Will Ferrell hates his real first name
Will Ferrell, the comedian and actor, quickly grows tired of the topic when it comes to his birth certificate. For nearly 30 years, he has been in the entertainment industry, but under a false name. Therefore, he cannot stand being called by his real first name.
"Anchorman" actor Will Ferrell explains why he is never referred to by his birth names and dislikes being called that way. He grew up as Will, but his birth name is John Ferrell, as revealed by Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler in the latest episode of the "Messy" Podcast. He had intended to discuss the 20th anniversary of the comedy classic "Anchorman" with the actresses, but instead, he shared a painful childhood memory with Applegate.
Ferrell, who gained fame in the 1990s as a "Saturday Night Live" cast member, recalls that as a child, he believed that being funny was an easy way to make friends. However, his real name bothered him even then.
"It's a small thing in relation to - it's not really a trauma - but I remember how embarrassing it was because my real name is John, John William Ferrell. On the first day of school, the teacher called me John Ferrell, and it was so embarrassing to have to say, 'I'm Will, not John,'" Ferrell recalls. He had to explain himself repeatedly during the first few weeks. "I don't know why it was so embarrassing for me to say, 'I'm really Will,'" he added. "But it was unbearable for me."
The name change was not his choice. "My parents gave me the name John, but they called me Will. I grew up as Will, but legally, my name is John Ferrell."
Another issue in his life was that his really straight blond hair became curlier and curlier during his elementary school years. "The first day I was in junior high school, I couldn't comb my hair anymore," Ferrell brings up the next childhood trauma. "As the class clown, I still enjoy taking on that role today," he says. In the film "Barbie," he plays the CEO of Mattel, the toy manufacturer.
Ferrell's aversion to his birth name extends beyond his childhood, as he prefers to keep his real identity private in the glamorous world of Hollywood Entertainment. During an interview, he revealed that he often feels uncomfortable when people in the industry refer to him by his actual name, John Ferrell.
Despite his success in Hollywood, Ferrell's struggles with his identity continue to be a significant aspect of his Entertainment journey, further highlighting the complexities and perceived superficiality of the industry.
