Will Ferrell Blades of Glory

The career of John William Ferrell, better known as "Will" to his fans, has come a long way since his television and film debuts in 1995. In a little over a decade, Ferrell has become the go-to funnyman in Hollywood, demanding as much as $20 million per picture. He has appeared in 35 films and chalked up guest appearances on some of the most popular television shows including King of the Hill and Family Guy.

His popularity extends beyond movies and television, as various online video appearances quickly become viral -- I was recently in the company of an elderly couple who rushed me to their laptop so I could watch Ferrell as Bush bumbling his way through a global warming PSA. Besides the viral videos, Ferrell has recently made his Broadway debut, also aping Bush in a one man production called You're Welcome America: A Final Evening with George W. Bush. From the silver screen to the Great White Way, Ferrell's popularity is skyrocketing, and many consider him the greatest comic actor of our time.

Before becoming a member of the so called "Frat Pack" (a group of young comic actors whose films are popular with college age males) Ferrell seemed to be the picture of a suburban youth. Born in Irvine, California, Ferrell was on the varsity football team (as a kicker) and spent his time cracking up his friends and using comedy to overcome the boredom of the suburbs. In an interview with the Orange County Register, Ferrell says he had a different inroad to comedy than many comedians who grew up in tough neighborhoods and used comedy as a way to rise above. " . . . the humor broke the boredom" says Ferrell of his early life, "And there was a lot to make fun of."

Ironically enough for a future member of the "Frat Pack", Will Ferrell attended USC and joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, with whom he is still active as an alumni. After graduating from USC with a degree in Sports Information (a kind of Sports Newscasting degree), Ferrell became a member of the Groundlings, a Los Angeles based comedy improvisation troupe known for producing stars like Kathy Griffin, Paul Reubens, Jon Lovitz, and Adam Corolla.

Many members of the Groundlings went on to careers with the popular television variety show Saturday Night Live, and Ferrell followed suit, appearing in his first episode of SNL in 1995. Once audiences saw Ferrell's hilarious impersonations of famous characters (such as Fidel Castro, Alex Trebek, Janet Reno, Neil Diamond, and of course George W. Bush) he was an instant celebrity, and offers for film and television guest appearances started rolling in. By 2001, he was the highest paid SNL cast member in history, with an annual salary of $350,000 -- chump change compared to what he would eventually make in Hollywood with films like Blades of Glory.

Ferrell's first few roles in films may have gone largely unnoticed by the general public. He had a bit part in 1995's made for TV movie classic A Bucket of Blood -- a remake of a classic horror film of the same name starring Anthony Michael Hall -- and it is likely he would like everyone to forget he was in it. The movie was so bad, it can now be found in most supermarket's bargain bins selling for as little as $1.

His next role was equally embarrassing, in the little known film Criminal Hearts -- his part is credited as "Newscaster", echoing both is career at USC and his eventual starring role in the hit film Anchorman.

Toward the end of 1995, he scored his first big role, and a memorable one, as Mustafa in the Mike Meyers Austin Powers film. The scene where Mustafa is "executed" by Powers' nemesis Dr. Evil is a classic, and allows Ferrell to show off his comedy chops. This film made $53 million domestically, and did more for Ferrell's film career than either of his previous roles.

1998 was a rough year for Ferrell's career -- though he continued to be the start of SNL, his film roles did little to increase his presence. Films like The Thin Pink Line (a gay bashing mockumentary), A Night At the Roxbury (a film based on an SNL skit . . . these never do well), Superstar (another SNL based film), and Dick (a wannabe Richard Nixon biopic that bombed) made audiences wonder if Ferrell was really meant to do film work. But the best was yet to come.

A repeat role in the 1999 Austin Powers sequel The Spy Who Shagged Me as well as a major role in 2000s cult classic Zoolander earned him plenty of money and respect, and the film roles began to roll in. Between 2002 and 2003, Ferrell scored a number of hits, including Elf, Old School, and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. These three films alone earned well over $325 million dollars at the box office, and Ferrell's stardom was assured.

He has gone on to star in big name films like Starsky and Hutch, Wedding Crashers, Talladega Nights, Semi Pro, Step Brothers, and his remake of Land of the Lost. Ferrell can command large fees for appearing in films, and the attachment of his name to a project virtually guarantees a hit. Since 2005, none of his movies have grossed less then $35 million domestically.

Will Ferrell has been nominated for many awards during his career, including MTV Movie Awards, Spike TV Awards, Razzies, Emmys, ESPYs, and even Golden Globes. Out of these nominations have come several wins, including two ESPYs, the James Joyce Award for "excellence in his field", an MTV Movie Award, and a Teen Choice Award, reflecting his popularity across many social classes.

He has two sons with Swedish actor Vivica Paulin (Magnus and Matthias), and appears happily married. It is rumored that Ferrell will play the lead character in the adaptation of John Kennedy Toole's classic book A Confederacy of Dunces, though rumor has it that the project has been scrapped. Farrell would be perfect as the bumbling but articulate Ignatius J. Reilly, a much loved character who is honored with a statue in New Orleans, where the book is set.

Will Ferrell, love him or hate him, is a major force in American movies. His comedy style -- a bit ironic, a bit detached -- is perfect for contemporary audiences who seem to have a taste for irony and overall smart ass-ness. We can only hope that his participation in the remake of Land of the Lost will be a success, and that many future films will make use of his comedy style.

If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to check out You're Welcome America: A Final Evening with George W. Bush on Amazon.

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