Will Ferrell recently shared some insights about his early career struggles, particularly his initial rejection from Saturday Night Live (SNL). In his new Netflix documentary, Will and Harper, he reflects on those early days and how his fellow cast members initially doubted his sense of humor.
In the documentary, Ferrell recounts a road trip he took with his longtime friend and SNL writer, Harper Steele, after she publicly came out as a trans woman. During their travels, Ferrell opened up about how he felt when he first joined SNL, saying, “I was trying to get to know everyone, and there was this group of people looking at me like, ‘We don’t get what this guy does. He doesn’t seem that funny.’”
Steele, who has been a supportive friend throughout Ferrell’s journey, added her perspective, recalling, “That first week we went to lunch, and there was just something about the two of us that clicked—we were on the same wavelength.” She also chimed in on the general perception of Ferrell at the time, saying, “They all thought Will Ferrell was a dud. But I just knew he wasn’t.”
As they traveled through various cities and rural areas, Ferrell mentioned how he sometimes relied on his fame to break the ice with strangers. Their journey became not just a road trip but a deep dive into personal and emotional discussions about their lives and Steele’s journey to live authentically.
Harper opened up to Ferrell about the challenges of embracing her true identity. She shared, “My whole writing career, my whole creative life, I performed as a character named Andrew. That’s how I see it. Coming out to my friends was tough, and I can’t really tell if they see me as Harper now or if they still think of me as Andrew in a dress.”
The documentary also features appearances from other notable SNL alumni, including creator Lorne Michaels, Fred Armisen, Tina Fey, Will Forte, Colin Jost, Tim Meadows, Seth Meyers, Tracy Morgan, Paula Pell, Molly Shannon, Kristen Wiig, and more.
Will & Harper is currently available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a glimpse into Ferrell’s career and Steele’s inspiring journey.