We need more cowbell in order to celebrate properly.
Saturday Night Live alum and movie star in his own right as Frank "The Tank" Richard in Old School and as Buddy the Elf, Will Ferrell is almost 50 (but not quite) today. He is 49.
A California native and active athlete, Ferrell graduated from USC, but didn’t get very far as an actor until he joined The Groundlings comedy troupe in 1994. It was there where he and Chris Kattan created the Butabi Brothers. In 1995, Ferrell began a seven-year stint on Saturday Night Live where he grew famous for his impressions of President George W. Bush; James Lipton, the Inside the Actors Studio host; even Shaft and one of his most endearing performances was in his more cowbell sketch with Christopher Walken spoofing the Blue Öyster Cult song "(Don't Fear) The Reaper."
While still starring on Saturday Night Live, Ferrell appeared in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, A Night at the Roxbury, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Zoolander.
His stardom continued to grow and he appeared in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and its sequel, as well as Talladega Nights, Step Brothers and lent his voice in A Lego Movie.
In 2014, Ferrell and Chad Smith drummer for Red Hot Chili Peppers (a.k.a. Will Ferrell lookalike) appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for a charity drum-off battle. Wherein, despite a poorer performance, Ferrell was named the winner and awarded a giant gold cowbell.
Ferrell married Swedish actress Viveca Paulin in 2000 and they have three sons.
He is an original member of Hollywood’s “Frat Pack” and continues to make audiences smile.
Happy Birthday Will Ferrell!