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Who Is Will Ferrell?
Will Ferrell, born on July 16, 1967, in Irvine, California, is a prominent figure in the world of comedy and entertainment. He began his career in comedy as a member of the Los Angeles-based improv group, The Groundlings. Ferrell gained significant recognition during his seven-year tenure as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, where he established himself as a talented comedian. His film career skyrocketed with notable performances in box office hits such as Old School (2003) and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004). Additionally, he co-founded the popular video streaming site Funny or Die and lent his voice to animated films, including Megamind (2010).
Quiet Beginnings
John William Ferrell, the eldest son of Righteous Brothers keyboardist Lee Ferrell and teacher Kay Ferrell, was not the typical class clown during his formative years. Instead, he was known for being studious and reserved while attending University High School. Ferrell made his mark on the football field, setting a school record for the most field goals made. Even in his suburban upbringing, he exhibited a calm demeanor, as described by his mother, who noted, “Very even-tempered, very easygoing.” She recounted that young Will found joy in simple activities, such as lining up his Matchbox cars, often taking time to decide between playful outings or his favorite pastime.
Despite his quiet nature, a glimpse of Ferrell’s comedic talent emerged during his high school years when he would disguise his voice to deliver daily announcements over the PA system. Following his graduation in 1986, Ferrell attended the University of Southern California, where he joined the Delta Tau fraternity and pursued a degree in sports journalism.
Introduction to Comedy
After graduating in 1989, Will Ferrell’s initial foray into the television industry was not at Saturday Night Live (SNL), but as an intern in NBC’s sports department. It was here that Ferrell experienced a pivotal moment, ad-libbing an on-air joke that garnered laughter from a live audience. This incident sparked his realization about his true calling, prompting him to move back in with his parents to focus on a career in comedy. He enrolled in acting classes and secured roles in regional theater, setting the stage for his future endeavors.
Ferrell soon joined the Groundlings, a renowned improv troupe in Los Angeles that has produced notable SNL alumni such as Jon Lovitz, Phil Hartman, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte, and Kristen Wiig. During his time with the Groundlings, he honed his skills in impersonation and landed guest roles on various sitcoms, including Living Single and Grace Under Fire.
Reflecting on his comedic approach, Ferrell stated in an interview with Esquire, “What I recognized when I started doing comedy was that I’m probably not the wittiest, not the fastest on my feet, but the one thing I can guarantee is that I won’t hold anything back. It was just funnier to me, and it played funnier, when instead of just yelling at someone in a scene, you’re yelling to the point where you’re losing your voice—that one extra step. If that’s what’s called for within the context, isn’t that our job as comedians?”
In the early 1990s, while performing with the Groundlings, Ferrell attracted the attention of SNL’s founder and producer, Lorne Michaels, who was scouting for fresh talent. Ferrell was invited to audition, and after a successful initial tryout, he was called back for another round.
‘Saturday Night Live’
Ferrell recounted his audition experience, humorously noting the precedent set by Adam Sandler, who famously made Lorne Michaels laugh during his own audition. Ferrell said, “I had a briefcase full of fake money, and as Lorne starts talking, I was gonna open it and start stacking piles of money on his desk. ‘Lorne, you can say whatever you want, but we all know what really talks. And that’s cold, hard cash. Now, I’m gonna walk outta here. You can take the cash if you want. Or not.’ And then just leave and not come back.” Ultimately, it was his impersonation skills, rather than his comedic antics, that secured his position on the SNL cast.
Upon joining SNL in the fall of 1995, Ferrell entered during a turbulent period for the show. In response to a decline in ratings, Michaels opted to revamp the cast, retaining only a handful of veteran performers and introducing 14 new members, including Ferrell, Jim Breuer, Darrell Hammond, and Cheri Oteri. Within a few short years, Ferrell played a crucial role in revitalizing SNL’s viewership through his diverse array of characters and impersonations, including figures like President George W. Bush and Janet Reno. Lorne Michaels praised Ferrell in People magazine, stating, “Will is the glue that holds the show together. He’s the first choice of the writers for almost every sketch.”
Films
‘Austin Powers,’ ‘A Night at the Roxbury,’ ‘Zoolander’
In 1998, Ferrell made a memorable appearance in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery before landing a lead role in the SNL spinoff A Night at the Roxbury. Although the film did not perform well at the box office, it marked the beginning of Ferrell’s expansive film career. As his movie offers multiplied, SNL producers sought to retain their star, ultimately offering him a salary exceeding $350,000 in 2001. However, Ferrell chose to leave the show the following year.
‘Old School,’ ‘Elf’
Unlike many former cast members who left SNL with hopes of Hollywood stardom, Ferrell emerged as one of the industry’s most bankable comedic talents. His role in Old School (2003) established him further, followed by his endearing portrayal of Buddy in the Christmas classic Elf later that same year.
‘Anchorman,’ ‘Talladega Nights,’ ‘Blades of Glory’
Ferrell continued to build on his success with films such as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), and Blades of Glory (2007). This body of work positioned him within the so-called “Frat Pack,” a collective of comedic actors that included Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Steve Carell, and Owen and Luke Wilson.
‘Semi-Pro,’ ‘Step Brothers,’ ‘Megamind,’ ‘Everything Must Go’
Despite the significant success of his early film career, Ferrell faced challenges in maintaining that momentum. His films Semi-Pro and Step Brothers (both released in 2008) underperformed, and his venture into adventure with Land of the Lost (2009) was met with mixed reviews. However, he found a new avenue for his talents as a voice actor, starring as the titular villain in the animated film Megamind (2010). Two years later, he received acclaim for Everything Must Go, a comedy that allowed him to explore more dramatic aspects of his acting abilities.
Filmography Highlights
Will Ferrell returned to his comedic roots with notable roles in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013) and Zoolander 2 (2016). He made significant contributions to The Lego Movie (2014), showcasing his signature style of over-the-top humor in original characters throughout The Campaign (2012), Daddy’s Home (2015), and The House (2017). The success of Daddy’s Home led to a holiday-themed sequel in 2017, featuring veteran actors Mel Gibson and John Lithgow alongside Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, who reprised his role from the original film.
Collaborations and New Ventures
In 2018, Ferrell reunited with his Talladega Nights and Step Brothers collaborator John C. Reilly for Holmes & Watson, a project that did not resonate well with critics or audiences. Following this, he returned to voice acting in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019) and starred alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the dark comedy Downhill (2020).
Funny or Die and Creative Projects
In 2007, Ferrell co-founded Funny or Die, a streaming video platform created with writers Adam McKay and Chris Henchy, allowing viewers to vote on short clips. Two years later, he reprised his iconic Saturday Night Live impersonation of President George W. Bush in the one-man Broadway show You’re Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush. In early 2019, Ferrell further tapped into his Anchorman legacy with the launch of The Ron Burgundy Podcast.
Philanthropic Efforts and Advocacy
Ferrell’s affable and approachable nature was exemplified during the 2003 Boston Marathon, where he completed the race in just over four hours, despite being inundated by fans and fellow runners. He humorously recounted, “Kids were running next to me, snapping pictures… It was insane.” While generally private off-screen, Ferrell has not shied away from expressing his political views. His portrayal of Bush was deliberately unflattering, and he declined to meet with the President during his tenure, citing comedic integrity and personal convictions.
In 2009, he launched a line of sunscreen lotions featuring his image, with proceeds benefiting the College Willpowered Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to cancer survivors and amputees. “I’ve always dreamed of owning a lotion company,” Ferrell remarked. Additionally, in 2015, he participated in a charity event for Cancer for College, playing for ten Major League Baseball teams in a single spring training day. In 2016, he joined the ownership group of the Los Angeles Football Club, alongside sports legends Magic Johnson and Mia Hamm.
In March 2018, Ferrell publicly aligned with the #DeleteFacebook movement in response to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, expressing his concerns about the misuse of user data. He stated, “I can no longer, in good conscience, use the services of a company that allowed the spread of propaganda and directly aimed it at those most vulnerable.”
Personal Life
In August 2000, Ferrell married his longtime girlfriend, Viveca Paulin, a Swedish-born art auctioneer. Sharing a passion for dogs, the couple welcomed three canines into their home before starting their family. They have three sons: Magnus, born in March 2004; Mattias, born in December 2006; and Axel, born in January 2010. Each son carries Paulin as his middle name.