Will Ferrell: The Ultimate Hollywood Best Man

Will Ferrell is an American actor, comedian, writer and producer, best known for his roles in comedy films. Ferrell first rose to fame as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, before going on to star in comedy films such as Anchorman, Elf, Blades of Glory, and Talladega Nights. Ferrell has also taken on more dramatic roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor. In addition to his acting career, Ferrell has produced several television shows and founded the comedy website Funny or Die. Ferrell has earned numerous accolades for his work, including six Emmy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Ferrell's career beginnings

John William Ferrell was born on July 16, 1967, in Irvine, California, to a teacher mother and a musician father. Ferrell's parents divorced when he was eight years old, but both remained committed to their children. Ferrell attended University High School in Irvine, where he discovered his talent for performing by making the school's morning announcements in a variety of voices. He also played varsity football and was on the soccer and basketball teams.

After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in sports broadcasting in 1990, Ferrell took up various odd jobs, including a bank teller and a hotel valet. He eventually moved to Los Angeles and joined the comedy group The Groundlings in 1991, where he developed his improvisation skills. During this time, he also took on small roles in TV sitcoms such as Grace Under Fire and Living Single, as well as low-budget films like A Bucket of Blood.

Ferrell's big break came in 1995 when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) during the show's rapid re-casting. Despite being declared the worst cast member ever during his first season, Ferrell went on to become one of the greatest SNL cast members ever, thanks to his impersonations and range of characters. During his seven-year tenure on the show, he participated in many iconic comedic sketches, including his impersonation of George W. Bush and his "more cowbell" sketch.

Ferrell's awards and accolades

Will Ferrell has had a successful career in comedy, acting, writing, and producing. He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including:

• Six Emmy Awards, including four Primetime Emmy Awards.
• The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2011.
• A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015.
• Named Best Comedian in British GQ in 2015.
• A Tony Award nomination for Best Special Theatrical Event for his satirical portrayal of George W. Bush in "You're Welcome America" (2009).
• Two Golden Globe Award nominations for his performances in "The Producers" (2005) and "Stranger than Fiction" (2006).
• Various MTV Movie & TV Awards for Best Comedic Performance, Best On-Screen Team, and Best Musical Performance.
• A Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor in 2016.
• A People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedic Movie Actor.
• A Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
• A Writers Guild of America Award.
• A Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Special Class Special.
• A Satellite Award nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical.
• A Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Combo with Nicole Kidman in "Bewitched" and "Kicking & Screaming".

Ferrell's family and early life

John William Ferrell, popularly known as Will, is an American actor, comedian, producer, and writer. Ferrell was born on July 16, 1967, in Irvine, California, to Betty Kay Overman, a teacher, and Roy Lee Ferrell Jr., a musician. Ferrell has a younger brother, Patrick. When Will was eight years old, his parents divorced. Ferrell described his reaction to the divorce as positive, saying that he would get to celebrate two Christmases. Both parents remained committed to their children, but Ferrell noted that his father's line of work in show business made him want a steadier job.

Ferrell began his education at Culverdale Elementary School in Irvine. After graduating, he attended Rancho San Joaquin Middle School and then University High School. He was a member of his high school football team, playing as a kicker, and was also on the soccer team and captain of the basketball team. Ferrell realised he could make his classmates laugh when he was in the third grade. He began to explore ways to be funny, seeing it as a diversion from the monotony of life in suburbia. In ninth grade, Ferrell and a friend started performing comedy skits they had written themselves. He also performed these skits in school talent shows, becoming popular among his classmates.

After graduating from high school, Ferrell enrolled at the University of Southern California, where he studied sports broadcasting and joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. In college, Ferrell was known for his pranks, including dressing as a janitor and strolling into his friends' classes, and streaking around campus. After graduating with a BA in sports information in 1990, Ferrell knew he did not want to go into broadcasting. He took up various odd jobs, including working as a hotel valet and a bank teller, before moving to Los Angeles in 1991. There, he successfully auditioned for the comedy group The Groundlings, where he developed his improvisation skills.

Ferrell's Saturday Night Live career

Will Ferrell's career on Saturday Night Live spanned from 1995 to 2002. Ferrell established himself in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the sketch comedy series, performing on the show for seven years. During his time on SNL, Ferrell made a name for himself with his impersonations of US President George W. Bush, singer Robert Goulet, singer Neil Diamond, game show host Alex Trebek, and many others. He also created original characters, including Morning Latte co-host Tom Wilkins, music teacher Marty Culp, and cheerleader Craig Buchanan.

Ferrell's original characters also included the Butabi Brothers, Doug and Steve, two nightclub regulars with no social skills who constantly bob their heads to the Haddaway song, "What is Love?". The characters were so popular that they were given their own movie, A Night at the Roxbury, in 1998.

Ferrell became the highest-paid cast member of Saturday Night Live in 2001, with a season salary of $350,000. He has since returned to host the show five times, becoming a member of the show's Five-Timers Club.

Ferrell's film career

Will Ferrell's film career has been described as "momentous" and "wide-ranging". Ferrell has displayed a knack for playing clueless buffoons, but he has also starred in more serious films, standing toe-to-toe with Academy Award winners Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, and Emma Thompson. Ferrell has also done voiceover work, most notably in The Lego Movie, where he played Lord Business.

Ferrell's career began in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, where he performed from 1995 to 2002. During his time on SNL, Ferrell made a name for himself with his impersonations, including US President George W. Bush, singer Neil Diamond, and game show host Alex Trebek.

Ferrell's first starring role after his departure from Saturday Night Live was as Frank "The Tank" Richard in Old School (2003). The film was a success, and Ferrell received an MTV Movie Awards nomination for Best Comedic Performance.

Ferrell continued to land comedy roles in 2004 and 2005 in films such as Melinda and Melinda, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and Starsky & Hutch earning himself a place among Hollywood's Frat Pack. In 2005, Ferrell earned $40 million.

In 2006, Ferrell starred in Stranger Than Fiction, Curious George, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Both Talladega Nights and Stranger Than Fiction were critical and box office successes. Ferrell's performance in Stranger Than Fiction introduced audiences to the dramatic potential of his acting talents.

In 2008, Ferrell starred in Step Brothers with John C. Reilly. The movie earned $128 million worldwide and has since become a cult classic.

In 2010, Ferrell was the executive producer and star of The Other Guys, a buddy cop film that was a commercial success, earning over $140 million and receiving positive reviews from critics.

In 2012, Ferrell starred in the political comedy The Campaign, which grossed $104 million against a budget of $95 million.

In 2013, Ferrell reprised his role as Ron Burgundy in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. The sequel was critically and financially successful.

In 2014, Ferrell starred in The Lego Movie, playing the antagonist Lord Business. The film was a critical and commercial success, with Ferrell's performance described as "comedic and villainous".

In 2015, Ferrell starred in the buddy comedy Get Hard and the comedy Daddy's Home, reuniting with The Other Guys co-star Mark Wahlberg.

In 2016, Ferrell reprised his role as Jacobim Mugatu in the Zoolander sequel, Zoolander 2.

In 2017, Ferrell reprised his character from Daddy's Home in the sequel, Daddy's Home 2.

In 2020, Ferrell starred in the musical comedy film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga with Rachel McAdams.

In 2022, Ferrell starred in the Apple TV+ musical comedy film Spirited with Ryan Reynolds. He also served as the film's producer.

In 2023, Ferrell played the CEO of Mattel in Greta Gerwig's comedy film Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

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