John William Ferrell was born on July 16, 1967, in Irvine, California, to Roy Lee Ferrell, a musician, and Betty Kay Ferrell, a schoolteacher. He spent his childhood in Irvine alongside his younger brother. Ferrell attended Turtle Rock Elementary School, followed by Rancho San Joaquin Middle School, and later graduated from University High School in Irvine.
The structured and somewhat uneventful atmosphere of Irvine is often credited with sparking his creative interest in comedy. During his school years, he frequently sought to entertain classmates by crafting jokes and participating in various comedic performances—many of which he wrote himself. Ferrell pursued higher education at the University of Southern California, where he earned a degree in sports information in 1990.
After college, Ferrell worked a series of odd jobs before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy. In 1994, he joined the renowned improv comedy troupe The Groundlings, which helped him refine his comedic voice and stage presence. Prior to this, Ferrell appeared in small television roles on shows such as Living Single and Grace Under Fire.
Ferrell’s major breakthrough came in 1995 when he became a cast member on Saturday Night Live (SNL). His talent for impersonations—most notably George W. Bush, Alex Trebek, and Harry Caray—earned him widespread acclaim. He remained on SNL until 2002, leaving with a solid reputation and a loyal fan base that would follow him into his film career.
Although Ferrell made an uncredited film debut as a newscaster in the 1994 movie Criminal Hearts, his major film roles began shortly after his success on SNL. His early film appearances included Mustafa in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), as well as Al in Men Seeking Women (1997).
Ferrell’s career gained momentum in the 2000s with standout performances in a series of successful comedies. Notable roles include Jacobim Mugatu in Zoolander (2001), Frank "The Tank" Ricard in Old School (2003), Buddy in Elf (2003), and Ron Burgundy in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004). He continued to demonstrate his comedic range in films such as Wedding Crashers (2005), Stranger Than Fiction (2006), Blades of Glory (2007), Daddy’s Home (2015), and Zoolander 2 (2016).
| Birth Date: | 16 Jul, 1967 |
| Age: | 52 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Irvine |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor, writer, and comedian |
| Spouse: | Viveca Paulin [M. 2000] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 160 million |
