MEGAMIND

WILL FERRELL (Megamind / Space Dad) has come a long way since his days on "Saturday Night Live,” crossing over from television icon to motion picture star (his last film, "The Other Guys” has grossed $151 million worldwide since its release in August.)

Ferrell was recently seen in the independent feature "Everything Must Go,” directed by Dan Rush and based on a Raymond Carver short story. The film premiered at the 2010 Toronto Film Festival and will be released next spring by Roadside Attractions.

In 2006, Ferrell, demonstrating that his dramatic gifts equal his comedic talents, he earned his second Golden Globe nomination (Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical) for his portrayal of IRS agent Harold Crick in "Stranger Than Fiction,” starring opposite Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Maggie Gyllenhaal for director Marc Forster.

That same year, Ferrell starred in the hit comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” with co-stars John C. Reilly and Sacha Baron Cohen. Earning nearly $150 million at the U.S. box office, the film became the season's #1 comedy (non-animated) and continues to set records on DVD. In the summer of 2004, Ferrell starred in the comedy "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” for DreamWorks Pictures, which grossed over $85 million domestically. Ferrell co-wrote the script with writer Adam McKay. Judd Apatow produced, with David O. Russell ("Three Kings)” executive producing.

Ferrell's previous film credits include "Zoolander,” "Elf,” the Woody Allen feature "Melinda and Melinda,” the comedies "Semi-Pro,” "Bewitched” and "Old School,” and the screen adaptation of "The Producers,” which earned Ferrell his first Golden Globe nomination in 2006 for Best Supporting Actor. In 2009, Ferrell debuted on Broadway by headlining the sold out, one-man comedy show "You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush.” Nominated for a Tony Award in the Best Special Event category and directed by longtime collaborator, Adam McKay, Ferrell perfected his infamous "Saturday Night Live” character of President George W. Bush. At the end of its Broadway run, HBO aired a live special, which went on to garner three Emmy Award nominations.

In 2007, Ferrell and McKay founded the video website Funnyordie.com. The comedy video website contains exclusive material from a number of famous contributors, including Judd Apatow and Jack Black, and has its own "Funny or Die Team” ("FOD Team”) which creates original material for the site. The site's first video, "The Landlord,” has received over 55 million views and features Ferrell confronted by a swearing, beer-drinking two-year-old landlord. In June 2008, the site announced a partnership with HBO to develop television projects.

Following their website success, Ferrell and McKay teamed together again to open their own production company, Gary Sanchez Productions. So far, they have supported the 2006 Sundance hit "The Foot Fist Way,” starring Danny McBride ("Tropic Thunder”), who also co-wrote with director Jody Hill. The film was released last May by Paramount Vantage. Gary Sanchez recently produced the first season of HBO's dark comedy series "Eastbound & Down,” starring Danny McBride. The show's second season began in September.

Raised in Irvine, California, Ferrell attended U.S.C. and graduated with a degree in sports information. Upon graduation, he worked as a sportscaster on a weekly show broadcast over a local cable channel. Soon after, he enrolled in acting classes and stand-up comedy workshops at a nearby community college, and was eventually asked to join the esteemed comedy/improv group The Groundlings after just one year of training. It was at The Groundlings that Ferrell was discovered for "Saturday Night Live.”

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