Like him or not, you can't deny the simple truth that Will Ferrell is one of the busiest actors in Hollywood.
His latest film, "Land of the Lost," is the 25th movie role he's had since 2000. This includes feature films, such as "Step Brothers" and "Semi-Pro," voice-only roles such as "Curious George," and uncredited performances such as in "Wedding Crashers."
Ferrell, 42, just keeps churning out comedies. Not bad for a guy who was considered by many to be a disappointment when he joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1995 after a stint with the Groundlings comedy group in Los Angeles. He beat out Steve Carell to get that plum assignment.
Fast forward 14 years and Ferrell is now considered to be among the finest to come out of the "SNL" finishing school for comedians. And he's among the most popular film comedians in America.
Not all of his movies succeed. "Bewitched," based on the television series of the 1960s, is one that missed. But that doesn't stop him, and that's the mark of a pro.
Like many who have preceded him in Hollywood, Ferrell uses a lot of the same people in his movies. His stock company includes David Koechner and Andy Richter.
Here are six movies available on video and DVD that show off Ferrell's talents.
"Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" (2006) -- Ferrell's portrayal of a disgraced NASCAR driver seeking redemption is hilarious. Other stars include Dolton's own Jane Lynch, Chicago's own John C. Reilly, Gary Cole, Amy Adams and Sacha Baron Cohen.
"Old School" (2003) -- Ferrell considers this his breakout movie and who can disagree. This comedy about three guys (Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson being the other two) who start a college fraternity is laugh out loud funny. Other stars include Jeremy Piven, Ellen Pompeo, Juliette Lewis and Leah Remini.
"Blades of Glory" (2007) -- Ferrell teams up with Jon "Napoleon Dynamite" Heder in this comedy about two banned figure skaters who find a loophole that allows them to compete as a doubles team. Other stars include Will Arnett, "SNL" colleague Amy Poehler and Jenna Fischer.
"Elf" (2003) -- Ferrell stars as a super-sized North Pole elf who goes to New York to connect with his real family in this Christmas comedy. Other stars include James Caan as his real father, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner as Santa, Zooey Deschanel and Mary Steenburgen.
"Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" (2004) -- Ferrell stars as an oblivious television anchorman in 1970s San Diego whose life takes a turn when Christina Applegate joins him as co-anchor. Other stars include Paul Rudd, Seth Rogan, Steve Carell and David Koechner. Watch for the battle of the news teams with cameos by Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Tim Robbins and Luke Wilson as rival anchormen.
"Kicking & Screaming" (2005) -- Ferrell is a family man who gets the chance to coach his son's soccer team. That pits him against his win-at-all-costs father (Robert Duvall), a coaching legend. But Ferrell does have Mike Ditka (as himself) on his side. Other stars include Kate Walsh and Musetta Vander.
Nominate suggestions for future columns to bubbabong1@hotmail.com
His latest film, "Land of the Lost," is the 25th movie role he's had since 2000. This includes feature films, such as "Step Brothers" and "Semi-Pro," voice-only roles such as "Curious George," and uncredited performances such as in "Wedding Crashers."
Ferrell, 42, just keeps churning out comedies. Not bad for a guy who was considered by many to be a disappointment when he joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1995 after a stint with the Groundlings comedy group in Los Angeles. He beat out Steve Carell to get that plum assignment.
Fast forward 14 years and Ferrell is now considered to be among the finest to come out of the "SNL" finishing school for comedians. And he's among the most popular film comedians in America.
Not all of his movies succeed. "Bewitched," based on the television series of the 1960s, is one that missed. But that doesn't stop him, and that's the mark of a pro.
Like many who have preceded him in Hollywood, Ferrell uses a lot of the same people in his movies. His stock company includes David Koechner and Andy Richter.
Here are six movies available on video and DVD that show off Ferrell's talents.
"Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" (2006) -- Ferrell's portrayal of a disgraced NASCAR driver seeking redemption is hilarious. Other stars include Dolton's own Jane Lynch, Chicago's own John C. Reilly, Gary Cole, Amy Adams and Sacha Baron Cohen.
"Old School" (2003) -- Ferrell considers this his breakout movie and who can disagree. This comedy about three guys (Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson being the other two) who start a college fraternity is laugh out loud funny. Other stars include Jeremy Piven, Ellen Pompeo, Juliette Lewis and Leah Remini.
"Blades of Glory" (2007) -- Ferrell teams up with Jon "Napoleon Dynamite" Heder in this comedy about two banned figure skaters who find a loophole that allows them to compete as a doubles team. Other stars include Will Arnett, "SNL" colleague Amy Poehler and Jenna Fischer.
"Elf" (2003) -- Ferrell stars as a super-sized North Pole elf who goes to New York to connect with his real family in this Christmas comedy. Other stars include James Caan as his real father, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner as Santa, Zooey Deschanel and Mary Steenburgen.
"Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" (2004) -- Ferrell stars as an oblivious television anchorman in 1970s San Diego whose life takes a turn when Christina Applegate joins him as co-anchor. Other stars include Paul Rudd, Seth Rogan, Steve Carell and David Koechner. Watch for the battle of the news teams with cameos by Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Tim Robbins and Luke Wilson as rival anchormen.
"Kicking & Screaming" (2005) -- Ferrell is a family man who gets the chance to coach his son's soccer team. That pits him against his win-at-all-costs father (Robert Duvall), a coaching legend. But Ferrell does have Mike Ditka (as himself) on his side. Other stars include Kate Walsh and Musetta Vander.
Nominate suggestions for future columns to bubbabong1@hotmail.com
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