Will Ferrell, actor, comedian and star of Elf, Anchorman and Zoolander has spoken about the need for a “thick skin” when writing comedy during a special Life in Pictures event.
The American started his career like many great comedians before him, on US TV show Saturday Night Live, and over the last decade has cemented his status as one of America’s funniest men. But, speaking in front of a live audience in London he admitted: “You need a thick skin to write comedy. When it’s written off the top of your head only fifty percent is good. It’s disposable.”
A wide-ranging talent
During the course of his career, Ferrell has delighted with everything from impressions on Saturday Night Live to more dramatic roles in Melinda & Melinda and Everything Must Go.
Discussing his work with Francine Stock on Tuesday 4 October, at the Vue Cinema in Leicester Square, the talented actor said:
“I tried stand up but I knew I was a comedic actor. I need a dramatic context. I try to make people laugh through character.”
Ferrell started out with a succession of smaller parts in films like Zoolander (2001) alongside Ben Stiller, where he stole the show as an eccentric fashion-designer-cum-terrorist Mugatu. All of which helped bolster his career to become a bonafide Hollywood star.
Since starting out he has stolen the show in many box office hits such as; Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Anchor Man: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Elf, Stranger than Fiction. More recently he has also had box-office success with a different side to his usual acerbic wit with Everything Must Go.
