
Will Ferrell is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer, known for his comedy films and television work. In 2008, Ferrell starred in the basketball film 'Semi-Pro', playing Jackie Moon, a basketball player, team owner, and coach. Ferrell reprised his role as Jackie Moon in 2022, making a surprise appearance at an NBA game and successfully making a half-court shot. However, during a Pelicans-Lakers game, Ferrell accidentally hit a cheerleader in the face with a basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the person | Will Ferrell |
| Profession | Actor, Comedian, Writer, and Producer |
| Date of Birth | July 16, 1967 |
| Basketball shot incident | Threw a basketball that hit a cheerleader during a Pelicans-Lakers game |
| Location of the basketball shot incident | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans |
| Film promotions | Dressed as Jackie Moon from the movie "Semi-Pro" during a Golden State Warriors game |
| Movie promotions | Scary Movie 6, Daddy's Home |
| Awards | Six Primetime Emmy Awards, One British Academy Television Award, Two Golden Globe Award nominations, and One Tony Award nomination |
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What You'll Learn

Will Ferrell's basketball shot in the 2008 film 'Semi-Pro'
In the 2008 sports comedy film Semi-Pro, Will Ferrell stars as Jackie Moon, a singer who uses the profits from his one-hit wonder, "Love Me Sexy", to buy a basketball team in the American Basketball Association (ABA), the Flint Tropics. Jackie Moon is the owner, coach, and player of the struggling basketball team. The film is set during the final season of the ABA and tells the story of a fictional ABA team desperate to survive the league's merger with the NBA.
In one scene, Ferrell's character, Jackie Moon, attempts an Evel Knievel-style jump on roller skates before a game. In another scene, he wrestles a 7+1⁄2-foot-tall, 700-pound male grizzly bear named Rocky to promote his basketball team. A stuntman and trainer, Randy Miller, doubled for Ferrell during the wrestling match with the bear.
In March 2022, Ferrell dressed as his character from Semi-Pro and joined the Golden State Warriors for warm-ups before their game against the Los Angeles Clippers. During this appearance, Ferrell also made a half-court shot and worked on his foul shots alongside Warriors star Stephen Curry.
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Ferrell's surprise appearance at a Pelicans-Lakers game
Will Ferrell made a surprise appearance at a Pelicans-Lakers game in New Orleans, taking over the court during halftime to attempt a half-court shot. However, the comedian's stunt probably wasn't what fans were expecting. Instead of making the shot, Ferrell accidentally threw the basketball into the face of a Pelicans cheerleader. The cheerleader, Taryn Terrell, is a TNA pro wrestler who took a realistic-looking fall. Ferrell was then dragged out of the stadium by security, with the whole scene being captured on social media by fans.
The stunt was staged for Ferrell's upcoming comedy film, 'Daddy's Home', which he was filming in Louisiana alongside Mark Wahlberg. Ferrell was also seen at the game with his youngest son, Axel, who wore a LeBron James jersey. Ferrell has been a regular at Lakers games with his three sons.
Ferrell has a history with basketball, having starred in the 2008 basketball film 'Semi-Pro', in which he portrayed a basketball star. Ferrell dressed up as his character, Jackie Moon, during warm-ups with the Golden State Warriors before their game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Ferrell also hit a half-court shot and worked on his foul shots alongside Warriors star Stephen Curry.
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Ferrell's high school basketball team
Will Ferrell, the American actor, comedian, writer, and producer, was the captain of his high school basketball team. Ferrell, who was born in 1967, first attended school at Culverdale Elementary and later went to Rancho San Joaquin Middle School, both in Irvine. He then attended University High School in Irvine, California, where he was a member of the basketball team and served on the student council.
Ferrell's love for basketball continued into his adult life, as he went on to star in the 2008 basketball film "Semi-Pro." In the movie, set during the final season of the American Basketball Association, Ferrell portrayed Jackie Moon, a singer who buys a basketball team in the ABA, the Flint Tropics, becoming the owner, head coach, starting power forward, and pre-game announcer. The film also starred Woody Harrelson, André 3000, and Maura Tierney.
Ferrell's character in "Semi-Pro" has left a lasting impression, with the actor even reprising the role during a surprise appearance at a Golden State Warriors game in 2022. Ferrell, dressed in a vintage-style headband and his Jackie Moon jersey, joined the team for warm-ups and successfully made a half-court shot on his second try. He also worked on his foul shots alongside Warriors star Stephen Curry, shooting underhand.
In addition to "Semi-Pro," Ferrell's other basketball-related ventures include a surprise appearance at a Pelicans-Lakers game in New Orleans, where he attempted a half-court shot but accidentally hit a cheerleader in the face with the basketball. This incident inspired a scene in the film "Daddy's Home," in which Ferrell stars as a mild-mannered radio executive vying for the affection of his stepchildren against their freeloading father, played by Mark Wahlberg.
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Ferrell's other film roles
Will Ferrell is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He first rose to fame in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, where he performed from 1995 to 2002. Ferrell has since starred in numerous comedy films, including A Night at the Roxbury (1998), Elf (2003), Anchorman (2004), Kicking & Screaming (2005), Talladega Nights (2006), Blades of Glory (2007), Step Brothers (2008), and The Other Guys (2010). He has also taken on more dramatic roles in films such as Stranger than Fiction (2006), Everything Must Go (2010), and Downhill (2020).
Ferrell has lent his voice to several animated films, including Curious George (2006), Megamind (2010), and the Lego Movie franchise (2014-2019). He has also produced several films and television series, including the documentary Will & Harper (2024) and the drama series Succession (2018-2023). In addition to his film and television work, Ferrell is known for his love of sports and has made several appearances at basketball games, often in character from his movies.
One of Ferrell's most memorable film roles was in the 2008 sports comedy Semi-Pro, where he portrayed Jackie Moon, the owner, player, and coach of a struggling basketball team called the Flint Tropics. Ferrell's character is famous for the aging disco hit "Love Me Sexy." The film also starred Woody Harrelson, André 3000 (credited as André Benjamin), and Maura Tierney. Semi-Pro received generally negative reviews from critics, who criticized the script but praised Ferrell's performance.
Ferrell has also appeared in other sports-related films, such as Talladega Nights, Blades of Glory, and Kicking & Screaming. In 2022, he dressed up as his character from Semi-Pro and joined the Golden State Warriors for warm-ups before their game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Ferrell's appearance included shooting hoops and a speech to the team, which helped lift their spirits after a losing streak.
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Ferrell's career as a comedian and actor
John William Ferrell, born on July 16, 1967, in Irvine, California, is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Ferrell's career in comedy and acting began when he became interested in performing while a student at University High School in Irvine. He would make the school's morning announcements in disguised voices. Ferrell went on to join the Los Angeles comedy/improvisation group The Groundlings, where he met fellow cast members Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph, and future Saturday Night Live (SNL) repertory players such as Laraine Newman, Jon Lovitz, and Phil Hartman. It was also at The Groundlings that Ferrell met Chris Kattan, and the two would later join the cast of SNL.
Ferrell first established himself in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, where he performed from 1995 to 2002. During his time on the show, Ferrell became known for his impersonations and a wide range of characters, including his portrayal of George W. Bush during the 2000 elections. He is considered by some to be the greatest SNL cast member ever. Since leaving SNL, Ferrell has pursued a career in films, starring in a string of comedy movies.
Ferrell's film career took off after starring in the 2003 comedy "Old School," which earned him a place in the "Frat Pack," a group of leading Hollywood comic actors who emerged in the late 1990s and 2000s, including Jack Black. Ferrell has since starred in numerous comedy films, including "Anchorman" (2004), "Talladega Nights" (2006), "Blades of Glory" (2007), "Step Brothers" (2008), "The Other Guys" (2010), and "Get Hard" (2015). He has also taken on dramatic roles in films like "Stranger than Fiction" (2006) and "Everything Must Go" (2010).
In addition to his live-action roles, Ferrell has provided voice acting for several animated films. He has voiced characters in "Curious George" (2006), "Megamind" (2010), "The Lego Movie" franchise (2014-2019), and "Despicable Me 4" (2024). Ferrell has also produced several television series, including "I'm Sorry" (2017-2019), "Dead to Me" (2019-2022), and "Drunk History" (2013-2019). He received four Primetime Emmy Awards for his work as a producer on the drama series "Succession" (2018-2023) and for the specials "Live in Front of a Studio Audience" (2019-2022).
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Frequently asked questions
Will Ferrell reprised his role as Jackie Moon, a basketball star he portrayed in his 2008 movie "Semi-Pro".
In "Semi-Pro", Jackie Moon is a singer who uses the profits from his one-hit wonder, "Love Me Sexy", to buy a basketball team in the American Basketball Association (ABA), the Flint Tropics, becoming the owner, head coach, starting power forward, and pre-game announcer.
Yes, Will Ferrell made a half-court shot and also worked on his foul shots on the free-throw line.
Yes, Will Ferrell was the captain of his high school basketball team.
Yes, during a surprise appearance at a Pelicans-Lakers game, Will Ferrell attempted a half-court shot but instead threw the basketball into the face of a Pelicans cheerleader.











































