Will Ferrell has made a name for himself — and a massive net worth — over the past three decades as one of America’s greatest comedians, a transcendent voice known for his physical humor, commitment to tracks and characters. iconic. It captivated older generations during its 1990s time on Saturday Night Live, then after several critically acclaimed cameos (like in Zoolander and Austin Powers), officially made the leap to movies with the classic Old School comedy in 2003.
Since then, Ferrell has appeared in some of the genre’s most groundbreaking films, from Elf and Anchorman to Talladega Nights and Eurovision Song Contest. During this time, he also flexed his acting skills, appearing in animated films like Megamind and The Lego Movie. In his next film, Strays, an animated comedy about a dog who is abandoned by his owner and then swears revenge, he will once again use his signature voice. Strays is set to arrive in theaters on August 18, 2023.
It’s safe to say that Will Ferrell’s career is legendary (almost as legendary as Ron Burgundy), but let’s take a look at his net worth and how he got started.
How did Will Ferrell become famous?
Will Ferrell was born in Irvine, California in 1967, the son of a teacher and a musician (who, funny enough, played for the Righteous Brothers). When he was 8, his parents divorced and he found solace in making others laugh.
“Growing up in the suburbs, in a safe, planned Irvine, there was no drama, so we had to create it in our heads. My main form of entertainment was making my friends laugh and exploring new ways to be funny,” Ferrell said in an interview with the Orange County Register. “I didn’t have to have the instinct for survival mode like the other comics, which grew up in tough neighborhoods. I had the opposite. For me, I grew up in Mayberry, and the humor broke the boredom. And there was something to laugh about.
Will Ferrell’s interest in the arts grew along with his interest in sports, so when he enrolled at USC for college, he chose to study sports broadcasting. He graduated and found an internship at a local TV station, but decided it wasn’t for him. After his mother urged him to pursue a dream, Will Ferrell moved to Los Angeles and joined The Groundlings, an improv comedy group.
After minor successes that included small roles in movies and shows across Los Angeles, Ferrell was asked to audition for Saturday Night Live. He joined the cast in 1995 and became one of the show’s most famous actors.
In 2002, Will Ferrell quit Saturday Night Live and started acting in movies. His first major film hits were Old School’s Midlife Crisis Examination (2003) and Elf (2003), the story of a man raised at the North Pole. And his success only grew from there.
Outside of acting, Will Ferrell has branched out into executive producing (The Other Guys, Succession and Eastbound & Down) and podcasting (The Ron Burgundy Podcast). He also started Funny or Die with director Adam McKay in 2007, a website dedicated to online comedy shorts that launched the careers of many famous comedians today.
Will Ferrell never lost his interest in the sport. In 2016, he became co-owner of the newest Major League soccer team, Los Angeles FC, alongside other famous owners like Magic Johnson and Mia Hamm.
Over the years, Will Ferrell has developed his own style of comedy and has become a household name. We may be a long way from his Saturday Night Live stardom (creator Lorne Michaels once said he was among the top two or three comedians to ever appear on the show), but he’s turned his hits into other great efforts during his 30 years. career.
What is Will Ferrell’s net worth?
Comedian Will Ferrell’s net worth is estimated at $160 million. That doesn’t just come from acting — at one point he was one of the highest-paid actors in the world, earning more than $20 million per movie — but from other endeavors like Funny or Die, the sports property, sponsorships and real estate.
Related: Will Ferrell’s Wife Viveca Paulin
How much does Will Ferrell make per movie?
Will Ferrell has appeared in over 80 movies and 55 TV shows, covering all budgets and styles. Because of this, the amount Will Ferrell earns per movie varies. While he certainly acted in low-budget films, in the mid-2000s, when he was among Hollywood’s highest-grossing actors, he demanded over $20 million per role (for films like Kicking & Screaming, Semi-Pro, and Talladega Nights), one of the highest ratings of all time.
How much was Will Ferrell paid for Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy?
After the success of his major debut as a lead with Old School, Will Ferrell showed his big-screen success was no fluke as Ron Burgundy in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. He reportedly earned $7 million for Anchorman, but it would be the last time in nearly a decade that his salary would be this low.
How much was Will Ferrell paid for Elf?
Elf was Will Ferrell’s second box office hit. He was reportedly paid a whopping $17 million for that movie alone, more on par with what his talents would dictate in the mid-2000s. He was reportedly offered $29 million to star in an Elf sequel, but he couldn’t put his heart into it, so he turned it down.
Related: 15 Fun Facts About Elf
How much was Will Ferrell paid for Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby?
Will Ferrell captivated a comic generation with Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, a film about a mentally underdeveloped but charismatic and successful NASCAR star. He is reported to have earned $20 million on this film, as it came during one of his most successful eras; Will Ferrell dictated this salary for many other movies he made around the same time, such as Semi-Pro, Kicking & Screaming, Bewitched, and Land of the Lost.
How much did Will Ferrell get paid for Saturday Night Live?
In 2001, Will Ferrell reportedly became one of Saturday Night Live’s highest-paid cast members, with a season salary of $350,000. Ferrell was on the show for seven seasons from 1995 to 2002, and so while negotiating his contract for the past few years, he earned a handsome sum.
How Much Will Ferrell Earn On Sports Ownership And Executive Production?
Will Ferrell makes money from many other ventures, including but not limited to his ownership of the Los Angeles FC football team and his executive production roles in television and film. At one point, his Funny or Die digital web company alone was worth $300 million. It was also reported in 2023 that Los Angeles FC were worth $1 billion, becoming Major League Soccer’s first billion dollar team just nine years after joining the league with a reported valuation of $110 million. . Will Ferrell’s real estate holdings also contribute to his net worth, with his property in Los Angeles worth around $20 million.
Next, the best parts of Will Ferrell
