By Harry Haun
George W. Bush was Ferrell's prize target during his seven-year hitch as a "Saturday Night Live"-wire and it helped earn him a couple of 2001 Emmy nominations for performing and writing. When Ferrell left "SNL" for the big screen, he was its highest paid cast member, and his salary has grown proportionally in pictures. He is currently steady and holding as one of Hollywood's handful of "$20 Million Men" — and his movie grosses tend to justify the wage: "Elf" ($173 million), "Talladega Nights" ($150 million), "Blades of Glory" ($118 million) and "Step Brothers" ($100 million).
It begs the question, "How can he afford to do Broadway?" Ferrell keeps it primer-simple: "I've always thought if I could think of the right vehicle it would be wonderful to be on Broadway — to come to the theatre every night and be in that routine. Also, in the past couple of years, I'd done a few things in front of a live audience that were so much fun it really made me think. We did a 'Funny or Die' comedy tour last year — that's our comedy website [www.funnyordie.com]. It was in promotion of my movie "Semi-Pro," but over the course of three weeks we did eight colleges and Radio City Music Hall. Just being in front of those crowds was terrific. I know that this will be a real thrill."
20 Jan 2009
Where There's a Will Ferrell, There's a "W"
