There are not many entertainers in Hollywood like Will Ferrell who can boast of having a family life that is as successful as their careers. The comedian has been able to reach great heights as a comic, actor, writer, and businessman thanks to the people he is surrounded by; from Will Ferrell’s parents to his wife and kids.
Ferrell gained fame in the 90s when he became a cast member of the late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show, Saturday Night Live. The funnyman soon metamorphosed into a comic actor and writer, creating some of the funniest films ever produced. These include hit movies like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Step Brothers, and The Other Guys among many others.
In addition to his exploits in the film and comedy business, Will Ferrell is also a businessman. In 2016, he became a part-owner of the Major League Soccer team, Los Angeles FC. All these have afforded him the finest things of life but when all is said and done, the California native remains a family man who loves spending as much time as he can afford with those that matter the most.
What We Know About Will Ferrell’s Family
His Father Has Toured With Famous Music Bands
Will Ferrell is a product of a broken home, something that many suggest is a contributing factor to why he is committed to building a steady home not wanting a repeat of what happened to his parents.
At around the age of 8, Will’s parents; Roy Lee Ferrell and Betty Kay Overman divorced. The pair was amicable about it as they both remained active in their son’s life. There was, however, one problem – the fact that the senior Ferrell worked as a musician. Roy played both the piano and saxophone with bands such as the Righteous Brothers. He has also played backup for the famous Dick Dale. His songs have since been featured in his son’s movies, notably the song “Brother” which was used in the 2008 comedy film, Stepbrothers.
Will Ferrell’s Mother Encouraged Him To Follow His Passion
Will Ferrell’s mother Betty Kay (née Overman) worked as a teacher to provide for her family. She taught both at Old Mill School elementary school and Santa Ana College.
Betty noticed her son was struggling to find success in things he had gotten involved with after graduating from college with a degree in sports information. Will notably worked as a valet and as a teller at Wells Fargo where he was error-prone and careless in doing his job. It was around this time that his mother stepped in and encouraged him to pursue something that he genuinely liked.
Being a funnyman from his school days, Will decided to move to Los Angeles where he joined an improv group known as The Groundlings, and the rest became entertainment history.
Will Ferrell Met His Wife When He Wasn’t Yet Famous
In 2000, Will Ferrell walked down the aisle with a certain Viveca Paulin and both have since remained married. Born in Askim, Gothenburg Municipality, Sweden, on the 24th of April, 1969, Viveca is two years younger than her husband. In 1991, she earned a Bachelor’s degree from Claremont’s Pomona College.
Will and Viveca met at an acting class in Los Angeles way back in 1995 when Ferrell’s career was still at its budding stages. Their relationship did not immediately kick off as their friendship was interrupted by Ferrell’s move to New York to begin working on SNL. Both remained in touch and when a brief hiatus from SNL saw the comedian return to LA, they could not deny their feelings for each other and got romantically involved.
Of their romance, Will Ferrell has said that what attracted Viveca to him was his sense of humor. The Swedish woman does have some entertaining prowess as well. She is an occasional actress who has appeared in films such as Chris Tucker’s Money Talks (1997) and A Night at the Roxbury (1998) which also stars her husband. Outside of acting, she works as an art auctioneer and is an active member of the Los Angeles art community. She once worked as an independent auctioneer for clients that included Bonhams and Butterfield & Butterfield.
Will Ferrell and His Wife Have Three Kids
Will Ferrell’s family is made up of him, his wife Vivec Paulin, and their three sons. The couple chose to give each of their three kids Viking-like names as well as their mother’s surname as their middle names. Evidently, the first son is named Magnus Paulin Ferrell and he was born on the 7th of March 2004. The second child, Mattias Paulin Ferrell, was welcomed to the world on the 30th of December 2006 while the third son Axel Paulin Ferrell was born on the 23rd of January 2010.
The Ferrell Boys Have All Appeared In A Movie
Unlike some Hollywood stars, Will Ferrell isn’t overly concerned about his kids being in the spotlight as they occasionally appear at award shows. They were also present with their mother when their father received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
A proud father, Ferrell regularly speaks about his experiences with his kids on talk shows. About his parenting style, the funnyman once revealed that as much as he tries to teach his sons to be responsible, he also makes sure to let them have moments when they can just be kids.
All three boys have further had the chance of appearing in their father’s movie as they appeared in a Seaworld scene in the second Anchorman movie. This remains their only role in front of the camera and it remains unclear if any of them would follow in their father’s footsteps.
Living in their palatial LA home, the Ferrell children are friends with kids of other celebrities. Actor Mark Whalberg revealed that Magnus was friends with his daughter Ella and that they follow each other on Instagram.