About Will Ferrel
Will Ferrel - Biography
John William Ferrell, known as Will Ferrell, rose to prominence as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2002. He transitioned to film stardom with hits like Old School, Elf, and Anchorman, becoming a key figure in the 'Frat Pack' of comedians.
Will Ferrell was born on July 16, 1967, in Irvine, California, to Betty Kay Overman, a teacher, and Roy Lee Ferrell Jr., a musician. He attended University High School and studied at the University of Southern California, initially aiming for a career in sports broadcasting before pivoting to comedy. Early attempts at stand-up were unsuccessful, but he found his footing with the Los Angeles improv troupe The Groundlings in the early 1990s. In 1995, Ferrell joined Saturday Night Live, revitalizing the show after a ratings dip. Over seven seasons until 2002, he became a breakout star with characters like the Butabi Brothers and Spartan cheerleaders. Post-SNL, Ferrell exploded as a leading comedic actor with Old School and Elf, solidifying his 'Frat Pack' status. He expanded into producing, co-founding Funny or Die, voicing roles in Megamind and Curious George, and guesting on series like The Office. Ferrell has continued producing projects like Drunk History and The Spoils of Babylon, earning six Primetime Emmys and a BAFTA TV award.
Learn from Will when you're...
- Developing comedic characters and impersonations
- Writing broad commercial comedy and satire
- Improving improvisational performance and live comedy skills
- Leading a comedy film or ensemble cast
- Transitioning from performer to producer/developer
- Building a public comedic brand and media presence
- Pitching and positioning commercial comedy
- Balancing family-friendly and adult comedy
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