Kaylah Walton
Will Ferrell surprised fans during a recent NHL matchup between the L.A. Kings and the Philadelphia Flyers. He appeared at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, donning the outfit of his famous character Buddy the Elf, though this version was notably less cheerful.
Wearing Buddy’s signature bright green suit and yellow tights, the 57-year-old actor brought a humorous twist to the beloved Christmas figure by adopting a grumpy demeanor, complete with pretend smoking and exaggerated annoyance. Accompanied by his wife, Viveca Paulin, and their son Axel, Ferrell highlighted his comedic talent by reimagining the classic character in an unexpected light.
A nostalgic tribute to Elf
This event follows the 20th anniversary of Elf, the 2003 holiday film that tells the story of Buddy, a human raised by elves who travels to New York City to locate his biological father. Ferrell’s role as the overly cheerful, syrup-obsessed Buddy stands as one of his most memorable performances.
Interestingly, there’s a deleted scene in Elf where Buddy demonstrates his ice hockey skills, making Ferrell’s appearance at the NHL game a fitting tribute. Fans swiftly recognized the connection, turning his antics into an online sensation.
Reflections on Buddy’s impact
Mary Steenburgen, who starred alongside Ferrell as Emily Hobbs in Elf, reminisced about the fun they had filming the holiday classic. She mentioned the challenge of keeping a straight face during Buddy’s over-the-top scenes, like drinking soda and pouring syrup over spaghetti.
Although Ferrell declined the opportunity to make a sequel, he appreciates the movie’s lasting popularity. “It’s truly special to have a film like that in my career,” he shared recently with PEOPLE, noting that fans often watch Elf throughout the year, not just during the holidays.
Ferrell’s unexpected portrayal of a cranky Buddy serves as a light-hearted reminder of the character’s enduring charm. Whether on screen or cheering in the audience at an NHL game, Buddy the Elf continues to spread joy—and a bit of sass—among his fans.
