Random Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Will Ferrell (25 items)

(#2) He And His Wife Are Avid Runners

You'd never guess it from his lap through the quad in Old School, but Ferrell is an avid runner. Both he and his wife ran the Boston Marathon in April 2003, where his official time was 4 hours, 2 minutes, and 29 seconds.

Two years prior, they ran the New York City Marathon together, and there his time was 5 hours, 1 minute, and 56 seconds.
(#10) He Loves That Cowbell Skit As Much As You Do

In an episode from SNL in 2000, Ferrell appeared alongside fellow castmates and host Christopher Walken in a skit poking fun at the quite noticeable cowbell part in the Blue Oyster Cult song "Don't Fear The Reaper." It became an instant classic among fans, and made a catchphrase out of Walken's line "Needs more cowbell."

Not only has Ferrell revisited the bit multiple times (during a hosting stint of SNL years later, and in the Beastie Boys music video "Make Some Noise") but spoke fondly about it up during a Reddit AMA in 2014: "I will say off the top of my head that my two favorite sketches that I was part of had to have been the Harry Caray space show with Jeff Goldblum and, of course the cowbell sketch with Christopher Walken."
(#23) He's Not ACTUALLY The Worst Autograph Signer

Autograph Magazine named Ferrell the worst celebrity autographer. The magazine's editor stated: "What's so frustrating about Will Ferrell being the worst autograph signer this past year is that he used to be so nice to fans and collectors and a great signer. What makes him so bad is that he'll taunt people asking for his autograph." Ferrell responded by saying, "I don't know how I got on the list. I sign a lot of autographs."

He has, however, admitted to taunting autograph-seekers: "I do. I really do. I'm like, 'How badly do you want this autograph?' 'Are you sure?' 'You say you're my biggest fan, really, prove it.' I'll do things like that. They have to earn it."
(#22) He Had Planned To Bribe Lorne Michaels With Fake Cash To Secure His Spot On 'SNL'

Ferrell had an interesting idea to get SNL producer Lorne Michaels's attention during his first audition:

I had read how Adam Sandler, in his meeting with Lorne, had humped a chair and had him laughing so hard, he signed him on the spot. So I thought, I'm gonna go in there and be funny. I had a briefcase full of fake money, and as Lorne starts talking, I was gonna open it and start stacking piles of money on his desk. 'Lorne, you can say whatever you want, but we all know what really talks. And that's cold, hard cash. Now, I'm gonna walk outta here. You can take the cash if you want. Or not.' And then just leave and not come back.
(#12) He Had His Share Of Odd Jobs Before His Career Took Off

Before SNL and his successful film career, Ferrell went through his share of odd jobs. He was a teller at a bank and a valet at the Newport Beach Meridien Hotel. Also, for five weeks he played Santa Claus at a mall in Pasadena CA, where friend and future co-star Chris Kattan also worked as an elf.
(#7) There's A Backstory Behind The Piano Key Tie In 'Zoolander'

In the 2001 film Zoolander, Ferrell plays Mugatu, a fashion mogul. The character's claim to fame is creating the piano key necktie, an invention that coincidentally relates to Ferrell's father. Lee Ferrell, was the keyboardist (and also saxophonist) for The Righteous Brothers.