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Will Ferrell Biography

Birth Name:John William Ferrell

Birth Place:Irvine, California, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Writer

Fast Facts

  • Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015
  • Received the 2011 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
  • Graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in sports information
  • Is the son of The Righteous Brothers keyboardist Lee Ferrell
  • Before becoming an actor, he worked as a Santa Claus at a mall that also featured actor Chris Kattan as an elf
  • Performed original comedy skits over the school intercom as a high school senior
  • Started out performing with the improv group The Groundlings
  • Quote: "I'm not really an exhibitionist․ I'm drawn to the outrageous stuff because it's fun, not because it's some deep compulsion․ I'm no tortured, anger-stoked, deeply neurotic comic․ Just a pretty low-key normal guy․"
  • Frequently appears shirtless onscreen in his films
  • Co-founded the sketch comedy site Funny or Die
  • In 2001, he became the highest paid cast member of "Saturday Night Live․"
  • Has an uncredited role in the last bowling scene in "Kingpin" in which he yells "Ernie, you're the man!"
  • Appeared in the 2009 Broadway play "You're Welcome America․"

Awards

  • 2001American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series: nominated
  • 2001OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer in a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 2001TV Guide Award-Breakout Star of the Year: nominated
  • 2002MTV Movie Award-Best Dressed: nominated
  • 2002OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer in a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2003MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Team: nominated
  • 2003MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
  • 2004MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
  • 2004Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor - Comedy: nominated
  • 2005MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
  • 2005MTV Movie Award-Best Musical Performance: nominated
  • 2005MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Team: nominated
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: nominated
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Rumble: nominated
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Sleazebag: nominated
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Hissy Fit: nominated
  • 2005Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Couple: nominated
  • 2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006Razzie Award-Worst Actor: nominated
  • 2006Razzie Award-Worst Screen Couple: winner
  • 2006Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2006Stinker Award-Most Annoying Fake Accent: Male: nominated
  • 2007Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2007MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
  • 2007MTV Movie Award-Best Fight: nominated
  • 2007MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: winner
  • 2007Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Chemistry: nominated
  • 2007Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Hissy Fit: nominated
  • 2007Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: winner
  • 2007Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Dance: nominated
  • 2008Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: nominated
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2009Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: nominated
  • 2010Razzie Award-Worst Screen Couple: nominated
  • 2010Razzie Award-Worst Actor: nominated
  • 2011Blimp Award-Favorite Butt Kicker: nominated
  • 2011Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: nominated
  • 2011Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Chemistry: nominated
  • 2012Imagen Award-Best Actor/Feature Film: nominated
  • 2013MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
  • 2014American Comedy Award-Best Comedy Actor - Film: winner
  • 2014Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema-: nominated
  • 2014MTV Movie Award-Best Fight: nominated
  • 2014MTV Movie Award-Best WTF Moment: nominated
  • 2014Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: nominated
  • 2015BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2015BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2015BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
  • 2016Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: winner
  • 2016MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
  • 2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
  • 2016Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: nominated
  • 2017Blimp Award-Favorite Villain: nominated
  • 2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
  • 2017Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2018Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
  • 2018Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: nominated
  • 2019Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Feature: nominated
  • 2019Audience Award-: nominated
  • 2019MCFCA Award-Best Comedy Film: nominated
  • 2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
  • 2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special (Live): winner
  • 2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
  • 2019Razzie Award-Worst Actor: nominated
  • 2019Razzie Award-Worst Screen Combo: nominated
  • 2020LEJA Award-Best Picture: nominated
  • 2020PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: winner
  • 2020People's Choice Award-Favorite Comedy Movie Star: nominated
  • 2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special (Live): winner
  • 2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
  • 2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: winner
  • 2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2021CIC Award-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2021Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form: nominated
  • 2021Kids' Choice Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
  • 2022HMMA Award-Best Music Themed Film, Biopic or Musical: nominated
  • 2022PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: winner
  • 2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: winner
  • 2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special (Live): nominated
  • 2023HMMA Award-Best Music Themed Film or Musical: nominated
  • 2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: winner
  • 2024Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2024Family Film Award-Best Iconic Film: nominated
  • 2024Independent Spirit Award-Best Feature: nominated
  • 2024Gold Derby Film Award-Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2024Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2024NDFS Award-Best Picture: nominated
  • 2024PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Televised or Streamed Motion Pictures: nominated
  • 2024PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: winner
  • 2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Television Movie: winner
  • 2025BAFTA Film Award-Best Documentary: nominated
  • 2025Windie-Best Documentary Film: nominated
  • 2025Documentary Award-LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television: winner
  • 2025Gold Derby Film Award-Documentary Feature: nominated
  • 2025Blimp Award-Favorite Male Animated Voice from a Movie: nominated
  • 2025NDFS Award-Best Documentary Feature: nominated
  • 2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special: nominated