John William Ferrell was born in Irvine, California, to Betty Kay (Overman), a teacher, and Roy Lee Ferrell, Jr., a musician. His parents were originally from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Ferrell became interested in performing while a student at University High School in Irvine, where he made his school's daily morning announcements over the public address system in disguised voices. He started as a member of the Los Angeles comedy/improvisation group The Groundlings, where fellow cast members Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph and former Saturday Night Live (1975) repertory players such as Laraine Newman, Jon Lovitz and Phil Hartman began their careers. It was there he met Chris Kattan and the two became good friends and both went on to Saturday Night Live (1975) later. He has also appeared on several television programs, including Strangers with Candy (1999), Grace Under Fire (1993) and Living Single (1993) during his time at The Groundlings. Will also lent his voice to the armless and legless dad of cartoon family "The Oblongs". In 1995 he became a feature cast member at Saturday Night Live (1975) during the show's rapid re-casting. He was declared quite possibly the worst cast member ever during his first season. However, his talents of impersonations and range of characters shot him forward to making him arguably the greatest Saturday Night Live (1975) cast member ever. During his seven year run he is one of the few cast members to ever be nominated for an Emmy for a performance and played George W. Bush during the 2000 elections. He has appeared in every Saturday Night Live (1975) movie since his premiere on the show in 1995. In 2002 he left Saturday Night Live (1975) and was the only cast member to ever receive a farewell from all the current cast members at the end of the season finale show. Since leaving the show Will has pursued a career in films. In 2000, he married Viveca Paulin, and lives in L.A. See full bio on IMDb »
Will Ferrell and the other passengers in the SUV that got flipped over on a highway had many people worried and rushing to get help ... according to the multiple 911 calls. TMZ has obtained the… READ MORE >
1:35 PM PT -- Will and his colleague, Andrew Steele, were unhurt in the accident and have been released from an Orange County hospital ... according to United Talent Agency. Ferrell’s… READ MORE >
Nicki Minaj thought she was gonna sit courtside at a regular old Lakers game Tuesday night -- turns out, she had front row seats to one of the best rookie debuts EVER! Despite celebs like… READ MORE >
The Lakers have been CRUSHIN' IT the past few games ... and you can tell by all of the huge celebrity fans who've rushed back to their courtside seats! Pharrell, Floyd Mayweather, Will… READ MORE >
Will Ferrell's still got it ... and he's got an honorary doctorate from his alma mater now to boot. The famous funnyman stayed classy for most of his commencement speech to USC's class of 2017 on… READ MORE >
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw got served at his own charity ping-pong event Thursday night ... courtesy of Will Ferrell. Will hosted Clayton's Ping Pong 4 Purpose event at Dodger Stadium --… READ MORE >
Ben Stiller whipped out an extra long surprise at the 'Zoolander 2' premiere -- something totally necessary when your career is being "professionally good looking." Stiller and the cast… READ MORE >
Will Ferrell just got his first vote of confidence as an MLS owner ... by a U.S. Soccer star who says Ferrell's love for the sport is legit ... and just what the league needs. We got Sean… READ MORE >
The Catalina Wine Mixer – the legendary scene from Will Ferrell's "Step Brothers" flick – is coming to life, and it's going to be just like the movie, right down to a helicopter… READ MORE >
Will Ferrell went all frowny face at the Lakers game Friday night ... with good reason. Will and his son looked on as they sat on the hardwood and watched their team lose to the Trail Blazers by a… READ MORE >
