If you haven’t had the chance to see the photo of Will Ferrell dressed as a disheveled Buddy the Elf, you’re in for a treat.
Last month, the comedian made headlines when he attended a hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Philadelphia Flyers on December 29. The game, which saw a 5-4 victory for LA, was marked by Ferrell’s unexpected appearance in a replica of the iconic costume from the Christmas classic Elf, which he wore over two decades ago.
This version of Buddy the Elf was different from what fans remember; he was holding a cigarette, had unkempt facial hair, and a pint of beer, giving off the impression of an elf who had just completed a tough shift at Santa’s workshop.
Ferrell spoke with FanDuel Sports Network reporter Carrlyn Bathe, sharing that “it was a tough holiday season” and expressing his hope for a Kings victory.
Soon after, speculation about a potential sequel to Elf began to circulate, but it turned out that such plans were never considered.
The renowned actor clarified the situation while appearing on the New Heights podcast, hosted by NFL players and siblings, Jason and Travis Kelce.
When questioned about his antics, Ferrell explained: “Buddy the Elf got laid off, I think, from the North Pole.
“He’s having a pull from his beer, smoking a cig. That was just… I get these weird ideas every now and then. We’re season ticket holders for the LA Kings. We have seats right on the glass.
“I told my wife, ‘Over the break, it would be funny if I just got a Buddy the Elf costume and didn’t shave for a week, and I’m just sitting there with a candy cigarette and I’m just gonna sit there for a period and see how people react.'”
He added: “The reaction was insane!
“Like, what is he doing? Is he promoting something? But occasionally I just like to do weird things like that just to stir it up.'”
Ferrell’s lively portrayal of Buddy in Elf was a key component of the film’s success, especially alongside his late co-star James Caan, who played Buddy’s father, creating a memorable duo.
Caan passed away in 2022, while Bob Newhart, known for his role as Papa Elf, also died in July of last year.
Earlier this year, Ferrell shared that Caan didn’t find him particularly amusing, as he recounted how Caan, famous for his role as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, mentioned he didn’t “get” Ferrell during an appearance on the MeSsy podcast with Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler.
“James Caan – may he rest in peace, and we had such a good time working on that movie – he would tease me,” Ferrell fondly remembered of his co-star.