
In 2015, a video went viral showing Will Ferrell hitting a cheerleader in the face with a basketball during a Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans game. Ferrell was filming for his upcoming film, Daddy's Home, in which he stars as a divorced man who re-enters the life of his ex-wife when she remarries. Ferrell was acting drunk as part of the scene and was faux-ejected from the stadium after the stunt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the person | Will Ferrell |
| Incident | Threw a basketball at a cheerleader's face |
| Incident date | 22 January 2015 |
| Incident location | Smoothie King Center in New Orleans |
| Incident occasion | Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans game |
| Movie | Daddy's Home |
| Cheerleader played by | TNA pro wrestler Taryn Terrell |
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What You'll Learn

Will Ferrell was filming a scene for Daddy's Home
Will Ferrell was filming a scene for *Daddy's Home*, a 2015 comedy film directed by Sean Anders, when he threw a basketball at a cheerleader's face. The scene was filmed during halftime of a real NBA game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In the film, Ferrell plays a mild-mannered radio executive and stepfather who tries to win the affection of his wife's children when their biological father, played by Mark Wahlberg, returns. During the scene in question, Ferrell's character, Brad Whitaker, attempts a half-court shot and accidentally hits a cheerleader in the face with the basketball.
The filming of the scene generated a lot of buzz, with videos of the incident quickly spreading on video-sharing sites like YouTube and Vine. Many people assumed that Ferrell was drunk and that the incident was not part of a movie. However, it was later clarified that the scene was for *Daddy's Home*, with some sources indicating that Ferrell's character was supposed to be drunk in that scene.
Ferrell himself commented on the experience of filming the scene, calling it "a blast" and noting the energy and momentum of shooting during halftime of an NBA game. He also mentioned that the crowd fell right in line with not knowing what was going to happen, adding to the excitement of the scene.
Daddy's Home was released on December 25, 2015, and grossed $242 million worldwide, making it Ferrell's highest-grossing live-action film at the time. Despite criticism for its lack of funny ideas, the film received praise for the performances and chemistry between Ferrell and Wahlberg.
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The cheerleader was a TNA pro wrestler
In 2015, a video went viral showing actor and comedian Will Ferrell hitting a cheerleader in the face with a basketball. The incident took place during halftime of an NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans. Ferrell appeared drunk in the video, and the crowd did not know what was happening. However, it was later revealed that the incident was part of the filming for the movie 'Daddy's Home', in which Ferrell stars as a mild-mannered radio executive who tries to become the best stepfather to his new wife's children.
The cheerleader in question was professional wrestler Taryn Terrell, also known as a TNA Knockout. Terrell took to Twitter after the incident, commenting on the unique experience of having Ferrell throw a basketball in her face. Terrell is a former WWE star and has appeared in other films, such as the Will Ferrell-Kevin Hart comedy 'Get Hard'.
Terrell's involvement in the movie scene was not widely publicized at the time, with most stories failing to mention her name or her affiliation with TNA. However, her appearance in "Daddy's Home" marked a unique intersection between the worlds of professional wrestling and Hollywood. Terrell's stuntwork and toughness were also noted, as she minimized the impact by moving her head to the side and purposefully took a fall after being hit by the basketball.
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Ferrell was dragged out of the stadium by security
Will Ferrell was dragged out of the stadium by security following the incident where he threw a basketball at a cheerleader's face. The entire episode was staged for his upcoming movie, 'Daddy's Home', where Ferrell plays a divorced man who re-enters the life of his ex-wife when she remarries. The scene was filmed at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans during halftime of the Lakers-Pelicans game.
Ferrell's character in the movie is that of a mild-mannered radio executive who is determined to become the best stepfather to his new wife's children. In the scene, Ferrell, acting drunk, attempts a half-court shot but ends up beaming the basketball at the cheerleader's face. The cheerleader, played by TNA pro wrestler Taryn Terrell, puts on a convincing performance, purposefully taking the fall after the ball hits her.
The crowd, unaware of the filming, reacted with surprise and confusion. Ferrell himself described the experience as a "blast", praising the crowd's energy and momentum. The stunt and its aftermath, including Ferrell being dragged out of the stadium by security, were captured on social media by fans and quickly went viral, generating curiosity and discussion online.
The security team's involvement in the stunt added to the realism of the scene and contributed to the viral nature of the incident. It is not uncommon for sports stadiums to have tight security measures, and the appearance of Ferrell being forcibly removed from the premises by security personnel heightened the drama and impact of the moment. This ultimately served to promote the movie, 'Daddy's Home', effectively generating buzz and interest from audiences.
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The video of the incident went viral
A video of Will Ferrell throwing a basketball at a cheerleader's face during a Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans game went viral in 2015. The incident, which occurred at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans during halftime, appeared to show Ferrell taking a half-court shot that accidentally hit a cheerleader in the face. The video sparked a lot of discussions and reactions online, with many people assuming that Ferrell was drunk and speculating about the reason for his actions. Some viewers expressed disappointment upon learning that the incident was staged for a movie, while others found it entertaining regardless of its context.
The video, which was shared on social media and YouTube, showed Ferrell attempting a half-court shot while appearing to be intoxicated. The basketball ended up hitting the cheerleader, who was later identified as a TNA pro wrestler named Taryn Terrell, in the face. Terrell took a realistic-looking fall, adding to the authenticity of the scene. The impact of the ball caused her to move her head, resulting in a glancing blow to the side of her head and neck. Despite the force of the throw, she remained standing and did not seem significantly affected.
The viral video sparked a lot of conversations and reactions online. Many people were shocked and concerned about the incident, especially since Ferrell appeared to be drunk. Some viewers speculated that his actions were due to someone having an affair with his wife, adding to the perception of his drunken state. However, others quickly recognized that the incident was likely staged for a movie, as they spotted Mark Wahlberg, Ferrell's co-star in the film "Daddy's Home," in the background.
The video's spread across social media platforms and online forums, such as Reddit and YouTube, contributed to its viral nature. People shared their thoughts and reactions, with some expressing disappointment that it was a staged scene, while others found the whole situation hilarious. The stunt effectively generated buzz and curiosity about Ferrell's upcoming movie, "Daddy's Home," in which he plays a divorced man who re-enters the life of his ex-wife and her new husband, portrayed by Linda Cardellini and Mark Wahlberg, respectively.
The viral video of Will Ferrell throwing a basketball at a cheerleader's face during a basketball game captured the attention of many and sparked a range of emotions, from concern and speculation to laughter and disappointment. The incident effectively promoted his upcoming film, "Daddy's Home," and showcased Ferrell's commitment to his comedic roles.
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Ferrell talks about nailing the cheerleader in the face
In 2015, a video of Will Ferrell hitting an NBA cheerleader in the face with a basketball went viral. The incident occurred during a Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans game and was part of the filming for his upcoming movie, Daddy's Home. In the film, Ferrell plays a mild-mannered radio executive who is determined to become the best stepfather to his new wife's children.
Ferrell, who was 47 or 48 years old at the time, recalled the experience of filming the scene:
> That was a blast. I don't know if [Mark Wahlberg's] ever done anything [like that]... We had six minutes there [at the Lakers game] at halftime to do this thing and prior to that, the front part of the scene where the kids are getting to meet Kobe [Bryant], so that energy and that momentum of having to do that that night was spectacular. The crowd fell right in line with not knowing what was going to happen and there I am drunk, in front of this crowd, so that was great.
Ferrell's co-star, Mark Wahlberg, plays the freeloading father of the children who suddenly reappears in their lives, forcing Ferrell's character to vie for their affection. Daddy's Home was released in late 2015, and also starred Linda Cardellini, Hannibal Buress, and Wahlberg.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Will Ferrell really did throw a basketball at a cheerleader's face.
No, the cheerleader was not hurt. She was played by a TNA pro wrestler, Taryn Terrell, who took a realistic-looking bump.
Will Ferrell threw a basketball at a cheerleader's face as part of the filming for the movie *Daddy's Home*. In the movie, Ferrell plays a mild-mannered radio executive who is determined to become the best stepfather to his new wife's children.
Will Ferrell threw a basketball at a cheerleader's face during halftime of a Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans game at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.



























