Jump To Will Ferrell's Stats
Will Ferrell credits a couple of life time experiences that have made him the funny man that he is today. Where he was born had a lot to do with it. In an enclave of perfection – called Irvine, California – not much went wrong as he grew up. The planned, manicured community in Southern California made for little drama and few surprises. In order to have fun, Ferrell was compelled to start things himself.
His epiphany came in the third grade when he realized that prate falls kept him popular. As time when on he worked it like a low paid servant, making people enjoy themselves in a bland environment.
As a high schooler Ferrell managed to get license from the principle to pull early morning intercom pranks with his buddy – as long as the material was original. That experience gave him the impetus to create characters, voices and skits in order to entertain a captive – if not stunned – audience. The college road was more rigorous. As a student of the University of Southern California, the fraternity pranks didn't go over that easily. So Ferrell's knack to make his colleague laugh took a series hit as he tried everything, including streaking.
Those who employed him post graduation weren't laughing. A bank he worked out as a teller lost more than $500 in the two days as a teller. It wasn't a matter of theft. More a long the line of no talent to do the ordinary. With his mother's prompting, he headed to L.A. To pursue a job in comedy.
It didn't take long before he got recognized, auditioned and hired on to Saturday Night Live. The long running Saturday night variety show was suffering the same dilemma as Irvine, California. It became unfunny and was ripe for his entry in 1994. With his impersonations and his ability to cheer – needlessly – he became an immediate hit and a treasured resuscitator of the SNL legacy.
His foray on the silver screen has been nothing to sneer at. As a respected member of the SNL alumni, he has drawn critical and commercial success for his portrayals of a wide variety of characters. Ron Burgundy would attest to how good Ferrell acts. Ask him.
