Viveca Paulin

Early Life and Education

Viveca Birgitta Paulin was born in Askim, a district in the Gothenburg Municipality of Sweden. She later moved to the United States to pursue higher education and attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991.

Acting Career

Paulin has appeared in a few supporting roles in film and television. One of her more notable appearances was in the 1998 comedy A Night at the Roxbury, which starred her husband, Will Ferrell. Though her acting career has been limited, it has spanned both independent and commercial projects.

Career as an Auctioneer and Art Collector

In addition to her work in film, Viveca Paulin is an established figure in the Los Angeles art scene. She began her auctioneering career working independently for esteemed auction houses, including Bonhams and Butterfield & Butterfield. She is currently affiliated with Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA), where she conducts sales and remains actively involved in promoting modern and contemporary art.

Personal Life and Collaborations with Will Ferrell

Viveca Paulin married Will Ferrell in 2000, and together they have three sons. The couple is known for maintaining a strong, supportive partnership both in private life and on occasional public appearances. Paulin memorably joined Ferrell on the final episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien while visibly pregnant. Later that same day, she gave birth to their third son, Axel.

During the finale performance, Paulin took on the role of Dawn, fictional wife to Will Ferrell’s rock persona, as the group — including Conan O’Brien, Billy Gibbons, Beck, Ben Harper, Max Weinberg, and The Tonight Show Band — closed the show with a rendition of “Free Bird.”