Shortly afterward, Ferrell moved back home with his parents and began his pursuit of a career in comedy, taking acting classes and earning parts in regional theater. As the story goes, Ferrell had an epiphany about where his true talents lay after ad-libbing an on-air joke that drew laughs from a crowd. Introduction to ComedyĪfter his graduation in 1989, Ferrell got his first taste of the NBC television world-not at Saturday Night Live ( SNL), but as an intern for the network's sports department. Upon graduation in 1986, Ferrell attended the University of Southern California at Los Angeles, where he joined the Delta Tau fraternity and pursued a degree in sports journalism. A glimpse of his comedic skills showed up each morning at high school, when he disguised his voice to make the daily announcements over the PA system. That's not to say Ferrell was a total straight man. You'd say, 'You wanna go to Disneyland today or line up your cars?' and he'd have to think about it.' 'You know those little Matchbox cars? Will would line up his Matchbox cars, by himself, and be totally happy. 'Very even tempered, very easygoing,' his mother recalled in an interview with Esquire. Even in the more comfortable confines of his suburban home, Ferrell displayed little of the outrageous, funny outbursts that would later help define his career. Studious and somewhat quiet, Ferrell chose to make his mark on the football field, where he set a school record for most field goals made. The oldest son of Righteous Brothers keyboardist Lee Ferrell and teacher Kay Ferrell, Will was-by his own admission-hardly the class clown as a student at University High School.

John William Ferrell was born on July 16, 1967, in Irvine, California. Ferrell also co-founded the popular video streaming site Funny or Die, and enjoyed success as a voiceover actor via animated features like Megamind (2010). Following his acclaimed seven-year run as a cast member of Saturday Night Live, he became one of the film industry's biggest comedic draws through off-color hits like Old School (2003) and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004). Born in 1967 in Irvine, California, Will Ferrell launched his career in comedy as a member of the Los Angeles-based improv group the Groundlings.

Will ferrell night at the roxbury snl