Will Ferrell (born July 16, 1967) is a comedian, impressionist, and actor who first established himself as a cast member of Saturday Night Live (1995-2002).

Born John William Ferrell in Irvine, California, he attended the University of Southern California. After graduating in 1989, Ferrell developed his improvisation skills as a member of the comedy group The Groundlings.

During his time on SNL, Ferrell made a name for himself with impressions of

• U.S. President George W. Bush ("strategery" was just one of several Bushisms he used during skits about the 2000 campaign),
• announcer Harry Caray,
• singer Robert Goulet (crooning a cappella versions of songs by Sisqo and Notorious B.I.G.),
• Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy,
• U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno,
• convicted Unabomber Ted Kaczynski,
• game show host Alex Trebek, and
• professional wrestler-turned-Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura.

His original characters included "Morning Latte" co-host Tom Wilkins, music teacher Marty Culp, Spartan cheerleader Craig Buchanan, and night clubber Steve Butabi in a sketch that became the 1998 film A Night at the Roxbury

His final performance as a regular on Saturday Night Live was May 18, 2002, in which the real Alex Trebek made an appearance at the end of the last Celebrity Jeopardy! sketch. He then followed in the footsteps of fellow SNL alumni by switching to a career focused on movies.

Ferrell has appeared in The Ladies Man (2001), Zoolander (2001), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), Old School (2003), and had leading roles in Elf (2003), and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004).

He hosted the USC School of Cinema-Television’s 75th Anniversary Gala [1], where his alma mater was recognized as the first educational institution of its kind in the country.

Personal life

He married Swedish actress Viveca Paulin in August 2000, and became father to Magnus Paulin Ferrell in 2004. Since meeting his wife, he has learned to speak some Swedish.

Will's father, Lee Ferrell, is a musician for the Righteous Brothers.

External links