Will Ferrell
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Will Ferrell | |
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![]() Ferrell in 2012 | |
Born | John William Ferrell July 16, 1967 Irvine, California,U.S. |
Education | University of Southern California(BA) |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1994-present |
Spouse |
Viveca Paulin (m.2000) |
Children | 3 |
Comedy career | |
Medium |
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Genres | |
Subject(s) |
John William Ferrell(/ˈfɛrəl/;[1]born July 16, 1967)[2][3]is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Ferrell is known for hisleading manroles in comedy films and for his work as a television producer. He has earned fiveEmmy Awardsand in 2011 was honored with theMark Twain Prize for American Humor.In 2015, he received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fameand was named the best comedian in BritishGQ.[4][5]
Ferrell first established himself in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the sketch comedy seriesSaturday Night Live,where he performed from 1995 to 2002, and has subsequently starred in a string of comedy films. After starring in the 2003 comedy filmOld School,Ferrell became considered a member of the "Frat Pack",a generation of leading Hollywood comic actors who emerged in the late 1990s and the 2000s, includingJack Black,Ben Stiller,Steve Carell,Vince Vaughn,Paul Rudd,and brothersOwenandLuke Wilson.He founded the comedy websiteFunny or Diein 2007 with his former writing partnerAdam McKay.
He starred in comedy films such asElf(2003),Anchorman(2004),Kicking & Screaming(2005),Talladega Nights(2006),Blades of Glory(2007),Step Brothers(2008),The Other Guys(2010),Get Hard(2015), andBarbie(2023). Ferrell has also taken dramatic roles inStranger than Fiction(2006),Everything Must Go(2010), andDownhill(2020). He has voiced roles inCurious George(2006),Megamind(2010),The Lego Moviefilm franchise(2014–2019) andDespicable Me 4(2024).
He has received fourPrimetime Emmy Awardsfor his work as a producer on the drama seriesSuccession(2019–2023) and for the specialsLive in Front of a Studio Audience(2019–2022). He also produced the seriesI'm Sorry(2017–2019), the seriesDead to Me(2019–2022), and the seriesDrunk History(2013–2019). For his work onBroadwayhe received aTony Awardnomination forBest Special Theatrical Eventfor his satirical portrayal asGeorge W. BushinYou're Welcome America(2009).
Early life and education
John William Ferrell was born on July 16, 1967, inIrvine, California,[2]to Betty Kay (néeOverman; born 1940), a teacher who taught at Old Mill School elementary school andSanta Ana College,[6]and Roy Lee Ferrell Jr. (born 1941), who played saxophone and keyboards forthe Righteous Brothers.[7][8]His parents were both natives ofRoanoke Rapids, North Carolina.They moved to California in 1964.[9][10]Ferrell's ancestry includes English, German, and Irish.[11][12][13]As an infant Ferrell suffered frompyloric stenosisand had a pyloromyotomy to correct the condition. He has a younger brother, Patrick.[6]
When he was eight years old, his parents divorced. Ferrell said of the divorce: "I was the type of kid who would say, 'Hey, look at the bright side! We'll have two Christmases'." The divorce was amicable, and both parents were committed to their children. The biggest problem was his father's line of work. As a person in show business, his paychecks were never steady, and he traveled from home for months at a time. Growing up in this environment made Ferrell not want to go into show business and instead have a steady job.[6]
Ferrell first attended school at Culverdale Elementary[14]and later attendedRancho San Joaquin Middle School,both in Irvine. He attendedUniversity High Schoolin Irvine, and was akickerfor the school's varsityfootballteam.[15]He was also on the soccer team and captain of the basketball team, as well as serving on the student council. Ferrell called third grade "a pivotal year." He realized he could make his classmates laugh if he pretended to smash his head against the wall, or if he tripped and fell on purpose, and said it was a great way to make friends.[16]He said the dullness of Irvine contributed to the growth of his humor:
Growing up in suburbia, in safe, master-planned Irvine, there was no drama so we had to create it in our heads. My main form of entertainment was cracking my friends up and exploring new ways of being funny. I didn't have to have the survival mode instinct like other comics, who grew up in tough neighborhoods. I had the opposite. For me, I grew up inMayberry,and the humor broke the boredom. And there was a lot to make fun of.[17]
In his senior year of high school, Ferrell and a friend would perform comedy skits over the school's intercom system, with cooperation from the principal; the two had to write their own material. Ferrell also performed comedic skits in the school's talent shows. He was voted "Best Personality" by his classmates.[18]He enrolled at theUniversity of Southern California,where he studied sports broadcasting and joined theDelta Tau Deltafraternity. In college, he was known for a few pranks. On occasion, he would dress in a janitor's outfit and stroll into his friends' classes. He was also known forstreakingaround campus with a few other people from the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.[18]Ferrell earned an internship at a local television station in the sports department, but he did not enjoy the work.[19]
After graduating with aB.A.degree in sports information in 1990, he knew he did not want to do broadcasting. He took up a job as a hotel valet where, on his second day, he tore a baggage rack off the top of a van by trying to drive it under a low beam. He also worked as a teller atWells Fargo,but came up short $300 the first day and $280 the second; he was not stealing the money, but was just careless and error-prone. In 1991, encouraged by his mother to pursue something he liked, Ferrell moved to Los Angeles. He successfully auditioned for the comedy groupThe Groundlingswhere he spent time developing hisimprovisation skills.[19]
Career
1994–2001:Saturday Night Live
Before joining The Groundlings, Ferrell's attempts at standup comedy had little success. He started in the advanced classes and grew to love improvisation. He realized he also liked to impersonate people, and one of his favorites wasHarry Caray,theHall of Famebaseball announcer. Soon he began to create original characters, and by 1994 he had joined The Groundlings. With fellow Groundlings memberChris Kattan,he created the Butabi Brothers, who go out to dance clubs to try to pick up women but are constantly rejected. While taking classes, Ferrell got a job at an auction house via his friend Viveca Paulin. The job was ideal as it was flexible enough for him to audition and go to rehearsals while also being employed. By 1995 he was receiving small roles, including appearances in TV seriesGrace Under FireandLiving Single,low-budget films such asA Bucket of Blood,as well as commercials. One winter, he served as a mall Santa Claus.[20]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/30_Rock_Saturday_Night_Live_40th_Anniversary_%2852632155330%29.jpg/220px-30_Rock_Saturday_Night_Live_40th_Anniversary_%2852632155330%29.jpg)
After SNL's decline in popularity in1994–1995,and in need of new cast members for the next season, a producer sawThe Groundlingsand asked Ferrell, Kattan, andCheri Oterito audition for SNL's main producer,Lorne Michaels.[21]Ferrell joinedSaturday Night Livein 1995 and left in 2002 after a seven-year tenure. He has hosted the show five times, thereby becoming a member of the show'sFive Timers Club.[22]
During his time onSNL,Ferrell made a name for himself with his impersonations, which included US PresidentGeorge W. Bush,Chicago CubsannouncerHarry Caray,singerRobert Goulet(crooninga cappellapieces of music bySisqó,Baha Men,andThe Notorious B.I.G.), singerNeil Diamond,Inside the Actors StudiohostJames Lipton(who favored Ferrell's impersonation), Massachusetts SenatorTed Kennedy,United States Attorney GeneralJanet Reno,convicted UnabomberTed Kaczynski,game show hostAlex Trebek,fictitious private detectiveJohn Shaft,professional wrestlerJesse Ventura,US Vice PresidentAl Gore,Iraqi PresidentSaddam Hussein,and Cuban PresidentFidel Castro.
His original characters includedMorning Latteco-host Tom Wilkins,Mister Edthe Horse's twin brother Ned, fictionalBlue Öyster Cultmember Gene Frenkle (physically modeled after the band's vocalistEric Bloom),[citation needed]music teacher Marty Culp, cheerleader Craig Buchanan, Dale Sturtevant fromDissing Your Dog,Hank of theBill BraskyBuddies, David Leary fromDog Show,angry and inattentive Dr. Beaman andnight clubberSteve Butabi in sketches that were turned into a feature film in 1998'sA Night at the Roxbury.Although a one-shot character, one of Ferrell's most memorableSNLcharacters is Dale McGrew, a "highly patriotic" office worker who comes to work wearing a half t-shirt andshort shortsthat Ferrell improvised into athongjust before the skit aired live, leading to genuine laughter from the cast and guest hostSeann William Scott.[23]Ferrell became the highest paid cast member ofSaturday Night Livein 2001 with a season salary of $350,000.[24]Ferrell returned toSaturday Night Liveas a guest host on May 14, 2005; May 16, 2009; May 12, 2012; January 27, 2018, and November 23, 2019. For the first two hosting appearances, he reprised his role as Alex Trebek in the "Celebrity Jeopardy"sketches. On the May 14 appearance, Ferrell reprised his role as Robert Goulet in a fake commercial advertising a series ofringtonesand, during the performance of the song "Little Sister"by musical guestsQueens of the Stone Age,Ferrell came on stage playing thecowbell.
2002–2010: Film stardom
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Will_Ferrell_LF_adjusted.jpg/190px-Will_Ferrell_LF_adjusted.jpg)
During his time onSaturday Night Live,Ferrell appeared in several movies:Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery(1997),A Night at the Roxbury(1998),Superstar(1999),The Ladies Man(2000),Dick(1999),Drowning Mona(2000),Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me(1999),Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back(2001), andZoolander(2001). His first starring role after his departure fromSaturday Night Livewas as Frank "The Tank" Richard inOld School(2003). The film "belongs to Mr. Ferrell," declaredThe New York Times,which described how he "uses his hilarious, anxious zealotry to sell the part."[25]Old Schoolwas a success and Ferrell received anMTV Movie Awardsnomination for Best Comedic Performance.
The title role inElf(2003) followed, as did another MTV Movie Awards nomination. Ferrell continued to land comedy roles in 2004 and 2005 in films such asMelinda and Melinda,Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,andStarsky & Hutchearning himself a place among Hollywood'sFrat Pack.[26]In 2005, Ferrell earned$40 million.[27]In 2006, Ferrell starred inStranger Than Fiction,Curious George,andTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.[28][29][30]Both received critical and box office success. Ferrell's performance inStranger Than Fictionintroduced audiences to the dramatic potential of Ferrell's acting talents, whileTalladega Nightswas his highest grossing live-action opening as of 2010 at $47 million.[31]OnDecember 27,2006,The Magazinenamed Ferrell as one of its three actors of the year in their 2006 year in review issue.[32]A sequel to Anchorman,Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues,was released in 2013.[33]
In 2008, Ferrell starred in the movieStep Brotherswith John C. Reilly. The movie also starredAdam Scott,Kathryn Hahn,Mary Steenburgen,andRichard Jenkins.It was directed by frequent Ferrell collaboratorAdam McKay,who was also a co-writer of the movie. The movie earned $128 million worldwide.[34]The film received mixed reviews but has since become acult classic.[35]Chris Hewitt ofEmpirepraised the chemistry of two leads writing, "Ferrell and Reilly are a superb double-act, Reilly's cockiness meshing well with Ferrell's puppy dog innocence. They're fine separately, but when the two are together, be it during an extended fight scene with a bunch of kids, or a demented sleepwalking sequence, the movie is a blast."[36]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Will_Ferrell_as_MegaMind_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/220px-Will_Ferrell_as_MegaMind_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg)
Ferrell is also known for his promotional appearances including acting as part of a pre-game video package for the Rose Bowl along withUniversity of Texas at AustinalumMatthew McConaughey.Ferrell sang a song at theESPY Awardsin 2006 aboutLance ArmstrongandNeil Armstrong.He and John C. Reilly performed a spot during the 2008 ESPY Awards within which they made demands in order for them to appear at the ESPYs, such as askingPortland Trail Blazers' centerGreg Odento tuck them in at night and tell them stories of the old times or to bring back the Cold War so the Olympics can be interesting again. Ferrell has worked as a voice actor in several animated television programs and films, including his portrayal of Bob Oblong, a 1950s-style father with no arms or legs, in the short-lived animated television seriesThe Oblongswhich ran onThe WBandAdult Swim.
He has had several guest appearances onFamily Guywhere he played the Black Knight in "Mr. Saturday Knight",as well as Fat Greek Guy and Miles" Chatterbox "Musket inFifteen Minutes of Shame.He had a recurring cameo role as Bitch Hunter in thesitcom30 Rock.Ferrell also starred as Ted (a.k.a.The Man in the Yellow Hat) in the filmCurious George[37]and guest voiced on an episode of the FOX sitcomKing of the Hillas apolitically correctsoccer coach. He voiced the title character in the 2010DreamWorks Animationfeature filmMegamind(replacing bothRobert Downey Jr.,who dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, andBen Stiller,who also turned down the role and was instead cast in a minor role as Bernard the curator) as well as President Business inThe Lego Movie,[38]released in 2014. He reprised the latter role inThe Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,released in 2019.[39]
Ferrell has presented numerous times at theAcademy Awards.He sang a humorous song "Get Off the Stage" withJack Blackin2004and sang a song about comedies being snubbed by the voters in favor of dramas John C. Reilly and Jack Black in2007.Ferrell made hisBroadwaydebut taking on departing U.S. PresidentGeorge W. Bushin a one-man show calledYou're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush.The show started performances onJanuary 20,2009, in previews—Bush's final day in office—at theCort Theatreand opened officially onFebruary 1.The limited engagement played throughMarch 15,2009.[40]
In May 2009, it was announced that Ferrell was in talks to star in a feature film,Neighborhood Watch(laterThe Watch), a comedy about an urbanite who moves to the suburbs and uncovers a conspiracy. In negotiations to direct wasDavid Dobkin,who gave Ferrell a cameo inWedding Crashers.[41]In August 2009, Ferrell decided not to do the film.[42] Ferrell starred in the feature filmLand of the Lost(2009). It was a commercial and critical flop, earning$19 millionon opening weekend—about two-thirds of what the studio expected.[43][44]In 2010, he was the executive producer and star ofThe Other Guys,abuddy copfilm which also has anensemble castincludingMark Wahlberg,Eva Mendes,Michael Keaton,Steve Coogan,Ray Stevenson,Samuel L. Jackson,andDwayne Johnson.The film was a commercial success earning over $140 million[45]and was positively reviewed by critics.
2011–2019: Career expansion
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Will_Ferrell_Deauville_2014.jpg/170px-Will_Ferrell_Deauville_2014.jpg)
Ferrell appeared in the 2011 music video for "Make Some Noise"by theBeastie Boys,in the front of a limo playing acowbell.He stars inCasa de Mi Padre,atelenovelaspoofcomedy set in a ranch with Mexican starsDiego LunaandGael García Bernal.The movie is told in melodramatic telenovela form and featuresEnglish-languagesubtitles.[46]He starred alongsideZach Galifianakisin the 2012 political comedyThe Campaign,which garnered mediocre reviews and grossed $104 million against a budget of $95 million.[47][48]Also in 2012, he appeared in the comedyTim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movieand starred as Armando Álvarez in the Spanish-language comedyCasa de Mi Padrewhich was directed by frequent collaboratorMatt Piedmont.[49][50]
In a 2014 poll taken as part of a commemorativeSNLfeature onGrantland,Ferrell was voted the bestSaturday Night Livecast member of all time.[51]On December 12, 2015, Ferrell appeared in the cold open of the show in character as George W. Bush.[52]He reprised this role when he returned as host in 2018.
Ferrell andRed Hot Chili PeppersdrummerChad Smith,who have had a long-running joke feud over their similar appearance appeared on the May 22, 2014 episode ofThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonfor a charity drum-off battle. Despite Smith clearly giving the better performance, Ferrell was named the winner and awarded a giant gold cowbell. Both were joined by Smith's Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates for a performance of "Don't Fear the Reaper",with Ferrell playing cowbell.[53]On June 10, 2014, Ferrell and Smith challengedMetallicadrummerLars Ulrichto a drum-off with Ferrell, saying Ulrich looks "eerily similar" to the two of them.[54]Ulrich accepted the challenge two days later.[55]
In 2015, he starred in the buddy comedyGet Hardand the comedyDaddy's Home,with the latter reuniting him andThe Other Guysco-star Mark Wahlberg.[56][57]He reprised his role, Jacobim Mugatu, in theZoolandersequel,Zoolander 2(2016).[58]He then reprised his character from Daddy's Home in the sequel,Daddy's Home 2(2017).
In 2014, Ferrell filmed a role for the comedy-dramaZeroville,based on thenovel of the same name.[59][60]The film's release was delayed until 2019.[61]Also in 2014, Ferrell signed on to portray directorRuss MeyerinRuss and Roger Go Beyond,a comedic biopic documenting the making ofBeyond the Valley of the Dolls,alongsideJosh GadasRoger Ebert.[62][63]In 2018, prior to filming, the project was cancelled due to the recent#MeToo movementand Meyer's association withsexploitation filmmaking.[63]
In February 2019, Ferrell launchedThe Ron Burgundy Podcastin collaboration with theiHeart RadioPodcast Network. The show was originally slated for two seasons of twelve episodes each.[64]In 2022, the podcast was renewed for a fifth live season.[65]In October 2019, Ferrell partnered with iHeart Radio to launch his own podcast network, the Big Money Players Network.[65]The partnership deal included 10 scripted and unscripted comedy podcasts set to be released over a two-year period.[66]
2020–present
In 2020 Ferrell starred alongsideJulia Louis-Dreyfusin the remake of the 2014 Swedish filmForce Majeure,entitledDownhillwhich was directed byNat FaxonandJim Rash.That same year he starred in the musical comedy filmEurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire SagawithRachel McAdams.In 2022 he starred in theApple TV+musical comedy filmSpiritedwithRyan Reynolds.He also served as the film's producer. The next year he played the CEO ofMattelinGreta Gerwig's comedy filmBarbie(2023) starringMargot RobbieandRyan Gosling;the same year he produced and starred in the filmQuiz Lady.
Creating and producing
In April 2007, Ferrell andAdam McKaylaunched "Funny or Die",[67]astreaming videowebsite where short comedy films are uploaded and voted on by users. One of the featured shorts,The Landlord,stars Ferrell as a man harassed for the rent by his landlady, a swearing, beer-loving, two-year-old girl, played by McKay's own daughter, Pearl. Child psychologists have criticized Ferrell and the McKay family for child exploitation,[68]to which McKay responded, "Fortunately she is in this great stage now where she repeats anything you say to her and then forgets it right away, which is key. She has not said the 'B-word' since we shot the thing."[69] They followed with the release of a video entitled "Good Cop, Baby Cop" which also starred baby Pearl;[70]the end of the video stated that this would be her final appearance and wished her a happy "baby retirement".
In September 2008, Ferrell released another video entitled "Will Ferrell Answers Internet Questions" where he takes some pressing questions and comments from his fans. Another Ferrell appearance on "Funny or Die"[67]is in the video called "Green Team", featuring also McKay andJohn C. Reilly.It shows militant ecologic activists terrorizing the crew on a filming set.
Ferrell co-produced (withAdam McKay) an HBO show starringDanny McBridecalledEastbound & Down.[71]He also had a recurring role as car dealer Ashley Schaeffer.
Ferrell was one of the executive producers ofThe Chris Gethard Show,which aired onFusionfrom 2015 to 2016 and ontruTVfrom 2017 to 2018.[72]
Ferrell is one of the executive producers ofDead to Me(2019–2022), which starsChristina ApplegateandLinda Cardellini.[73][74]
In 2019, Ferrell ended his personal and professional relationship with Adam McKay and closed their production company,Gary Sanchez Productions.It was later revealed the reason for the split was due to the fact that McKay castJohn C. ReillyasJerry Busson the showWinning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,a role that Ferrell wanted, without letting Ferrell know.[75]
Personal life
In August 2000, Ferrell married Swedish actress Viveca Paulin, whom he met in 1995 at an acting class. They live inNew York CityandOrange County, California,and have three sons, born in 2004, 2006, and 2010.[76][77][78]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Mark_Wahlberg_Will_Ferrell_San_Diego_Comic_Con_2010.jpg/220px-Mark_Wahlberg_Will_Ferrell_San_Diego_Comic_Con_2010.jpg)
At USC, Ferrell was a member ofDelta Tau Deltafraternity and is now an active alumnus. Ferrell has worked with former head coachPete Carrollto do motivational stunts for the players during the season.[15]
Ferrell has run multiple marathons, including theBoston,New York,andStockholm marathons.[79]He also raises money for charity, including his Scholarships for Cancer Survivors campaign, through amicro-donationsfundraising platform.[80][81][82]
In 2007,Autographmagazine named Ferrell the worst celebrityautographer.Its editor stated: "What's so frustrating about Will Ferrell being the worst autograph signer this past year is that he used to be so nice to fans and collectors and a great signer. What makes him so bad is that he'll taunt people asking for his autograph."[83]In response, Ferrell stated: "I don't know how I got on the list. I sign a lot of autographs." He has, however, admitted to taunting autograph-seekers: "I do. I really do. I'm like, 'How badly do you want this autograph?' 'Are you sure?' 'You say you're my biggest fan, really, prove it.' I'll do things like that. They have to earn it."[84]
Ferrell appeared on an episode ofMan vs. Wildin which he traveled throughout the tundras of Sweden with the show's host,Bear Grylls.In the episode, Ferrell came across various unique situations, such as eating the eye of areindeer.[85]
On January 7, 2016, it was announced that Ferrell would become a part-owner ofLos Angeles FC,aMajor League Soccerteam set to begin playing in 2018, as one of several celebrity co-owners of the team (includingMia HammandMagic Johnson).[86][87]
On May 12, 2017, Ferrell was awarded an honoraryD.H.L.degree by theUniversity of Southern California.[88][89]
On April 13, 2018, Ferrell was involved in a serious two-car collision in California. The SUV he was a passenger in flipped over during the crash. Ferrell was one of three passengers in the car. He was seen talking on his cellphone while being loaded into an ambulance.[90]Ferrell, along with another passenger, was unhurt in the accident; two others were injured.[91]He was released from the hospital shortly after said to be "doing fine."[92]
Political views
Ferrell is a supporter of theDemocratic Partyand in 2018,canvassedon behalf of the party in the state ofGeorgia.[93]
Ferrell had noted that, though he was well known for hisSNLimpersonation of PresidentGeorge W. Bush,he chose, for both professional and political reasons, not to meet the president on several occasions. Unlike hisSNLpredecessorDana Carvey's famous relationship withGeorge H. W. Bush,Ferrell has said: "I declined, partly out of comedic purposes, because when I was on the showSaturday Night Liveat the time, it didn't make sense to really meet the people that you play, for fear of them influencing you. And then the other side of it is, from a political standpoint, I don't want to meet that guy. "[84]
In August 2012, while inAustraliapromotingThe Campaign,Ferrell made a guest appearance on theNetwork 10live panel news/comedy showThe Project.He found himself speaking via video link to Australian Prime MinisterJulia Gillard,during which they had a light-hearted conversation about hairdressing.[94][95]
Ferrell supportedBarack Obamain the 2012 presidential election and met him (along with his wife,Michelle) in 2011.[96]
In February 2013, Ferrell endorsedEric Garcettifor mayor of Los Angeles.[97]
Sports
Baseball
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Will_Ferrell_-_%22all_my_coaching%22.jpg/180px-Will_Ferrell_-_%22all_my_coaching%22.jpg)
On May 6, 2010, at aMinor League Baseballgame atDell DiamondinRound Rock, Texas,Ferrell was introduced between innings as aVenezuelanpitcher for theRound Rock Expressnamed "Billy Ray 'RoJo' Johnson". Wearing a false mustache and carrying a bag of beer cans to the mound, Ferrell threw one pitch and wasejectedafter a staged fight and chase with an opposing batter. He revealed himself to the fans when his moustache fell off during the chase. A video of the skit wentviral.[98][99]The appearance was cooked up by Ferrell and the Express, who sent out a press release announcing Johnson's "signing" to promote a charity golf outing the following day at a nearby country club.[100]
Ferrell played in five games ofMajor League Baseballspring trainingon March 12, 2015, for ten differentCactus Leagueteams as a promotion for aFunny or Diecharity special.[101][102]He played for theArizona Diamondbacks,Los Angeles Angels,Los Angeles Dodgers,San Diego Padres,Cincinnati Reds,Oakland Athletics,Seattle Mariners,Chicago Cubs,Chicago White Sox,and theSan Francisco Giants,playing all ten positions (includingdesignated hitter). According toBaseball-Reference,Ferrell faced and retired one batter – pitching on behalf of the Dodgers and ending with a 0.00earned run average.[103]The memorabilia from his one-day professional baseball career was sold and the proceeds donated to two cancer charities. Ferrell went 0–2 with two strikeouts that day but managed to foul off a 92 mph (148 km/h) fastball from the Giants'Jean Machi.[104]
Ice Hockey
Ferrell is an avid fan of theLos Angeles Kingsof theNational Hockey League(NHL) and frequently partners with the club and attends games while seated in the front row.[105]Ferrell has produced several video messages which the Kings have aired on the jumbotron during games throughout the years.[106][107]
Ferrell has taken an active role in the Kings' fandom. During the2023 playoffsmatchups between the Kings andEdmonton Oilers,Ferrell appeared in his usual front row seats donning checkered faceprint in the Kings' colors, which circulated and drew parodies around the NHL.[106][108]
In a March 21, 2019 game between the Kings andSan Jose Sharks,Ferrell commentated the entire second period of the match on the local television broadcast in-character as Ron Burgundy.[109]For the2023–24 NHL season,Kings goaltenderCam Talbot,although himself not a member of the team at the time of the broadcast, bore a depiction of Burgundy in reference to the event.[110]
Soccer
Ferrell took part inSoccer Aid 2012.In 2016, he became a part-owner ofLos Angeles FC,which competes inMajor League Soccer.[111]When asked about why he became a co-owner Ferrell said "I don't really have a side per se until LAFC get started and that will definitely be, obviously, my team. But I just enough watching the fact that it's played all over the world. So many amazing players and so many top flight leagues. And hopefully MLS can be on par, eventually, with the European leagues."[112]
Filmography
- Saturday Night Live(1995–2002)
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery(1997)
- A Night at the Roxbury(1998)
- Superstar(1999)
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me(1999)
- Zoolander(2001)
- Old School(2003)
- Elf(2003)
- Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy(2004)
- The Producers(2005)
- Bewitched(2005)
- Kicking & Screaming(2005)
- Stranger Than Fiction(2006)
- Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby(2006)
- Curious George(2006)
- Blades of Glory(2007)
- Semi-Pro(2008)
- Step Brothers(2008)
- Land of the Lost(2009)
- Everything Must Go(2010)
- The Other Guys(2010)
- Megamind(2010)
- The Campaign(2012)
- Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues(2013)
- The Lego Movie(2014)
- Get Hard(2015)
- Daddy's Home(2015)
- Zoolander 2(2016)
- Daddy's Home 2(2017)
- Holmes & Watson(2018)
- The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part(2019)
- Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga(2020)
- Spirited(2022)
- Barbie(2023)
- Despicable Me 4(2024)
Awards and honors
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Barack_Obama_meets_with_Will_Ferrell_and_Viveca_Paulin%2C_2011.jpg/220px-Barack_Obama_meets_with_Will_Ferrell_and_Viveca_Paulin%2C_2011.jpg)
Over his career Ferrell has received various awards nominations including sixteenPrimetime Emmy Awardnominations winning three awards, one forSuccession(2020), and twice forLive in Front of a Studio Audience(2019, 2020).[113] Ferrell received twoGolden Globe Awardnominations for his comedian performances inThe Producers(2005), andStranger than Fiction(2006).[114]He also received aTony Awardnomination forBest Special Theatrical EventforYou're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush(2009).[115]
Ferrell also has received various honors including the James Joyce Award from theUniversity College Dublin'sLiterary and Historical Societyin recognition for "excelling in his field" in 2008. In 2011 he was awarded theMark Twain Prize for American Humor.Ferrell received the prize at a ceremony at theJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Artswhere he was honored by fellow comedians and collaboratorsConan O'Brien,John C. Reilly,Ben Stiller,Jack Black,Paul Rudd,Adam McKay,Tim Meadows,Matthew Broderick,andEd Asner.[116]In 2015, Ferrell received a Star on theHollywood Walk of Famefor his work in motion pictures.
In 2022,Los Angeles F.C.ofMajor League Soccer(MLS) – of which Ferrell is part owner – won theMLS Cup,thus giving him an MLS championship to his credit.[117]
References
- ^"Will Ferrell Answers Internet Questions from Will Ferrell and Jake".Funnyordie. September 17, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon October 23, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 11,2010.
- ^abRebecca Flint Marx (2014)."Will Ferrell".The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon April 6, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
- ^According to the State of California.California Birth Index, 1905–1995.Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. At Ancestry
- ^"Will Ferrell and the Mark Twain Prize ceremony: The spontaneous moments".The Washington Post.RetrievedJune 21,2023.
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{{citation}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^"MLS".
- ^"Will Ferrell – Awards and Nominations".Emmys.RetrievedApril 11,2021.
- ^"Will Ferrell – Golden Globes".goldenglobes.RetrievedApril 11,2021.
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Sources
- Abbey, Cherie D. (April 2007). "Will Ferrell 1967–".Biography Today.Vol. 16, no. 2. Omnigraphics, Inc. pp. 54–58.ISSN1058-2347.
External links
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- Will FerrellatIMDb
- Will Ferrell page on Funny Or DieArchivedAugust 27, 2018, at theWayback Machine
- Career statistics and player information fromBaseball Reference
- Will Ferrell
- 1967 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American comedians
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