He was born in Irvine, California on July 16, 1968. His career first started at the University of South California where he graduated with a degree in Sports Information. After his graduation, he started working as a sportscaster on a weekly cable show, but then later found his interests in acting and stand-up comedy. He then enrolled in some acting classes. In only one short year of training, he was invited to join The Groundlings. The Groundlings are a small comedy improve group. Working with The Groundlings quickly lead to his discovery by the world famous comedy show, Saturday Night Live or SNL. From then on, he was an unknown comedian making his way to the top. After a few years of working with SNL, he was offered to be a main character in the movie A Night At The Roxbury.

In 1995 Will became a feature cast member at Saturday Night Live during the show's rapid recasting. He was declared quite possibly the worst cast member ever during his first season. However, his talents of impersonations and range of characters shot him forward to making him arguably the greatest SNL cast member ever. While Ferrell has portrayed many unforgettable characters; among his most popular recurring personas include: his send-up of President George W. Bush, musical middle school teacher Marty Culp with wife Bobbi (played by Ana Gasteyer), Professor Klarvin the overly amorous ?lover? and husband to Virginia (played by Rachel Dratch), and Spartan Spirit cheerleader Craig. Among his many impressions are Attorney General Janet Reno, who ended her tenure with the Clinton administration by doing the twist with Will live on ?Saturday Night;? Alex Trebek; ?Inside the Actors Studio? host James Lipton; lounge singer Robert Goulet and the late great Chicago Cubs sportscaster, Harry Caray. Ferrell?s latest films are the new Kevin Smith film ?Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back? and the Ben Stiller comedy ?Zoolander.? In 1998, Ferrell brought his swinging SNL character to the big screen in ?A Night at the Roxbury? which he co-wrote with fellow cast member Chris Kattan and Steve Koren. He has also appeared in SNL Studios features ?The Ladies? Man? and ?Superstar.? In 1997, Ferrell made his feature film debut as ?Mustaffa? in the hit comedy ?Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.? He returned in the blockbuster sequel ?The Spy Who Shagged Me.?