• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Will Ferrell shares the 'hardest' acting role he's ever been casted for

Home> Film & TV> News

Published 15:38 1 Dec 2024 GMT

Will Ferrell shares the 'hardest' acting role he's ever been casted for

The Elf actor has revealed his hardest acting job.

Gregory Robinson

Gregory Robinson

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Will Ferrell has revealed the acting job he believes was the ‘hardest’ — and his answer may surprise you.

The beloved actor, 57, has an impressive resume; we're talking about Buddy the elf, sex addict and figure skater Chazz Michael Michaels, and San Diego anchorman Ron Burgundy. He’s done a lot in his film and TV career.

But pretending to be a whimsical elf or learning how to skate on ice were not the toughest jobs for Ferrell, believe it or not.

Advert

Despite all of his hilarious film roles, the acting job that he describes as being a mix of fun and hard work is starring on Saturday Night Live.

During his stint on the long-running NBC series, Ferrell took part in a huge number of well-known and often quoted sketches, including 'More Cowbell', 'Spartan Cheerleaders at Tryouts', 'Dr. Beaman’s Office: Test Results', and a 2002 'Weekend Update' skit with Britney Spears.

He also cracked people up with his impressions of George W. Bush, Dr. Phil, and Alex Trebek.

Will Ferrell and Britney Spears on SNL in 2002 (NBC/YouTube)
Will Ferrell and Britney Spears on SNL in 2002 (NBC/YouTube)

Between 1995 to 2002, Ferrell was a main member on the iconic sketch comedy show. Now that the show is celebrating its historic 50th season, Ferrell is feeling nostalgic.

“I had a wonderful seven seasons on that show, where I made lifelong friends,” he told People.

“I knew in that moment it would be the hardest but most fun job I would ever get to do, and I still look back on it that way.

"It's really an amazing thing that you have this live television show that still continues to put its finger on the pulse of what we're all thinking about, and it's a real credit to [creator] Lorne [Michaels] or having thought of it in the first place.”

He added: "It was the one thing I always dreamed about being a part of. "It's kind of enormous to think about in a way, 50 years of what has really defined American comedy."

With Christmas fast approaching, the time has come to re-watch Elf. Let’s face it, regardless of how many times you watch Buddy search for his dad in New York city, it never gets old.

Will Ferrell as George W. Bush on SNL in 2001 (NBC/YouTube)
Will Ferrell as George W. Bush on SNL in 2001 (NBC/YouTube)

Ferrell has shared details from behind the scenes of the 2003 festive comedy, including the time he made his on-screen dad, the late James Caan, a little mad.

The Barbie actor revealed that Caan, who passed away in 2022, didn't have to try very hard to balance out Ferrell's performance, as he actually didn't find him very funny.

He said: “James Caan - may he rest in peace, and we had such a good time working on that movie - he would tease me.

“We’d be in between setups, he was like, ‘I don’t get you. You’re not funny.’ And I’m like, ‘I know! I’m not Robin Williams.’

"He’s like, ‘People ask me, 'Is he funny?' And I’m like, 'No, he’s not funny!' It was all with love.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images/NBC

Topics: Film and TV, Saturday Night Live, Will Ferrell

Gregory Robinson
Gregory Robinson

Gregory is a journalist for UNILAD. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, he has worked for both print and online publications and is particularly interested in TV, (pop) music and lifestyle. He loves Madonna, teen dramas from the '90s and prefers tea over coffee.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

21 mins ago
18 hours ago
19 hours ago
23 hours ago
  • Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA
    21 mins ago

    Delroy Lindo receives standing ovation as he addresses BAFTAs racial slur controversy in first public comments

    Lindo has publicly spoken out about the BAFTAs controversy

    Film & TV
  • (Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images)
    18 hours ago

    Kaley Cuoco reveals why there was 'drama' as The Big Bang Theory started to become successful

    The star was a core cast member on the world-famous sitcom.

    Film & TV
  • (Scott Garfield/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
    19 hours ago

    Heartfelt way Grey’s Anatomy pay tribute to Eric Dane following his death aged 53

    Dane starred on Grey's between 2006 and 2012, before returning briefly in 2021.

    Film & TV
  • (Netflix)
    23 hours ago

    Bridgerton star claims she developed a skin condition after shooting X-rated bathtub sex scene for 7 hours

    "I'm a sensitive gal."

    Film & TV
  • Staggering amount Will Ferrell turned down for Elf 2 because he 'didn't like the script'
  • Bill Hader reveals he was fired from theater job after controversial act on movie-goers
  • Michael Douglas shares heartbreaking reason he's quit acting for good
  • One SNL sketch Morgan Wallen 'refused' to do before abruptly walking off stage during credits