Will Ferrell Biography

Summary

"John William 'Will' Ferrell" (born July 16, 1967) is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated American comedian, actor and writer who first established himself as a cast member of "Saturday Night Live," and has since gone on to a successful film career. He most recently starred in "Blades of Glory".

Biography

Early life

Ferrell was born in Irvine, California, to Lee Ferrell, a keyboardist for The Righteous Brothers, and Kay (née Overman), a teacher. He attended Rancho San Joaquin Middle School, where he was remembered as 'the class clown' and University High School in Irvine, where he was a kicker for the varsity football team. He enrolled at the University of Southern California, where he studied Sports Broadcasting and graduated with a degree in Sports Information(along with slight acting). He is also a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. After graduating in 1990, Ferrell developed his improvisation skills as a member of the comedy group The Groundlings.

"Saturday Night Live" career

Ferrell joined "Saturday Night Live" in 1995 (he was chosen over future co-star Steve Carell ). He had planned to perform a comedy bit to win a spot on the show from producer Lorne Michaels who traditionally sits down for the final interview with prospective cast members. It was Will's idea to arrive with a suitcase full of Monopoly money and say, 'I'm prepared to do anything to be on this show, Mr. Michaels.' After bringing the suitcase to the audition and subsequent meetings, it became apparent that there would be no need for the suitcase bit and Will aborted the idea. After a successful 7 year tenure, Ferrell left SNL in 2002.

During his time on "SNL", Ferrell made a name for himself with his impersonations, which included:

U.S. President George W. Bush ('strategery' was one of several fake Bushisms created by Ferrell during skits about the 2000 campaign),

Chicago Cubs announcer Harry Caray,

singer Robert Goulet (crooning a cappella pieces of music by Sisqó, Baha Men, and Notorious B.I.G.)

singer Neil Diamond

"Inside the Actors Studio" personality James Lipton

Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy

United States Attorney General Janet Reno

convicted Unabomber Ted Kaczynski

game show host Alex Trebek

professional wrestler-turned-Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura.

His original characters included 'Morning Latte' co-host Tom Wilkins, Ed the Horse's twin brother Ned, fictional Blue Öyster Cult member Gene Frenkle, music teacher Marty Culp, Spartan cheerleader Craig Buchanan, Dale Sturtevant from 'Dissing Your Dog', Ted of the Bill Brasky Buddies, David Leary from 'Dog Show', and night clubber Steve Butabi in a sketch that went to the big screen in 1998's "A Night at the Roxbury".

Ferrell returned to "Saturday Night Live" as a guest host on May 14, 2005. During this guest stint, he reprised his role as Alex Trebek in the popular 'Celebrity Jeopardy' sketches and Robert Goulet, advertising a series of crooned ringtones. In the same episode, during the performance of the song 'Little Sister' by musical guests Queens of the Stone Age, Ferrell came onstage playing the cowbell.

Ferrell became the highest paid cast member of Saturday Night Live in 2001 with a season salary of $350,000.

Movie career

During his time on "Saturday Night Live", Ferrell appeared in several movies: "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery", "A Night at the Roxbury", "Superstar", "The Ladies Man", "Dick", "Drowning Mona", "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me", "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back", and "Zoolander".

His first starring role came after his departure from SNL with Frank 'The Tank' Ricard in "Old School" (2003). The movie 'belongs to Mr. Ferrell,' declared the "New York Times", which described how he 'uses his hilarious, anxious zealotry to sell the part.' "Old School" was a major success and Ferrell received an MTV Movie Awards nomination for Best Comedic Performance.

The title role in "Elf" (2003) followed, as did another MTV Movie Awards nomination. Ferrell continued to land comedy roles in 2004 and 2005 in films such as "Melinda and Melinda", "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy", "Starsky & Hutch", and "Wedding Crashers", earning himself a place among Hollywood's Frat Pack. In 2005, Ferrell earned $40 million. In 2006, Ferrell starred in "Stranger Than Fiction" and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby"; both received critical and box office success. Ferrell's performance in "Stranger Than Fiction" introduced audiences to the dramatic potential of Ferrell's acting talents. On December 27, 2006, 'The Magazine' named Ferrell as one of its three actors of the year in their 2006 year in review issue.

In March of 2007, Ferrell, along with Jon Heder, co-starred in "Blades of Glory". During an interview in support of the ice skating comedy, Ferrell denied relying on performance enhancing drugs to assist with his work in the film, but did admit to using 'a lot of human growth hormone and a little bit of Robitussin' for his work in "Stranger Than Fiction." In 2005, Ferrell was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Ferrell has played two characters with the first name 'Chazz': Chazz Reinhold in "Wedding Crashers" and Chazz Michael Michaels in "Blades of Glory". Ferrell appeared as part of a pre-game video package for the Rose Bowl along with Texas alum Matthew McConaughey. Ferrell also sang a song at the ESPY Awards in 2006 about Lance Armstrong and Neil Armstrong, and is often noted as looking very similar to Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.

Ferrell participated in a 79th Academy Awards musical-comedy performance with John C. Reilly and Jack Black, where they sang a song about comedies being snubbed by the voters in favor of dramas.

Cartoons

Ferrell has worked as a voice actor in several animated television programs, including his portrayal of a 1950s-style father in the animated television series "The Oblongs". He has had several guest appearances on Family Guy, where he played the Black Knight in 'Mr. Saturday Knight', as well as Fat Greek Guy and Miles 'Chatterbox' Musket in 'Fifteen Minutes of Shame'. Ferrel also starred as Ted (a.k.a. The Man in the Yellow Hat) in the movie Curious George.

Funny or Die

In April 2007, Ferrell launched 'Funny or Die', a streaming video website where short comedy films are uploaded and voted on by users. The site features "The Landlord", starring Ferrell and Funny or Die co-founder Adam McKay. Ferrell's character is harassed for the rent by his landlord, a swearing, beer-loving two-year-old girl (played by McKay's daughter, Pearl). Some child psychologists have criticized Ferrell and the McKays for what they viewed as exploitation of the child, but Adam McKay responded by stating that '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.' They recently released a video entitled 'Good Cop, Baby Cop' which also starred baby Pearl. The end of the video stated that this would be her final appearance and wished her a happy 'baby retirement.'

Baby Pearl is the niece of actor Jeremy Piven, whose sister, Shira, is married to McKay.

Personal life

In August 2000, Ferrell married Swedish actress Viveca Paulin, whom he had met in 1995 at an acting class. On March 7, 2004 their son Magnus Paulin Ferrell was born. On December 30, 2006 just after 2 a.m., Paulin gave birth to another son, Mattias Ferrell.

An announcement on I-Newswire.com reported that Ferrell had died in a paragliding accident. This was possibly made up because of when he makes fun of people dying in paragliding accidents in Wedding Crashers. The site accepts press releases from users for publication on its website. A user submitted the aforementioned hoax, which was published before its factual inaccuracy was noticed. The story was further propagated when it appeared on Google News.

Ferrell is a fan of USC Trojan football, and has worked with head coach Pete Carroll to do motivational stunts for the players during the season.

Awards and nominations

Golden Globe Awards

"Nominated":

2006: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (for "The Producers")

2007: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy (for "Stranger than Fiction")

Emmy Awards

"Nominated":

2001: Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program (for "Saturday Night Live")

Razzie Awards

"Won":

2005: Worst Screen Couple (with Nicole Kidman, for "Bewitched (movie)"Nominated":* 2005: Worst Actor for " and "=== American Comedy Awards ==="Won":* 2001: Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication (for " Presidential Bash 2000) "Nominated":* 2001: Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series (for ")=== MTV Movie Awards ==="Won"* 2007: Best Kiss for ") (with )"Nominated":* 2007: Best Comedic Performance (for ")* 2007: Best Fight (for ")* 2005: Best Comedic Performance (for ")* 2005: Best On-Screen Team (with , and for ") * 2005: Best Musical Performance (with , and for ")* 2004: Best Comedic Performance (for ")* 2004: Best Comedic Performance (for ") * 2004: Best On-Screen Team (with and for ")=== Satellite Awards ==="Nominated":* 2006: Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical (for ")===Spike TV Guys' Choice Awards==="Won"* 2007 , Funniest Mo-fo* 2007 , Most Viral Video===ESPY Awards==="Won"* 2007 , Best Sports Movie (for ")* Currently holds the for highest annual earnings, $40 million in 2005.== Filmography ==