MovieWise

Unfiltered reviews. Cinematic depth.

Mode
Will Ferrell Biography and Full Filmography - MovieWise

Quick Facts

Born:
1967-07-16

Birthplace:
Irvine, California, USA

Credits:
215 Total Roles

Will Ferrell

Acting

The MovieWise Take

Refining cinematic analysis...

Biography

John William Ferrell (born July 16, 1967)is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is known for his leading man roles in comedy films and for his work as a television producer. Ferrell received various accolades, including six Primetime Emmy Awards and a British Academy Television Award, in addition to nomination for two Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award. In 2011, Farrell was honoured with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. In 2015, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was named the best comedian in British GQ.

Ferrell established himself in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, where he performed from 1995 to 2002, and has subsequently starred in a string of comedy films. After starring in the 2003 comedy film Old School, Ferrell became considered a member of the "Frat Pack", a generation of leading Hollywood comic actors who emerged in the late 1990s and the 2000s, including Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Steve Carell, Vince Vaughn, Paul Rudd, and brothers Owen and Luke Wilson. He founded the comedy website Funny or Die in 2007 with his former writing partner, Adam McKay.

Ferrell starred in comedy films such as A Night at the Roxbury (1998), Elf (2003), Anchorman (2004), Kicking & Screaming (2005), Talladega Nights (2006), Blades of Glory (2007), Step Brothers (2008), The Other Guys (2010), Get Hard (2015), and Barbie (2023). He has also taken dramatic roles in Stranger than Fiction (2006), Everything Must Go (2010), and Downhill (2020). He has voiced roles in Curious George (2006), Megamind (2010), The Lego Movie film franchise (2014–2019), and Despicable Me 4 (2024). He also starred in and produced the documentary Will & Harper (2024) with writer Harper Steele.

Ferrell has received four Primetime Emmy Awards for his work as a producer on the drama series Succession (2018–2023) and the specials Live in Front of a Studio Audience (2019–2022). He also produced the series I'm Sorry (2017–2019), the series Dead to Me (2019–2022), and the series Drunk History (2013–2019). For his work on Broadway, he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Special Theatrical Event for his satirical portrayal of George W. Bush in You're Welcome America (2009).

Known For

Full Filmography

Year Title Role
2025 A Very Jonas Christmas Movie MOVIE Will Ferrell
2025 Not So Fast, My Friend: A Lee Corso Special MOVIE Self
2025 SNL50: The Homecoming Concert MOVIE Self
2025 You're Cordially Invited MOVIE Jim
2025 Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music MOVIE Self
2025 SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night TV Self
2024 The Charlie Puth Show TV Will Ferrell
2024 Will & Harper MOVIE Self
2024 Despicable Me 4 MOVIE Maxime (voice)
2024 The Roast of Tom Brady MOVIE Ron Burgundy

Cinema in your inbox.

Weekly deep-dives and cinematic perspectives delivered to you.

By joining, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.