Little Ben" Healy Jr. He hates his own son for being "too nice" and Junior, calling him "The Devil" upon their first meeting. He also hated Ben's ex-wife, Flo, calling her "the original pain in the ass." He owned his own successful sporting goods store, and he wouldn't even pass it on to his son. Big Ben ran for Mayor of Cold River, but lost due to insulting the citizens and showing his buttocks to the camera, revealing his true colors.
In the second film, Big Ben and his dog, Nippy, had to move in with Ben and Junior; he says he is on vacation and wants to spend it with Ben, but Ben discovers his father’s so-called ‘vacation’ is actually permanent. This surprises Ben, as he saw his dad on nonstop infomercials selling Big Ben franchises. Big Ben admits the franchises flopped, as he only got one franchisee (meaning Voytek in a cameo). Ben decides to take his father in, since he owes him for a good home life and bribing the dean at his college to keep him in school.
At the end of the second film, when Big Ben asks his son why he’s ignoring LaWanda in favor of Annie, Ben tells him he doesn't want to marry LaWanda, as he's found someone else (meaning Annie). When Big Ben refers to LaWanda as a gold mine, saying she is worth millions, Ben sarcastically suggests, “Dad, if you like her so much, you marry her.” Ben takes a liking to the idea, and decides to marry LaWanda himself to help him pay off his debts.
Big Ben somehow got rich again in the third film, moved into his mansion. It is unknown how he became rich again and restored his sporting goods company.
Actors[]
- Jack Warden (1-3)
- Jonathan Harris (Voice actor in the animated series)