Will Ferrell in Elf.
What’syourfavorite color?
It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years sinceWill Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf said those memorable words in the beloved holiday filmElf,but in fact the movie turns 20 on Nov. 7, 2023.
The movie ended up taking in more than $225 million worldwide, becoming an instantly quotable classic.
“But,” he continued, “we just had the right combination of story and a great cast and Jon Favreau directing and obviously enough comedy and it all came together.”
Here, catch up with the cast then and now, and remember: The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
01of 10Will Ferrell as Buddy the ElfWill Ferrell in Elf and now.Alan Markfield/New Line Prods./Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Gabe Ginsberg/Getty ImagesFresh off of seven years onSaturday Night Live,Will Ferrellstarred as the suspiciously tall, titular elf, Buddy, who learns he’s actually a human and sets out on a quest to find his biological dad in New York City. Ferrell serves up constant laughs andquotable linesas a 30-year-old man-child devoted to love and the pure joy of the holidays in thisChristmas classic.SinceElf(2003) hit theaters, Ferrell has continued to deliver hilarious performances in films likeAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy(2004),Step Brothers(2008),The Campaign(2012),Get Hard(2015) andSpirited(2022).He has also voiced characters in animated films likeMegamind(2010),The Lego Movie(2014),Get Hard(2015) andBarbie(2023).Ferrell is equally active behind the scenes. In 2007, he founded Funny or Die, an online comedy streaming platform, withformer collaborator Adam McKay. The pair also executive produced HBO’sEastbound & Downand the critically acclaimedSuccession.In 2000, Ferrell married Swedish actressViveca Paulin, with whom he sharesthree sons, Magnus, Mattias and Axel.
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Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf
Will Ferrell in Elf and now.Alan Markfield/New Line Prods./Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images
Fresh off of seven years onSaturday Night Live,Will Ferrellstarred as the suspiciously tall, titular elf, Buddy, who learns he’s actually a human and sets out on a quest to find his biological dad in New York City. Ferrell serves up constant laughs andquotable linesas a 30-year-old man-child devoted to love and the pure joy of the holidays in thisChristmas classic.
SinceElf(2003) hit theaters, Ferrell has continued to deliver hilarious performances in films likeAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy(2004),Step Brothers(2008),The Campaign(2012),Get Hard(2015) andSpirited(2022).He has also voiced characters in animated films likeMegamind(2010),The Lego Movie(2014),Get Hard(2015) andBarbie(2023).
Ferrell is equally active behind the scenes. In 2007, he founded Funny or Die, an online comedy streaming platform, withformer collaborator Adam McKay. The pair also executive produced HBO’sEastbound & Downand the critically acclaimedSuccession.
In 2000, Ferrell married Swedish actressViveca Paulin, with whom he sharesthree sons, Magnus, Mattias and Axel.
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Zooey Deschanel as Jovie
Zooey Deschanel in Elf and now.Everett; Stefanie Keenan/Getty
Deschanel is best known for the seven years she spent starring as Jessica Day on Fox’sNew Girl,a role that snagged her anEmmynomination and threeGolden Globenominations. She has also appeared in countless big-screen hits, includingThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy(2005),Failure to Launch(2006),500 Days of Summer(2009),Our Idiot Brother(2011) andTrolls(2016).
An accomplished musician, Deschanel is known for her indie folk musical duo with M. Ward, She & Him. The pair have released seven studio albums and even received a Grammy nomination for the track “So Long,” featured inWinnie the Pooh(2011). Ward first heard Deschanel sing inElf, which prompted him to suggest a creative partnership.
In 2022, she began co-hostingWelcome to Our Show, aNew Girlrewatch-podcast with former costarsHannah SimoneandLamorne Morris.
In 2009, Deschanel married Death Cab for Cutie lead singerBen Gibbard, and in 2012,they divorced. She married film producerJacob Pechenikin 2015, with whom she shares two children,Elsie OtterandCharlie Wolf. Deschanel and Pechenikdivorcedin 2020 after five years of marriage.
Deschanel metProperty BrothersstarJonathan Scottin 2019on the set ofCarpool Karaoke, and theystarted datingshortly after sheannounced her plans to separatefrom Pechenik. The twoannounced their engagement in August 2023.
03of 10Daniel Tay as Michael HobbsDaniel Tay in Elf and now.Alan Markfield/New Line Prods./Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesDaniel Tay played Buddy’s stubborn half-brother Michael. At first, he isn’t sold on Buddy’s diet of candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup, but he is eventually won over when the two team up for a snowball fight.He joinedArtie LangeandRalph Macchioin 2006’sBeer Leagueand did voice acting inGrand Theft Auto, but has remained out of the spotlight since 2007’sBrooklyn Rules. Tay is now a teacher.
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Daniel Tay as Michael Hobbs
Daniel Tay in Elf and now.Alan Markfield/New Line Prods./Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Daniel Tay played Buddy’s stubborn half-brother Michael. At first, he isn’t sold on Buddy’s diet of candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup, but he is eventually won over when the two team up for a snowball fight.
He joinedArtie LangeandRalph Macchioin 2006’sBeer Leagueand did voice acting inGrand Theft Auto, but has remained out of the spotlight since 2007’sBrooklyn Rules. Tay is now a teacher.
04of 10Mary Steenburgen as Emily HobbsMary Steenburgen in Elf and now.Prods./Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo BankMary Steenburgenis Emily, who took the news that her husband fathered a son with another woman before they got married surprisingly well and welcomes Buddy with open arms — spaghetti breakfast, stolen Christmas tree, and all.The Academy Award-winning actress forMelvin and Howard(1980) boasted an impressive resume before joining the cast ofElf,and later reunited withFerrellfor his signature bro-comedy, Step Brothers (2008). In 2018, Steenburgen starred inBook Cluband its subsequent sequel alongsideDiane KeatonandJane Fonda. Her television career featured memorable arcs onCurb Your Enthusiasmand30 Rockand a lead role onZoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.Outside of acting, Steenburgen is apassionate songwriter. In 2013, she was signed to Universal Music, and in 2018, she composed a piece of music titled “Glasgow (No Place Like Home),” which was featured in the filmWild Roseand won her aCritics' Choice Award.Steenburgen married actor Malcolm McDowell in 1980, with whom she has two children: Lily, an actress, andCharlie, a director and screenwriter (andhusband to Lily Collins). McDowell and Steenburgen divorced in 1990, and shemarriedactorTed Dansonin 1995. She then became thestepmother to his two daughtersfrom his marriage to producer Cassandra Coates.
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Mary Steenburgen as Emily Hobbs
Mary Steenburgen in Elf and now.Prods./Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank
Mary Steenburgenis Emily, who took the news that her husband fathered a son with another woman before they got married surprisingly well and welcomes Buddy with open arms — spaghetti breakfast, stolen Christmas tree, and all.
The Academy Award-winning actress forMelvin and Howard(1980) boasted an impressive resume before joining the cast ofElf,and later reunited withFerrellfor his signature bro-comedy, Step Brothers (2008). In 2018, Steenburgen starred inBook Cluband its subsequent sequel alongsideDiane KeatonandJane Fonda. Her television career featured memorable arcs onCurb Your Enthusiasmand30 Rockand a lead role onZoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.
Outside of acting, Steenburgen is apassionate songwriter. In 2013, she was signed to Universal Music, and in 2018, she composed a piece of music titled “Glasgow (No Place Like Home),” which was featured in the filmWild Roseand won her aCritics' Choice Award.
Steenburgen married actor Malcolm McDowell in 1980, with whom she has two children: Lily, an actress, andCharlie, a director and screenwriter (andhusband to Lily Collins). McDowell and Steenburgen divorced in 1990, and shemarriedactorTed Dansonin 1995. She then became thestepmother to his two daughtersfrom his marriage to producer Cassandra Coates.
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Bob Newhart as Papa Elf
As Buddy’s adoptive dad,Bob Newhartbroke the news that his son is actually a human, not an elf, born to Walter Hobbs and the late Susan Wells. Papa Elf supports Buddy’s quest to meet his biological father in New York City, but appreciates it even more when Buddy and Jovie eventually return to the North Pole with a little elf of their own.
In 2006, Newhart released a memoir titledI Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This,chronicling his life as a comedian and incorporating material from his original routines.
Newhartmarried wife Ginniein 1963, and the two shared four children — Robert, Timothy, Jennifer and Courtney — and 10 grandchildren.Ginnie died in April 2023.
06of 10Amy Sedaris as DebAmy Sedaris in Elf and now.Snap Stills/REX/Shutterstock; Tibrina Hobson/Getty ImagesAmy Sedaris, an actress, comedian, and writer, signed on as Walter’squirky secretary Deb, whom Buddy thinks looks pretty enough to be on a Christmas card. While she doesn’t know how to declaw kittens, Deb can take direction and jumps on the intercom when she sees Walter opening up lingerie in his office.Beginning in 2014, Sedaris clinched a memorable voice acting role onBoJack Horsemanas Princess Carolyn, which earned her rave reviews. She also starred as the wacky Mimi Kanasis on Netflix’sUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidtand launchedAt Home with Amy Sedarisin 2017, which won a Writers Guild of America Award.She has racked up many guest appearances on shows likeHot in Cleveland,The Good WifeandThe Middle. A part of theStar Warsuniverse, Sedaris plays Peli Motto, a Mos Eisley repairwoman on Tatooine, in Disney+‘sThe MandalorianandThe Book of Boba Fett.Sedaris was in a relationship with actor and writer Paul Dinello for eight years. After the two split amicably, she was named godmother to his two children.
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Amy Sedaris as Deb
Amy Sedaris in Elf and now.Snap Stills/REX/Shutterstock; Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
Amy Sedaris, an actress, comedian, and writer, signed on as Walter’squirky secretary Deb, whom Buddy thinks looks pretty enough to be on a Christmas card. While she doesn’t know how to declaw kittens, Deb can take direction and jumps on the intercom when she sees Walter opening up lingerie in his office.
Beginning in 2014, Sedaris clinched a memorable voice acting role onBoJack Horsemanas Princess Carolyn, which earned her rave reviews. She also starred as the wacky Mimi Kanasis on Netflix’sUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidtand launchedAt Home with Amy Sedarisin 2017, which won a Writers Guild of America Award.
She has racked up many guest appearances on shows likeHot in Cleveland,The Good WifeandThe Middle. A part of theStar Warsuniverse, Sedaris plays Peli Motto, a Mos Eisley repairwoman on Tatooine, in Disney+‘sThe MandalorianandThe Book of Boba Fett.
Sedaris was in a relationship with actor and writer Paul Dinello for eight years. After the two split amicably, she was named godmother to his two children.
07of 10Jon Favreau as Dr. LeonardoJon Favreau in Elf and now.Alan Markfield/New Line Prods./Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesIn addition to directing this 2003 Christmas classic,Jon Favreauappeared as the doctor who confirms that Buddy is, in fact, Walter’s son.“For a year, I rewrote the script,” Favreau toldRolling Stonein 2013. “It turned into more of a PG movie from a PG-13. [Buddy] was a darker character in the script I had read originally. The character became a bit more innocent, and the world became more of a pastiche of the Rankin/Bass films. The studio [New Line] read it and agreed to make it, and that’s when I was brought on to direct.“Favreau continued to shine in front of and behind the camera, appearing inThe Break-Up(2006),I Love You, Man(2009) andTerm Life(2016), and directing and producing thelive-actionJungle Book(2016) and the live-action adaptation ofThe Lion King(2019) starringDonald GloverandBeyoncé.He has appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe sinceIron Man(2008) as Happy Hogan, a role he has reprised several times including all theTom Holland-starringSpider-Manfilms and on the Disney+ animated series of Marvel’sWhat If…?. Favreau also directed and produced the first twoIron Manmovies (2008, 2010), and served as a producer onIron Man 3(2013) and the fourAvengersfilms (2012–2019).Favreau is also responsible for jump-starting the live-actionStar Warsseries on Disney+, having createdThe Mandalorian(in addition to being one of its executive producers and directors). He executive produces and is a writer for its spin-off,The Book of Boba Fett, and isdeveloping additional serieswithin this universe with Dave Filoni.Favreau has been married to Joya Tillem, a physician, since 2000, and the couple shares two daughters, Madeleine andBrighton Rose, and a son, Max.
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Jon Favreau as Dr. Leonardo
Jon Favreau in Elf and now.Alan Markfield/New Line Prods./Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
In addition to directing this 2003 Christmas classic,Jon Favreauappeared as the doctor who confirms that Buddy is, in fact, Walter’s son.
“For a year, I rewrote the script,” Favreau toldRolling Stonein 2013. “It turned into more of a PG movie from a PG-13. [Buddy] was a darker character in the script I had read originally. The character became a bit more innocent, and the world became more of a pastiche of the Rankin/Bass films. The studio [New Line] read it and agreed to make it, and that’s when I was brought on to direct.”
Favreau continued to shine in front of and behind the camera, appearing inThe Break-Up(2006),I Love You, Man(2009) andTerm Life(2016), and directing and producing thelive-actionJungle Book(2016) and the live-action adaptation ofThe Lion King(2019) starringDonald GloverandBeyoncé.
He has appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe sinceIron Man(2008) as Happy Hogan, a role he has reprised several times including all theTom Holland-starringSpider-Manfilms and on the Disney+ animated series of Marvel’sWhat If…?. Favreau also directed and produced the first twoIron Manmovies (2008, 2010), and served as a producer onIron Man 3(2013) and the fourAvengersfilms (2012–2019).
Favreau is also responsible for jump-starting the live-actionStar Warsseries on Disney+, having createdThe Mandalorian(in addition to being one of its executive producers and directors). He executive produces and is a writer for its spin-off,The Book of Boba Fett, and isdeveloping additional serieswithin this universe with Dave Filoni.
Favreau has been married to Joya Tillem, a physician, since 2000, and the couple shares two daughters, Madeleine andBrighton Rose, and a son, Max.
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Peter Dinklage as Miles Finch
Peter Dinklage in Elf and now.New Line/courtesy Everett Collection; Steve Granitz/WireImage
When Walter brings in high-maintenance story creator Miles Finch as a last resort to crank out a hit children’s book in the fourth quarter, Buddy thinks he’s meeting a fellow elf — an “angry elf” at that.Peter Dinklagemasterfully threatens, “Call me an elf one more time.”
A prolific screen actor as well, he starred on HBO’sGame of Thronesfrom 2011 to 2019 as Tyrion Lannister, a role that won him the Primetime Emmy Award foroutstanding supporting actorin a drama series four times.
Dinklage and Schmidt, a playwright, have been married since 2005 and share two children.
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James Caan as Walter Hobbs
James Caanstarred as Buddy’s biological dad, a hardworking head honcho at Greenway Publishing — and a firm name on Santa’s naughty list. But after bonding with his long-lost son, Walter decides to put family first and says, “Up yours” to his demanding boss.
BeforeElf,Caan enjoyed a decades-long, prolific career, including his role as Sonny Corleone inThe Godfather(1972), which led him to Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actor.
Caan wasmarried four timesand shared a son,actor Scott Caan, with Sheila Marie Ryan.Caan diedon July 6, 2022, at age 82, from a heart attack due toa combination of heart problems.
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Ed Asner as Santa
Ed Asner in Elf and in the 2000s.Alan Markfield/New Line Prods./Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Post-Elf, Asner kept up the Christmas cheer, appearing in other holiday movies likeThomas Kinkade’s Christmas Cottage(2008),Home Alone: The Holiday Heist(2012) andSaving Christmas(2017). He acted on Netflix’sDead to MewithJames Marsdenand held a recurring guest role on Netflix’sCobra Kai.In 2021, Asner was featured in the Disney Halloween specialMuppets Haunted Mansion.
Asner’s first marriage was to Nancy Lou Sykes, with whom he had three children: Matthew and Liza and Kate, an actress. He then married Carol Jean Vogelman, with whom he had a son, Charles. In 1998, he married his third wife, Cindy Gilmore. Asnerfiled for divorcein 2015, eight years after they had separated.
Asner died in 2021at age 91 from natural causes.
source: people.com
