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1.2: READING- Will Ferrell

  • Page ID
    352916
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    Will Ferrell

    Portrait photograph of comedian and actor Will Ferrell

    Will Ferrell is many things at once. He is an actor, a comedian, a writer, and a producer. He also lives in Orange County with his wife and three sons. Today, he makes comedy films, runs his own production company, and shares his sense of humor with audiences around the world. He is always working on something new.

    He acts in popular comedy films. Right now, he is probably filming another project, since he is working on several movies at the same time. He likes to play silly, confused, and over-the-top characters. His most famous roles are Buddy in Elf and Ron Burgundy in Anchorman. He is also producing films and television shows through his company, Gloria Sanchez Productions, and he mentors other comedians on their projects.

    At the same time, he is raising three sons with his wife, Viveca Paulin. He values his family life and keeps most of it private. He trains for marathons regularly, often running long-distance races in different cities, and he raises money for cancer survivor scholarships through his charity work.

    He is proud of where he comes from. His mother worked in education, and his father is a musician who plays keyboards and saxophone. Will is from Irvine, California — a quiet, master-planned suburb in the middle of Orange County. He often talks about how growing up in safe, peaceful Irvine shapes his comedy. He says that, without much drama in his suburban neighborhood, he needs to create it inside his own head. He still mentions his old elementary school, Turtle Rock, and his high school, University High, in interviews.

    Many people know him from his comedy films, but he is more than just a funny man. He is a hard worker, a long-distance runner, and a devoted father. He is always trying new types of roles, and he is constantly learning as a performer.

    His identity isn't simple. He is silly and serious, public and private, a famous comedian and a quiet family man. Will Ferrell shows that someone from a quiet Orange County suburb can be many things at once.

    Photo Attribution: Adam Chitayat, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Reading Comprehension and Discussion

    True or False?

    1. Will Ferrell has many different careers and roles in his life.

    Answer (True / False): _______________

    2. He grew up in a busy, dangerous neighborhood.

    Answer (True / False): _______________

    3. He is raising three sons while also running his own production company.

    Answer (True / False): _______________

    4. Will Ferrell is only known for his work on Saturday Night Live.

    Answer (True / False): _______________

    💬 Discussion Questions

    1. Will Ferrell has many different roles in his life. What are some roles you have now, and how do they shape your identity?

    Answer: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    2. Will Ferrell often talks about how growing up in Orange County shapes his sense of humor. How does the place where you grow up shape who you are?

    Answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


    1.2: READING- Will Ferrell is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Brent Warner, Irvine Valley College.

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