Will Ferrell became a household name as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” in the mid-90s. He achieved immense popularity in the 2000s with hit comedies like “Old School,” “Anchorman,” and “Blades of Glory.” His performances also showcased a more serious side in films such as “Stranger than Fiction.” However, in recent years, his appearances have dwindled, primarily in supporting roles or voiceovers. Fortunately for fans, Ferrell will return to the spotlight in 2025 with prominent roles in the wedding comedy “You’re Cordially Invited” and the sports sitcom “Golf.” Here’s a look at why he has taken a step back recently.
Although he has been less visible, the actor has remained active behind the scenes, focusing on production and new projects.
Ferrell’s Productions
Will Ferrell’s influence extends beyond acting. His work as a producer can be seen in acclaimed projects such as “Vice,” “Hustlers,” and “The Menu.” Since branching into production, Ferrell has been involved in numerous films and television series, contributing as an executive producer on hit shows like “Dead to Me” and “Succession.”
After closing his production company Gary Sanchez Productions, he established Gloria Sanchez Productions, continuing to make waves in Hollywood with projects like the Oscar-nominated “May December.” Ferrell expressed his excitement about supporting creative cinema and maintaining a collaborative spirit in his production endeavors.
Political Engagement
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Ferrell has openly shared his political views, endorsing Barack Obama during the 2012 election and advocating for the Democratic party in Georgia in 2018. Recently, he has become notably vocal about the political climate leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
In 2024, he created a stir as he humorously confronted non-voters during a campaign event, which attracted criticism from certain groups. Ferrell’s comedic yet pointed engagement in political discourse continues to capture public attention.
campaign ad featuring Kamala Harris showcased Will Ferrell using humor to emphasize the significance of voting, directly challenging an unnamed skeptic. Ferrell humorously dismissed the notion that one vote doesn’t matter by stressing the narrow margin that kept Trump from winning last time, urging individuals to take responsibility.
Ferrell made another appearance on Billy Eichner’s show, “Billy on the Street,” in a segment titled “Loud White Men for Kamala.” The duo encouraged New Yorkers to get involved in voting for the vice president, although their push didn’t achieve the intended impact.
Will Ferrell and the Changing Comedy Landscape
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Ferrell has had to adapt his comedy style in response to changing societal standards. He reflected on a controversial “Saturday Night Live” sketch from the ’90s, where he impersonated late Attorney General Janet Reno, acknowledging it wouldn’t be acceptable today.
In a 2024 interview, Ferrell expressed regret for some past sketches and noted, “You are given assignments,” playfully shifting part of the blame to the writers for those controversial moments.
Ferrell’s signature mid-budget comedies have also diminished in Hollywood, overshadowed by the dominance of franchise films. His last leading role in such a comedy was in “Holmes and Watson”, released in 2018.
Ferrell’s Reluctance for a Sequel
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One of Will Ferrell’s most beloved films, “Elf,” features him as an exuberant elf who brings holiday cheer to his father. Despite its success, Ferrell has shown little enthusiasm for a sequel, fearing it might tarnish the original’s charm.
In a 2013 appearance, he admitted to Andy Cohen that he found the idea of reprising Buddy the Elf somewhat unappealing, humorously noting how unrealistic it would be. Ferrell has reportedly turned down substantial offers, including a $29 million paycheck, to star in a sequel.
Additionally, in 2022, James Caan revealed that on the set of “Elf,” Ferrell had significant disagreements with director Jon Favreau, which further complicated the prospect of creating a follow-up.
Ferrell’s Side Career as a DJ
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Will Ferrell, not satisfied with his singing showcase in “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” has ventured into amateur DJing. He was first seen behind the decks at a USC fraternity tailgate in 2023, playing an array of tracks including songs by The Killers, Survivor, and collaborations from Jay-Z & Kanye West.
Ferrell embodied the DJ persona perfectly, wearing a backwards cap, sunglasses, headphones, and a jacket from his alma mater, which his son Magnus currently attends. The DJ trio, Swedish House Mafia, seemed impressed with his performance, as they agreed to perform alongside him at a benefit event for Cancer for College in 2024.
He shared this exciting news in a YouTube video, showcasing his DJ gear and wearing a Swedish House Mafia shirt. The star of “Talladega Nights” mentioned that he would perform with “my band” prior to the renowned DJs taking the stage. “Make sure to attend—don’t anger these guys,” he humorously warned about the event titled ‘Will Ferrell’s Ultimate DJ House Party.’
Will is committed to supporting the transgender community
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In contrast to comedians like Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais, who have faced backlash for their remarks, Will Ferrell stands as a prominent ally for the transgender community. His support was largely inspired by the transition of his long-time friend, Harper Steele, a former head writer of “Saturday Night Live,” as highlighted in the Netflix documentary “Will and Harper.”
Following Steele’s coming out, Ferrell dedicated himself to understanding her experiences and the broader trans community, which included a documented road trip from New York City to Santa Monica. “It was a safe space for me to learn,” Ferrell explained about the film to The Guardian.
He emphasized the importance of showing his journey in understanding and navigating the subject, acknowledging his initial missteps. “Harper reassures me that it’s alright to make mistakes,” he added. Ferrell aims for this documentary to have a significant impact, especially with its release timed before the presidential elections, hoping it will help shift perspectives on trans rights.
Will is expanding his investment portfolio into soccer
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In a trend that’s gaining popularity among celebrities, Will Ferrell made headlines by investing in a UK soccer team. Following the likes of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney with Wrexham, Ferrell joined the wave of American celebrities entering the world of football in 2024.
In the summer of 2024, he acquired a minor share in Leeds United, a club that previously welcomed actor Russell Crowe as part of its ownership. This is not Ferrell’s first foray into sports investment, as he previously became a co-owner of the MLS team Los Angeles FC alongside stars like Magic Johnson and Mia Hamm in 2016.
When commenting on the surge of celebrity interest in soccer during a Leeds match against Burnley, Ferrell shared with LUTV (via Leeds Live), “We’re finally acknowledging the beauty of this game. Americans love their sports, but the passion for English football is unmatched. It’s truly exhilarating.” Unfortunately, his presence did not sway the outcome as Leeds lost 1-0.
Will Ferrell is a fun father to his three sons—Magnus, Mattias, and Axel—with his wife Viveca Paulin. Known for his comedic nature, he enjoys playfully embarrassing his kids, particularly his eldest.
In a 2024 TikTok post, Magnus showcased a humorous father-son photo taken before his prom, featuring Ferrell dressed whimsically as a medieval lord in elaborate attire. Ferrell certainly commits to his roles, as fans of his past movies would know.
While Magnus expressed embarrassment over the outfit, he gave it a hilarious rating of 10,000 for good humor. Ferrell joked that after 20 years of noisy chaos at home, he’s earned the right to create some fun chaos himself. “The noise levels are always high,” he mentioned in a 2017 interview with People.
Will has been heard but not seen in his most recent films
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If you’re a fan of animated films, you might have enjoyed Will Ferrell’s recent voice work without realizing it. In 2024, he voiced the character Maxime Le Mal in “Despicable Me 4,” which is interesting given his previous lead role in “Megamind.”
Ferrell was brought into the project by Steve Carell, who shares the screen in his role as Gru. Carell mentioned that he suggested Ferrell for the villain role, and Ferrell eagerly accepted the opportunity without hesitation.
However, Carell was surprised by Ferrell’s voice performance, stating, “I didn’t quite recognize it.” Despite knowing it was his friend, he noted the voice sounded different in the film. Ferrell previously flexed his voice talent in “Strays,” where he voiced a naive Border Terrier named Reggie.
Will lost out on a coveted role to Nicolas Cage
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Over his career, Will Ferrell has missed out on many big roles, including in films like “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Get Smart.” However, the loss he felt most keenly was related to sports when he was passed over in 2024.
Insiders believed Ferrell was the ideal choice to portray NFL legend John Madden in an upcoming biopic. Surprisingly, the role went to Nicolas Cage, who did not resemble the famous coach at all, making it a surprising casting decision.
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It’s possible that the discord between Madden and Ferrell years ago influenced events. Madden accused Ferrell of undermining baseball’s integrity when he participated in five charity exhibition games for ten teams, raising around $1 million for charity. However, Ferrell finds comfort in pursuing his sports aspirations in other arenas. He’s been featured in numerous films about various sports, including basketball in “Semi-Pro”, soccer in “Kicking and Screaming”, NASCAR in “Talladega Nights,” and even ice-skating in “Blades of Glory.”
Tension with Longtime Collaborator
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In the 2000s, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay were an iconic comedic pair, creating hits like “Anchorman,” “Talladega Nights,” and “Step Brothers.” Unfortunately, their relationship soured in the latter part of the decade.
The pair decided to part ways in 2019 with their company, Gary Sanchez Productions, but asserted they would remain in each other’s lives. However, three years later, McKay revealed they hadn’t communicated since that announcement, attributing the rift to a disagreement over HBO’s “Winning Time.” McKay candidly expressed regret over not discussing his choice to cast John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss with Ferrell first, a role Ferrell desired.
“I messed up in how I handled that,” McKay admitted to Vanity Fair, claiming that Ferrell overreacted. Meanwhile, Ferrell, who previously had a falling out with Chris Kattan, indicated that he was overwhelmed by McKay’s intense work schedule, noting, “The prospect of seeing a billboard that says, ‘Oh, we’re producing that?’ I don’t know… We simply operate with different capacities.”
Recent Roles: Supportive Appearances
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Although Will Ferrell remains active in the entertainment industry, he is focusing on supporting roles that allow other talent to shine. In “Barbie,” he took on a minor role as the Mattel CEO. He also briefly appeared as Terry McTeer, a game show host, in “Quiz Lady.” Additionally, in the fourth season of Amazon’s edgy series “The Boys,” he made a quick cameo in the fictional film “Training A-Team.”
“We ended up texting, and he’s really a great guy. I just reached out to see if he would fly out to Toronto for 36 hours to do this role,” explained showrunner Eric Kripke to The Hollywood Reporter about convincing Ferrell to portray Coach Brink. Despite the challenging shooting conditions, Ferrell was praised for his kindness and professionalism.
Ferrell has also made appearances in various Netflix specials, including reprising his iconic Ron Burgundy character in “The Roast of Tom Brady” and depicting producer Lou Adler in a sketch on “John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA.”
Ferrell’s Impact in Podcasting
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Will Ferrell’s New Podcast Venture
In today’s celebrity culture, having a podcast is almost a requirement, but Will Ferrell has taken it further by creating his own podcast network. In 2019, he launched the Big Money Players Network in collaboration with iHeartRadio. This platform features “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” where he reprises his renowned character from “Anchorman.”
Ferrell expressed his enthusiasm about working with the iHeartPodcast Network, stating, “It has been a delight to collaborate. I enjoy spending time in the offices, and I was only reprimanded once for using the wrong computer.” He noted his eagerness to explore how comedy and podcasting can evolve together in the future.
Following this, he introduced various new podcasts, including “The Feed,” an anthology hosted with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang featuring an array of up-and-coming comedians, and “The Big Sexy Interview Show with Michael Bolton,” a talk show led by the famous singer. During the Podcast Movement Evolutions event in 2022, Ferrell mentioned his desire to uplift emerging talent through this platform.
Sophia Michaels
