Though I can’t claim to be Will Ferrell’s biggest fan, I must admit that his career is nothing short of remarkable. I don’t often watch his movies or SNL skits, but somehow, he’s always there!
I see memes using his reactions or characters online and the occasional gif here and there on Twitter (currently X) and Facebook.
Of course, this was all I needed to start my little research into Will Ferrell’s net worth, back story, and career!
His journey from getting a B.A. in sports information to being one of the biggest names in comedy is truly fascinating. Let’s give it a look together, shall we?
Will Ferrell’s Net Worth
Will Ferrell wasn’t just a comedian—at least, not just that! He ventured far beyond the limits of his skits and got into moves, shows, voice acting, and podcasts.
All this hard work left him with an amazing fortune of $160 million! Surprisingly, it didn’t take him long to build this fortune.
His career kickstarted with SNL in 1995, and by 2001 he was their highest-paid member, earning around $17,500 per episode!
Image source: Google
After leaving SNL and transitioning into acting, his paycheck started in the low millions, eventually soaring to $20 million per film—a number that has remained steady ever since!
As for real estate, Will owns a mansion in LA that he bought from Ellen DeGeneres in 2009 for less than $10 million. According to the market, this home would be double that amount today!
Early Life
Growing up, Will Ferrell’s childhood was just as normal and quiet as you’d hope any kid’s childhood to be.
However, it was somehow “too” boring. There was something about living in a peaceful, quiet neighborhood that made Will crave more.
Let’s start from the top, shall we?
Our comedian was born John William Ferrel on July 16, 1967, in Irvine, California.
His mother worked as a teacher, while his father was a musician in a band called the Righteous Brothers. They had only two kids, Will and Patrick.
Image source: Google
Using Wit and Humor to Make Friends
In school, he played football, was on the soccer team, captained the Basketball team, and was even on the school council.
Still, none of that was enough to kill the ennui of everyday Irvine life! That’s when Will noticed how jokes with a bit of a shock value got his classmates to crack up and be more friendly.
An “accidental’ fall or a head smash against the wall was always a success that got everyone laughing.
This made him lean more toward humor and developing his funny side. So, Will continued to shake things up throughout high school and all the way to college.
He used to wear a janitor’s outfit and walk into his friends’ classrooms or sneak around campus with a couple of friends from his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta.
Eventually, Will graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in sports information.
Yet, that’s not what he wanted to do with his life. So, he worked as a teller at Wells Fargo for a while and a valet at a hotel, but mistakes and trouble always seemed to follow.
Eventually, his mother pushed him to travel to Los Angeles and pursue his dreams!
Starting His Career
When Will moved to LA, he auditioned for a comedy group called The Groundlings. There, he took his time to develop his talent and grow his improvisation skills.
During his time at the Groundlings, he created memorable characters like the Butabi Brothers, which later inspired a cult film, A Night at the Roxbury 1998.
However, his path truly took him to stardom when he joined Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 1995–his impersonations stole the show!
From George W. Bush to Harry Caray, he mastered political figures, entertainers, and even fictional characters like Gene Frenkle in the infamous “More Cowbell” Sketch!
By the start of the 21st century, Will became SNL’s highest-paid cast member, earning around $350,000 per season.
He left SNL in 2002 and only returned as a guest host several times in the following seasons.
Getting Into Movies
Will Ferrell didn’t tip-toe into the big screens; he waltzed to them!
After he left SNL, he had his breakout role with Old School (2003), followed by his iconic lead in Elf (2003), showing everybody what a great actor he could be.
Image source: Google
Films like Anchorman (2004) and Talladega Nights (2006) highlighted his signature humor, while Stranger Than Fiction (2006) showed his dramatic potential.
In 2008, Will co-starred in Step Brothers, a cult favorite with frequent collaborator John C. Reily. Will also dabbled with voice acting in Megamind (2010) and The Lego Movie (2014, 2019).
He also had a one-man Broadway show, You’re Welcome America, where he gave a satirical farewell to George W. Bush in 2009.
Thriving as an Actor and Modern Day Work
In 2012, Will starred in Casa de Mi Padre, a telenovela-inspired comedy. During that same year, he teamed up with Zach Galifianakis in the political satire The Campaign, which had a lukewarm reception.
There are a few film highlights from this period, including Daddy’s Home (2015) and its sequel in 2017, alongside Zoolander 2 (2016).
Image source: Google
Will also tried his hand at podcasting in The Ron Burgundy Podcast in 2019, later launching the Big Money Network to highlight comedy content.
Will’s schedule was full by the start of 2020. He teamed up with Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Downhill, a remake of Force Majeure.
Moreover, he starred alongside Rachel McAdams in the musical comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of First Saga.
In 2023, he hilariously portrayed the Mattel CEO in Greta Gerwid’s Barbie and produced and starred in Quiz Lady.
This year, 2024, you can watch Will’s documentary on Netflix, Will & Harper, which talks about a touching road trip with his best friends.
Personal Life
After a bit of digging, I discovered that Will Ferrell has only been in one known romantic relationship! He met Swedish actress Viveca Paulin in 1995 and they married five years later.
Today, they have three sons and split their time between their homes in NYC and Orange County, California.
Image source: People
Will is also a proud alumnus of the University of Southern California, where he was an active member—remember his pranks with his fraternity?
On top of that, his humor and commitment to charity often intertwine! He’s run marathons, including Boston and Stockholm, and supports cancer survivors through campaigns.
Quick Recap
After exploring Will Ferrell’s net worth and the journey behind it, I must say that his success gave me hope.
When he didn’t want to get into sports media with his B.A., he simply chose a different path. It was a bumpy one, but he put one foot in front of the other and followed his passion.
Today, his net worth is estimated at $160 million, built on a foundation of witty humor, iconic roles, and smart career moves!
Featured image source: Pinterest