Ben Stiller: Laura Bush turned down role in ‘Zoolander 2’ orgy scene

Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson attend a London screening of “Zoolander No. 2.” (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

In the department of “it’s always worth asking,” actor Ben Stiller today revealed that he offered former first lady Laura Bush a cameo in his his new movie “Zoolander 2.”

The part that the ever-optimistic Stiller hoped she would play? A participant in an orgy, along with co-star Owen Wilson, the actor said in an interview on the “Today” show.

Yes, we get the comedic value of seeing the demure Bush in a decidedly non-Republican-family-values setting — it has a certain “librarian goes Caligula” appeal. But Bush, unlike a number of celebs who have bit roles in the comedy, wasn’t biting.

Here’s how Stiller described his dream casting:  “There is a group of people that Hansel, Owen’s character, is having a relationship with — a group of people — and I was going to ask her to be a member of that group,” Stiller told host Matt Lauer. He eventually made the ask, wisely skipping the specifics of what the part would entail.

To the shock of exactly no one, Stiller was turned down.

“She was so smart to politely say no,” Stiller admitted.

The “Today” show interview is worth a look, if only for this exchange:

“You asked Laura Bush to be a part of an orgy scene?” Lauer asks incredulously.

Stiller’s response: “You come with the hard-hitting questions, Matt Lauer.”