One of the many comic actors to make the leap from
Saturday Night Live to the big screen, Ferrell exudes a gawky, everyman likability. This tall, curly-haired player performed with The Groundlings before landing on
SNL, where he became popular for his hilarious impressions (James Lipton, Alex Trebek, George "Dubya") and broad characterizations (an overgrown cheerleader, an overzealous lover). One of his creations, a bridge-and-tunnel clubgoer, led to his first leading movie role in 1998's lackluster
A Night at the Roxbury, but future projects proved more rewarding. After a succession of small parts in small movies, Ferrell popped up in fellow funnyman Ben Stiller's modest 2001 hit
Zoolander and stole the show as eccentric fashion-designer-cum-terrorist Mugatu (a reference to a furry
Star Trek villain). Ferrell left
SNL the next year to concentrate exclusively on the big screen, and by 2003 he was a bankable star, with a laugh-out-loud supporting role as an overgrown frat boy in
Old School and his lovable turn in the feel-good smash
Elf. Some of his films did better than others —
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, which he also cowrote (perhaps inspired by his early days as a sportscaster for a local cable station), was a hit, while
Bewitched and
The Producers bombed. Inspite of the occasional flops, however, Ferrell always retained his regular-guy appeal.
Will Ferrell Fast Facts:- Read public address announcements in high school and often imitated other students.
- Worked at a local cable-access news program after college.
- Was a member of The Groundlings comedy troupe.
- Competed in the 2003 Boston Marathon.
- Member of the so-called Frat Pack which includes Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson.
- Will Ferrell Relationships:
- Kay Ferrell - Mother
- Lee Ferrell - Father
- Magnus Paulin Ferrell - Son
- Mattias Ferrell - Son
- Patrick Ferrell - Brother
- Viveca Paulin - Wife
- Will Ferrell Awards:
- 2007 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2006 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Nominee
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 2009 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Nominee
- 2009 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Nominee
- College:
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (BA in Sports Information, 1990)
