Random Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Will Ferrell (25 items)

(#12) He Had His Share Of Odd Jobs Before His Career Took Off

Before SNL and his successful film career, Ferrell went through his share of odd jobs. He was a teller at a bank and a valet at the Newport Beach Meridien Hotel. Also, for five weeks he played Santa Claus at a mall in Pasadena CA, where friend and future co-star Chris Kattan also worked as an elf.
(#2) He And His Wife Are Avid Runners

You'd never guess it from his lap through the quad in Old School, but Ferrell is an avid runner. Both he and his wife ran the Boston Marathon in April 2003, where his official time was 4 hours, 2 minutes, and 29 seconds.

Two years prior, they ran the New York City Marathon together, and there his time was 5 hours, 1 minute, and 56 seconds.
(#18) He Is A Huge Advocate For The Cancer For College Organization

Ferrell has been friends with the Cancer for College founder Craig Pollard since they attended college together. The organization helps cancer survivors afford the often insurmountable costs of higher education. Since Craig founded the foundation, Ferrell has been helping and fundraising in every way he can, be it attending their annual golf tournament, throwing out pitches at baseball games, doing Reddit AMAs, or auctioning off wal-on roles in movies (which by itself raised over $50,000).

Ferrell calls Cancer for College “one of the purest charities he has ever seen,” and says the annual golf tournament is the highlight of his year.
(#9) He Pops Up In 'Kingpin'

In the Farrelly Brothers' 1996 film Kingpin there is a final bowling match between Woody Harrelson and Bill Murray. During the peak of the match, someone yells, "Ernie, you're the man!" That was a young Ferrell representing Team Murray.
(#10) He Loves That Cowbell Skit As Much As You Do

In an episode from SNL in 2000, Ferrell appeared alongside fellow castmates and host Christopher Walken in a skit poking fun at the quite noticeable cowbell part in the Blue Oyster Cult song "Don't Fear The Reaper." It became an instant classic among fans, and made a catchphrase out of Walken's line "Needs more cowbell."

Not only has Ferrell revisited the bit multiple times (during a hosting stint of SNL years later, and in the Beastie Boys music video "Make Some Noise") but spoke fondly about it up during a Reddit AMA in 2014: "I will say off the top of my head that my two favorite sketches that I was part of had to have been the Harry Caray space show with Jeff Goldblum and, of course the cowbell sketch with Christopher Walken."
(#5) He Loves That He And Chad Smith Look Alike

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Ferrell bear a striking resemblance to each other. Naturally, the pair love to use this resemblance in the service of comedy. They did just that on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, where they engaged in a "drum-off."

He said in his Reddit AMA, "It has been acknowledged many times that myself and Chad Smith, drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, share a resemblance to each other. A lot of people think that it's me playing for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But that would be an insult to Chad Smith. The truth of the matter is there is no Will Ferrell. Only Chad Smith."