10 Of Will Ferrell's Finest Movie Moments

Will Ferrell is without doubt one of America's favourite comics having been nominated for numerous awards throughout his career including an Emmy, two Golden Globes and several MTV Awards - one of which he finally won in 2007 for Best Kiss in 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby' after locking lips with 'Borat' star Sacha Baron Cohen. 

It's no surprise then that Will Ferrell is to receive the inaugural Comedic Genius Award for his comedy achievements at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards which will air in the UK on April 15th 2013; though we do think an award should be made to go to the Will Ferrell Twitter page (@WillFerreI) for his frequently hysterically funny posts. Anyway, to celebrate his well-deserved accolade, here are ten of our favourite movie roles from one of the most entertaining American comedians in Hollywood history.

Ron Burgundy ('Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy')

Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy in 'Anchorman'

This arrogant and womanising news anchor is probably what most people know him best for, as well as it being the personality archetype that he most often reprises in his movies. He is the very famous star of San Diego's KVWN-TV Channel 4 Evening News who initially epitomises narcissism and misogyny before being shamed and fired by his boss, but ultimately winding up, as the often do in Hollywood, as the lovable and remorseful hero. It does leave one wondering what kind of person he will return as in the sequel though, and we have little room to speculate as not much has yet been revealed about the plot.

Jacobim Mugatu ('Zoolander')

Will Ferrell as Jacobim Mugatu in 'Zoolander'

Mugatu is probably Ferrell's best villain role. He is a scheming fashion magnate with a haircut very similar to his pet poodle's and he is involved in an undercover fashion industry program that aims to assassinate political figures who threaten commerce in the business. They use models as hit-men due to their general lack of intelligence and passivity, but Mugatu's plan to brainwash Derek Zoolander into murdering the Prime Minister of Malaysia goes horribly wrong after several anonymous tip-offs, and he is ultimately locked up for his crimes. In the movie, he owns the design brand 'Derelicte' which is based on real life designer John Galliano who is known for taking inspiration from everyday objects for his clothing lines.

Buddy Hobbs ('Elf')

Will Ferrell as Buddy Hobbs in 'Elf'

Without doubt, 'Elf' is one of the most lovable Christmas movies since the turn of the century and an unexpected role for Ferrell. We see him drop his usual egotistical character for one of a more naïve and polite nature as Buddy, a human man who was raised by elf parents after accidentally hitching a ride with Santa as a baby. During the course of the movie, he sets out to find his real parents while baffling the human community with his unusual habits and obliviousness to social norms. Buddy is definitely one of the more likable of Ferrell's zany characters.

Chazz Michael Michaels ('Blades of Glory')

Will Ferrell as Chazz Michael Michaels in 'Blades of Glory'

This guy's persona isn't too different from Ron's; he takes his masculinity and his fame very seriously and is equally as keen on the ladies. However, this time he's a sporting hero; an Olympic gold medallist in figure skating matched only by the extremely effeminate Jimmy MacElroy. Unfortunately, his machismo soon betrays him when he starts a fight with Jimmy causing the both of them to be stripped of their prestigious titles and banned from men's figure skating forever. The pair realise that the only way they can compete again is to team up for pair skating and they are forced to work together and put aside their differences.

Big Earl ('Starsky & Hutch')

Will Ferrell as Big Earl in 'Starsky & Hutch'

Okay, so it may only be a cameo appearance but Ferrell's role as an eccentric, hairnet-donning prisoner makes for one of the funniest scenes in the whole movie. He is an associate of a drug lord who Starsky and Hutch are on a mission to expose and has some information that he will not divulge to the duo until they perform a series of embarrassing acts in front of him after they go and visit him in jail. It's one of the more ridiculous moments of the flick which makes for a hilarious adaptation to the 1970s TV series. It goes to show that Ferrell can steal a show even with the briefest of appearances.

Harold Crick ('Stranger Than Fiction')

Will Ferrell as Harold Crick in 'Stranger Than Fiction'

Here Ferrell plays a character in a character, starring as the uninteresting tax auditor of author Karen Eiffel's latest tragic novel but who also happens to be a real person who goes about his life hearing Karen's voice narrating his every move. The lack of distinction between fiction and real life is not an uncommon idea to be raised in a movie, but Ferrell brings a new sense of hilarity in an otherwise foreboding plot that earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor on its release in 2006.

Megamind ('Megamind')

Will Ferrell as Megamind in 'Megamind'

Megamind isn't the first animated character Ferrell has provided the voice for, but the strength of this character really makes you wonder why he hasn't been more prolific in this department. The character is an alien supervillain loosely based on the DC Superman villains Brainiac and Lex Luther and, as is probably obvious, has super-intelligence. However, after apparently killing his arch rival Metro Man, his villainy means nothing and he is forced to become a hero when he creates a new enemy that threatens the entire city. It's certainly the most interesting of his roles though his evilness fails to match that of his 'Zoolander' character.

Frank Ricard ('Old School')

Will Ferrell as Frank Ricard in 'Old School'

Frank 'The Tank' is another one of Will Ferrell's smaller roles; he is the main character Mitch Martin's friend known for his binge-drinking and heavy-partying days at college. Despite getting married and convincing his wife that he has changed for the better, he slips back into bad habits and ends up getting so inebriated during Mitch's party that he goes streaking in the street. He is caught by his wife, however, who is so disappointed she asks for a divorce and Frank ends up moving in with Mitch. Frank is one of Ferrell's more pathetic characters but he certainly gives 'Old School' that extra college fraternity touch. 

Ricky Bobby ('Talladega Nights')

Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby in 'Talladega Nights'

Ferrell takes on the role of another sporting champion in this Formula 1 comedy. Ricky is a NASCAR racer who has had the drive to go fast ever since he was a small child. After becoming a major figure in Dennit Racing, he is beaten on the track by flamboyant French racer Jean Girard and Ricky fails to keep his spot on his team when his confidence drops to an all-time low. The movie sees him learn that not coming first doesn't make him a loser, but failing to continue his passion does and his view on his life is enriched. It's one of the more morally robust comedies that Ferrell has starred in, but ultimately sees him in some of the most absurd scenarios of his movie career.

Detective Allen Gamble ('The Other Guys')

Will Ferrell as Detective Allen Gamble in 'The Other Guys'

Gamble is one of his more unpredictable roles. He is a good-natured and considerate detective whose job it is to look into fraud and other financial crimes, though he is partnered with the frustrated and very bad-tempered Detective Terry Hoitz. However, unbeknownst to many, Gamble has previously been hospitalised for the darker and more aggressive part of his personality that begins to surface as the duo take on a dangerous case involving a fraudulent millionaire and multiple counts of murder. Having previously been laughed at for not being the most formidable of law enforcers, they become the real heroes of story despite their unconventional personas. It's a fine example of Ferrell's acting skills, being able to change his character's personality with perfect ease.

This year we can also look forward to the sequel of 'Anchorman', possibly the funniest of all Will Ferrell movies, which is set for release in December under the title of 'Anchorman: The Legend Continues' and also sees the return of Paul Rudd and Steve Carell in their respective role reprisals. From a comic actor of this calibre and after the enormous success of the original movie, we'll be expecting nothing less than a first class performance come the winter.