Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell
John William Ferrell (born July 16, 1967) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He first rose to fame in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL), where he was known for his quirky characters and impressions. Ferrell has since gone on to star in numerous successful comedy films, including Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), Elf (2003), Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), Step Brothers (2008), and The Other Guys (2010).
Early Life and Career
Will Ferrell was born in Irvine, California, to Betty Kay (née Overman), a teacher, and Robert Lee Ferrell Jr., a musician. He has two older brothers, Patrick and Michael. Ferrell grew up in the nearby city of Tustin, where he attended Foothill High School. As a child, Ferrell was a fan of The Carol Burnett Show and Monty Python's Flying Circus, which inspired him to pursue a career in comedy.
After graduating from high school, Ferrell attended the University of Southern California (USC), where he majored in sports information. While at USC, Ferrell was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and the Trojan Marching Band. He also worked as a sports reporter for the student newspaper, The Daily Trojan.
After graduating from USC in 1990, Ferrell moved to Chicago to pursue a career in improv comedy. He joined the Second City improv troupe, where he met fellow comedians Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Adam McKay. In 1995, Ferrell was cast as a featured player on Saturday Night Live.
Saturday Night Live
Will Ferrell joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1995. He quickly became one of the show's most popular cast members, known for his quirky characters and impressions. Ferrell's most famous SNL characters include Ron Burgundy, a clueless news anchor; George W. Bush; and Robert Goulet.
Ferrell left Saturday Night Live in 2002. However, he has returned to the show several times to guest host or make cameo appearances.
Film Career
After leaving Saturday Night Live, Will Ferrell went on to star in numerous successful comedy films. His first major film role was in Old School (2003), in which he played a man who returns to college with his two friends. Ferrell then starred in the Christmas comedy Elf (2003), in which he played a human who was raised by Santa Claus.
In 2004, Ferrell starred in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, a satire of 1970s news broadcasts. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Ferrell as a leading man in comedy films.
Ferrell continued to star in successful comedies throughout the 2000s, including Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), Step Brothers (2008), and The Other Guys (2010). He also starred in the drama Stranger Than Fiction (2006), in which he played a tax accountant who discovers that he is a character in a novel.
In recent years, Ferrell has starred in a number of less successful films, including Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013), Get Hard (2015), and Holmes & Watson (2018). However, he has also had success with the animated films The Lego Movie (2014) and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019).
Personal Life
Will Ferrell is married to Viveca Paulin, a Swedish actress. They have three sons together: Magnus, Mattias, and Axel. The family lives in New York City.
Ferrell is a supporter of the Democratic Party. He has donated money to Democratic candidates and has appeared in campaign ads for the party.
Awards and Nominations
Will Ferrell has been nominated for numerous awards, including four Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Academy Awards. He has won two Primetime Emmy Awards, for his work on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock.
Legacy
Will Ferrell is one of the most successful comedians of his generation. He has starred in numerous successful comedy films and has been praised for his quirky characters and impressions. Ferrell has also been credited with helping to revive the American sketch comedy show.
