Will Ferrell finally explains real reason why he dressed up as a smoking Buddy the Elf to watch hockey game

If you haven't already seen the snap of Will Ferrell dressed up as a rundown Buddy the Elf then you're in luck.

The comedian went viral last month as he decided to attend a hockey game between Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers on December 29, which ended in a 5-4 win for LA, while donning a replica of the famed costume he wore more than two decades ago shooting the Christmas epic Elf.

But it wasn't the Buddy we recognized, this elf had a cigarette in his mouth with scraggy-looking facial hair and a pint of beer - he looked as if he'd just finished a gruelling shift in Santa's workshop.

He spoke to FanDuel Sports Network broadcaster Carrlyn Bathe during the night, with the 57-year-old telling the reporter 'it was a tough holiday season' and that 'he’s looking for a Kings win'.

Immediately, there was speculation that we could be about to witness a sequel to Elf, but unfortunately, that was never on the cards.

The esteemed actor set the record straight while appearing as a guest on NFL stars, and brothers, Jason and Travis Kelce's New Heights podcast.

Ferrell dressed up as Buddy as he watched hockey (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

When asked what was going on, Ferrell replied: "Buddy the Elf got laid off, I think, from the North Pole.

"He’s having a pull from his beer, smoking a cig. That was just… I get these weird ideas every now and then. We’re season ticket holders for the LA Kings. We have seats right on the glass.

"I told my wife, ‘Over the break, it would be funny if I just got a Buddy the Elf costume and didn’t shave for a week, and I’m just sitting there with a candy cigarette and I’m just gonna sit there for a period and see how people react.'"

He continued: "The reaction was insane!

"Like, what is he doing? Is he promoting something? But occasionally I just like to do weird things like that just to stir it up.'"

Buddy has had a rough festive period (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ferrell's high energy performance as Buddy in Elf helped carry the film, although paired with his late co-star James Caan, who played Buddy's dad, a perfect combo was reached.

Caan passed away in 2022, while Bob Newhart, who played Papa Elf, also died in July last year.

Earlier this year, Ferrell revealed that Caan didn't find him very funny, as he claimed that Caan, who played Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, had told him he didn't 'get' the actor during an appearance on the MeSsy podcast with Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

"James Caan - may he rest in peace, and we had such a good time working on that movie - he would tease me," Ferrell said, as he spoke fondly of his co-star.