
Will Ferrell is one of the most beloved cast members in SNL history, often ranked with such SNL legends as John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
John William Ferrell was born in Irvine, California in 1967. The comedy bug first bit when he read his high school's morning announcements in different voices. After attending the University of Southern California - hoping to become a sportscaster - he became a member of the Los Angeles-based comedy troupe The Groundlings. While still at The Groundlings, he portrayed small parts in a few TV shows, eventually coming to the attention of SNL producers who brought him to the show in 1995.
Unlike other SNLers, Ferrell does not have a background as a standup comic, but he used this as a strength rather than as a crutch. Instead, his background comes from being able to inhabit different characters that he can draw humor from. In fact, Ferrell is known to be quiet and shy off-screen and was known in his school days as more scholar than clown.
After a shaky first season on SNL, he found his footing and soon grew to become an audience favorite, willing to go the extra mile for a laugh and completely inhabiting the many different characters and impressions he performed. Since leaving the show, he has enjoyed an extremely successful film career and is one of Hollywood's most in-demand (and best paid) comic actors.