
John William Ferrell (born July 16, 1967)is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is known for his leading man roles in comedy films and for his work as a television producer. Ferrell received various accolades, including six Primetime Emmy Awards and a British Academy Television Award, in addition to nomination for two Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award. In 2011, Farrell was honoured with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. In 2015, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was named the best comedian in British GQ.
Ferrell established himself in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, where he performed from 1995 to 2002, and has subsequently starred in a string of comedy films. After starring in the 2003 comedy film Old School, Ferrell became considered a member of the "Frat Pack", a generation of leading Hollywood comic actors who emerged in the late 1990s and the 2000s, including Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Steve Carell, Vince Vaughn, Paul Rudd, and brothers Owen and Luke Wilson. He founded the comedy website Funny or Die in 2007 with his former writing partner, Adam McKay.
Ferrell starred in comedy films such as A Night at the Roxbury (1998), Elf (2003), Anchorman (2004), Kicking & Screaming (2005), Talladega Nights (2006), Blades of Glory (2007), Step Brothers (2008), The Other Guys (2010), Get Hard (2015), and Barbie (2023). He has also taken dramatic roles in Stranger than Fiction (2006), Everything Must Go (2010), and Downhill (2020). He has voiced roles in Curious George (2006), Megamind (2010), The Lego Movie film franchise (2014–2019), and Despicable Me 4 (2024). He also starred in and produced the documentary Will & Harper (2024) with writer Harper Steele.
Ferrell has received four Primetime Emmy Awards for his work as a producer on the drama series Succession (2018–2023) and the specials Live in Front of a Studio Audience (2019–2022). He also produced the series I'm Sorry (2017–2019), the series Dead to Me (2019–2022), and the series Drunk History (2013–2019). For his work on Broadway, he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Special Theatrical Event for his satirical portrayal of George W. Bush in You're Welcome America (2009).
Frequent co-stars
18
Titles
57

You're Cordially Invited
Jim • 2025
Film
★6/10

Will & Harper
Self • 2024
Film
★7/10

Despicable Me 4
Maxime (voice) • 2024
Film
★7/10

Doggy Style
Reggie (voice) • 2023
Film
★7/10

Barbie
Mattel CEO • 2023
Film
★7/10

Quiz Lady
Terry McTeer • 2023
Film
★7/10

Geestig
Present • 2022
Film
★7/10

The Shrink Next Door
Martin 'Marty' Markowitz • 2021
Serie
★7/10

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
Lars Erickssong • 2020
Film
★6/10

Downhill
Pete Stanton • 2020
Film
★5/10

De Lego Film 2
President Business / Dad • 2019
Film
★7/10

Between Two Ferns: The Movie
Will Ferrell • 2019
Film
★6/10

The Royal Wedding Live with Cord and Tish!
Cord Hosenbeck • 2018
Film
★6/10

Holmes & Watson
Sherlock Holmes • 2018
Film
★4/10

Daddy's Home 2
Brad • 2017
Film
★6/10

The House
Scott Johansen/The Butcher • 2017
Film
★6/10

Zoolander 2
Jacobim Mugatu • 2016
Film
★5/10

Daddy's Home
Brad Whitaker • 2015
Film
★6/10

The Spoils Before Dying
Eric Jonrosh • 2015
Serie
★6/10

De Lego Film
Lord Business / President Business / The Man Upstairs • 2014
Film
★7/10

The Spoils of Babylon
Eric Jonrosh • 2014
Serie
★6/10

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Ron Burgundy • 2013
Film
★6/10

The Campaign
Cam Brady • 2012
Film
★6/10

Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie
Damien Weebs • 2012
Film
★6/10

Casa de Mi Padre
Armando Alvarez • 2012
Film
★5/10

Megamind: The Button of Doom
Megamind (voice) • 2011
Film
★7/10

Everything Must Go
Nick Halsey • 2011
Film
★6/10

Megamind
Megamind (voice) • 2010
Film
★7/10

De andere jongens
Detective Allen Gamble • 2010
Film
★6/10

Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America - A Final Night with George W. Bush
George W. Bush • 2009
Film
★7/10

Land of the Lost
Dr. Rick Marshall • 2009
Film
★5/10

Step Brothers
Brennan Huff • 2008
Film
★7/10

Semi-Pro
Jackie Moon • 2008
Film
★6/10

Blades of Glory
Chazz Michael Michaels • 2007
Film
★6/10

Stranger Than Fiction
Harold Crick • 2006
Film
★7/10

Nieuwsgierig Aapje
Ted (Man with the Yellow Hat) (voice) • 2006
Film
★7/10

Talladega Nights
Ricky Bobby • 2006
Film
★6/10

The Producers
Franz Liebkind • 2005
Film
★6/10

Kicking & Screaming
Phil Weston • 2005
Film
★6/10

Bewitched
Jack Wyatt • 2005
Film
★5/10

The Wendell Baker Story
Dave • 2005
Film
★5/10

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Ron Burgundy • 2004
Film
★7/10

Melinda and Melinda
Hobie • 2004
Film
★6/10

Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie
Ron Burgundy • 2004
Film
★6/10

Elf
Buddy • 2003
Film
★7/10

Old School
Frank • 2003
Film
★7/10

Boat Trip
Michael, Brian's Boyfriend (uncredited) • 2002
Film
★5/10

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Federal Wildlife Marshal Willenholly • 2001
Film
★6/10
