Will Ferrell admits to being ‘so embarrassed’ by his real name during childhood and jokes ‘it’s the lamest thing ever’
WILL Ferrell has revealed how his real name truly made him feel during his childhood.
Earlier this week, the Elf actor made a special appearance on Anchorman co-star Christina Applegate’s podcast MeSsy she shares with Jamie-Lynn Sigler.
On Tuesday’s episode, Will, 56, sat down with Christina, 52, to discuss a wide range of topics including the 20th anniversary of their 2004 comedy.
During their sit down, the Dead To Me actress talked to Will about his childhood and being a part of groups and said that “being funny was an easy way to make friends.”
Will then told the podcast hosts what his legal name is.
The Daddy’s Home star said, “This is a minor thing in terms of — it’s not really even trauma — but I remember feeling so embarrassed because my real name is John, John William Ferrell.
“So first day of school, I’d be John. The teacher would be like ‘John Ferrell?’ and it was so embarrassing to me to have to say ‘Here, but I go by Will, I don’t go by John.’ “
‘IT WASN’T MY CHOICE’
During his first week of school, Will revealed the “excruciating” feeling about having to wait until his teachers remembered that he went by Will and not John.
“It wasn’t my choice,” he said.
Will began to explain that his parents called him Will.
“I grew up as Will, but on a rule sheet, my legal name is John Ferrell.”
He added that kids would ask him why he had to correct the teachers every time they could call him by his preferred name.
“I don’t know why that was so embarrassing to me to have to explain ‘I’m actually Will.’
“People are probably going to be listening to this going ‘That is the lamest thing ever,'” he joked.
Christina added, “We just lost anyone named John.”
I grew up as Will, but on a rule sheet, my legal name is John Ferrell.
Will Ferrell
During another part of the podcast, Christina revealed that she is working on a memoir.
“I’m writing it right now,” she told her listeners.
MORE ABOUT WILL
Will Ferrell was born on July 16, 1967, in Irvine, California – a city in Orange County.
The actor rose to fame on Saturday Night Live between 1995 and 2002.
During his time on the late-night NBC comedy show, Will impersonated many public figures including former news anchor Brian Williams, Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner, singer Elton John, and politician Al Gore.
Throughout the years, Will has portrayed many iconic characters in film including Buddy from Elf, Brennan Huff from Step Brothers, and Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
His most recent film was Despicable Me 4 which was released on July 3, 2024, in the United States.