Skyler Gisondo, known for his role as Jimmy Olsen in James Gunn’s Superman, enlisted the help of his Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb co-stars, Ben Stiller and Robin Williams, to create a memorable promposal. The fun and heartfelt video surfaced while Gisondo was still in high school, showcasing his bold approach to asking a classmate to prom by teaming up with these comedy legends.
Ben Stiller reprised his role as Larry Daley, the museum’s night guard, and Robin Williams returned as Teddy Roosevelt in the third live-action installment of Shawn Levy’s popular Night at the Museum series. Gisondo, playing Larry’s teenage son Nick, was able to work with an impressive cast including Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais, Rebel Wilson, and Dick Van Dyke. At the time of filming, Gisondo was still a high school student but was shooting out of town, so he saw an opportunity to leverage the star power of Stiller and Williams for his prom invite.
In the promotional video, Stiller plays the role of a proud but awkward older brother, calling Gisondo a “nice Jewish boy” and joking about how well he can kiss based on “what I’ve seen.” Robin Williams adopts a high-energy, humorous approach, mimicking a Jewish mother by grabbing Gisondo’s cheeks to display his “punam,” and acting like a flamboyant director calling for dancers to join the scene. Williams’ enthusiasm showed no bounds when Gisondo sought his help. As Gisondo told The Hollywood Reporter,
“All morning, Robin was pitching more ideas, He was saying ‘Can I say this? Would it be appropriate to say this?’ You’re Robin Williams. You can say whatever you want!” —Skyler Gisondo, Actor
To top off the promposal, Gisondo added a charming surprise: his monkey co-star Crystal, famous from films like George of the Jungle and Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans. Crystal appeared holding a rose, helping to deliver the final moment. Gisondo’s date happily accepted the invitation, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
Skyler Gisondo’s Career Growth Since Night at the Museum
The promposal video captures the comedic chemistry between Gisondo, Williams, and Stiller perfectly, with Stiller occasionally suppressing laughter during Williams’ antics. Gisondo serves as the grounded young man, wearing an argyle sweater and khakis, embodying a nervous teenager while playing off the comedic energy of his co-stars. This display of self-deprecating charm and wholesomeness reflects the qualities that have helped him build a steadily rising career.
Though Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb did not achieve major commercial or critical success, it marked a crucial point for Gisondo. Following this role, he gained recognition for his performance in the Vacation remake and later appeared in acclaimed films like Booksmart and The Righteous Gemstones. He also shared the screen with Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm and worked with director Paul Thomas Anderson in the Best Picture nominee Licorice Pizza. Fans can expect a reunion with Ben Stiller in the upcoming Meet the Parents 4.
Gisondo’s role as Jimmy Olsen in James Gunn’s Superman is considered his most significant to date. This portrayal honors the character’s comic book roots by making Jimmy a charming, awkward ladies’ man, who plays a pivotal role alongside Superman. His performance has been so well-received that there’s talk of a possible Jimmy Olsen spin-off series. Despite his onscreen romance, Gisondo remains single in real life, although the idea of seeking Clark Kent’s help for his own romantic endeavors is humorously suggested.
Currently, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is available for streaming on Disney+ within the United States, allowing new audiences to enjoy the film that helped pave the way for Gisondo’s career progression.
