Hollywood actor/producer Ben Stein, known for his bit role in the classic film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” has gotten a bit grayer since he famously called roll as a teacher in that 1986 film, but he’s got the same old dry wit.

He’s funny without even trying. In the House Lounge before a news conference where Stein was pumping up his new film and advocating for state Rep. Jane Cunningham’s Emily Brooker bill, Stein stood to the side of the podium looking for one of his producers.

“Walt? … Walt? … Walt?” Unlike Bueller, Walt showed up. Stein’s film, which was shown in the Capitol rotunda last night, promotes the concept that those in academia who want to question Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, or teach intelligent design, are being discriminated against. Stein calls Darwin “brilliant” but said even the famous scientist had questions about his work. He and Cunningham say all they’re pushing is freedom.

“Nothing can be questioned about Darwin or you are in severe academic jeopardy,” Stein said. We’d like to keep the debate going.”

Standing up with Cunningham and Stein were University of Missouri-Columbia professor John Marshall and Brooker, the former Missouri State University student who sued MSU after being questioned in a Star Chamber atmoshphere by various social work professors who questioned her Christian beliefs.

Brooker settled her suit out of court, and since her complaint was made to MSU, the university has investigated its social work program and reassigned several professors. Others left on their own.

Brooker said the university administration “responded overwhelmingly positively to me” after her lawsuit. Asked at the news conference if that is an indication that no legislation is needed to guarantee academic freedom, she said she believes discrimination against Christians at MSU and other universities is still “widespread.”

Before Stein’s appearance, he was quite the hit in the Capitol hallways, stopping to take pictures with various representatives. Republicans Bob Dixon, Wayne Cooper and Jason Smith got in on the celebrity action.