Will Ferrell's 5 Best Movie Performances

His accolades include 3 Emmy wins from 16 nominations, 2 Golden Globe nominations and 1 Tony nomination

Since his big break on Saturday Night Live, Will Ferrell has become a staple of American Comedy movies. From dumbfound to anger-filled, his characters are always sure to bring a smile to your face. Question is, which are his best?

Below, we’ve listed off Ferrell’s 5 best performances on screen.

5. Buddy in Elf (2003)

One of the actor’s first leading roles. It was even directed by Iron Man‘s Jon Favreau.

Elf tells the story of a human who is raised in The North Pole by the little toymakers. Upon him realising he isn’t like everyone else, he heads off on a journey to find his father…who happens to be on the naughty list.

With supporting cast members such as James Caan, Mary Mary Steenburgen and Ed Asner, Ferrell definitely had his work cut out. But, he definitely holds his own. The Groundlings alumni plays naive, lovable Buddy perfectly. This is the type of role he didn’t really seem to stick to for the rest of his career.

With the film going on to be a Christmas favourite, it’s no surprise that New Line Cinema wanted to get a sequel made. But, Ferrell reportedly turned down the offer in late 2013. The offer included a whopping $29 million wage. Jeesh.

4. Frank “The Tank” Ricard in Old School (2003)

FRANK THE TANK, FRANK THE TANK! Surely you know the chant by now?

Old School, directed by a pre-Hangover trilogy Todd Philips, tells the story of three men who seek to relive their glory days of college. How do they do this? By starting their own fraternity. Ferrell’s character, Frank, is shown to now be a calm and responsible adult. That is until he returns to his hardcore drinking days and rebirths…Frank The Tank.

This film makes it easy to see why Ferrell got a great reputation for playing characters who get over excited and shout-y. His streaking scene is one for the ages.

Ferrell was actually fully naked whilst filming the streaking scene, even though it was being filmed in front of a 24-hour gym. The actor justified this by saying it shown Frank truly falling off the wagon. Sure, Will.

3. Detective Allen Gamble in The Other Guys (2010)

The movie that brought Ferrell and Wahlberg together.

Directed by Adam McKay, the flick features the two stars as nobody detectives who work to earn the respect of their fellow officers.

Ferrell amplifies his performance from Old School. He doubles down on the trope of the mild mannered gent who has inner demons from his past waiting to be unleashed. It’s fair to say, he gets to have a few more outbursts this time round, and his paring with Wahlberg is genius.

At the time, this was Will Ferrell’s second highest grossing film worldwide after 2003’s Elf.

2. Brennan Huff in Step Brothers (2008)

A film that at least one person you know will be able to quote.

Also directed by McKay, Step Brothers has Ferrell and John C. Reilly as Brennan and Dale, two grown men who live with their single parents. When their parents get married, the two men must learn to live in the new family home together, with hysterical consequences.

No doubt, Ferrell plays the immature Brennan in the best way. You couldn’t imagine anyone else playing the role. likewise for Reilly. Their pairing is not to be messed with, and we can only pray that one day there will actually be a sequel.

Ferrell and Reilly were said to have done their own singing and drumming respectively throughout the film.

1. Ron Burgandy in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy (2004)

Of course this was going to be at number one.

Anchorman tells the story of 70s news anchor Ron Burgundy, the top news reporter in San Diego. He and his news team all but rule the city, until a female anchor, played by Christina Applegate, enters the fold and shakes everything up.

As an over the top satire on the 1970s and Action News, the film helps to play to Ferrell’s pantomime-esque portrayal of this self obsessed man. With comedic co-stars such as The Office‘s Steve Carell and Role Models‘ Paul Rudd, it’s fair to say that the actor was going to be very comfortable in the theme of the film.

I guess you could say that Ferrell brought a bit of himself to this role also. He actually graduated from college with a degree in Journalism, and even anchored the local news here and there before breaking into the comedy scene.

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What’s your thoughts on our top 5 Will Ferrell performances? Think we chose the right ones? Let us know in the comment section below!

Will Ferrell’s 5 Best Performances