Will Ferrell biography

Following a signature role in the 2003 box office hit Old School (2003), Ferrell turned in a memorable, funny, and money-making performance as Buddy in the film, Elf. Other hits followed in the form of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky and Bobby (2006), Blades of Glory (2007), and Step Brothers (2008). It's a body of work that has lumped Ferrell into what the media describes as the "Frat Pack,

" a name derived from the movie Old School that refers to a group of comedic actors including Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Steve Carell, Owen Wilson, and Luke Wilson.

Ferrell's likeable, popular personality was on display at the 2003 Boston Marathon, when the actor ran and successfully completed the race in a time of just over four hours. It might have been better had he not been deluged with fans and fellow runners. "Kids were running next to me, snapping pictures," Ferrell said. "Runners were running up ahead and then having their buddies stand next to me, snapping. It was insane."

Off Camera

While generally regarded as quiet and unassuming offset, the intensely private Ferrell hasn't been afraid to put his politics out on the frontlines a bit. His portrayal of Bush was far from flattering, and his refusal to meet with the President while he was still in office, despite overtures from his staff, spoke volumes about his feelings about the politician. Ferrell chalked it up in part to "comedic purposes" out of fear of being influenced by him. But politics did play a role. "The other side of it is, from a political standpoint, I don't want to meet that guy," he said.

In early 2009, Ferrell gave President Bush a going-away present to some degree when he reprised his impersonation of the outgoing president for a one-man Broadway show called You're Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush. Ferrell's longtime comedic collaborator, Adam McKay, a former SNL writer, directed the show.

Not long after, Ferrell branched out into something entirely different: his own sunscreen lotions. The product, which features a scantily clad Ferrell, comes in three types: Sun Stroke, Sexy Hot Tan, and Forbidden Fruit. All of the sales proceeds will benefit the charity Cancer for College's College Willpowered Scholarship Fund, which hands out scholarships to cancer survivors and amputees. "I've always dreamed of owning a lotion company," Ferrell told reporters when the product debuted. "And I've always hated cancer."

As Ferrell's career has taken off, so has his personal life. In August 2000, Ferrell married his longtime girlfriend, Viveca Paulin, a Swedish-born art auctioneer. Both big dog fans, the couple was the proud owners of three dogs when they became parents in 2004. Their son, Magnus Paulin Ferrell, was born March 7th of that year. A second son, Mattias, arrived in December 2006. The family currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

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