Andrew Pace
Will Ferrell is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer, known for his roles in comedy films. Ferrell was a part of the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2002 and has since starred in several comedy films, including Anchorman, Elf, and Talladega Nights. Ferrell is also a former basketball team captain and has starred in the basketball-themed comedy film Semi-Pro, which is available on Amazon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the movie | Semi-Pro |
| Genre | Sports comedy |
| Year of release | 2008 |
| Star cast | Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Andre Benjamin, Maura Tierney, Will Arnett, David Koechner, Andy Richter, Rob Corddry, DeRay Davis, Jackie Earle Haley |
| Director | Kent Alterman |
| Writer | Scot Armstrong |
| Producer | Jimmy Miller |
| Plot | A one-hit-wonder singer who buys a basketball team and becomes the player-coach |
| Availability on Amazon | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Will Ferrell's character in Semi-Pro
In the 2008 sports comedy film Semi-Pro, Will Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, a one-hit-wonder singer who uses the profits from his only hit single to buy a basketball team. His team, the Flint Michigan Tropics, is the worst in the league, and the franchise is under threat when the ABA and NBA announce plans to merge. As the owner, player, and coach of the Tropics, Jackie is determined to do whatever it takes to win the league and save his team.
Jackie Moon is famous for his aging disco hit "Love Me Sexy", and he is known for his over-the-top promotions to boost attendance at his team's games, including wrestling a bear. In one scene, he introduces a player from Lithuania, referencing the country's history as part of the Soviet Union to add comedic effect. Ferrell appeared in character as Jackie Moon in TV spots for Old Spice deodorant, and an official costume of his Semi-Pro uniform was released for Halloween in 2008.
Semi-Pro also stars Woody Harrelson as Ed Monix, an aging former NBA Champion point guard, and André Benjamin as Clarence Withers, a player who dreams of making it to the NBA. Maura Tierney plays Lynn, Ed's love interest, while Andy Daly takes on the role of Dick Pepperfield, the play-by-play announcer for the Tropics. Will Arnett portrays Lou Redwood, the team's color commentator, who smokes and drinks while commentating.
The film received generally negative reviews from critics, who described it as an intermittently funny, half-hearted attempt at sports satire and one of Will Ferrell's weaker cinematic efforts. However, Ferrell's performance was praised, with some critics saying that he elevated the script. The film grossed $15 million in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada, and went on to make a total of $43,884,904 worldwide.
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Semi-Pro's critical reception
The 2008 sports comedy film Semi-Pro received generally negative reviews from critics. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval score of 22% based on 161 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Semi-Pro is an intermittently funny, half-hearted attempt at sports satire, and one of Will Ferrell's weaker cinematic efforts." Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 47 out of 100, based on 29 reviews.
While Ferrell's performance received praise, critics criticized the script. One review noted that the film "keeps forgetting it's a parody of sports movies; the final scenes are supposed to be uplifting (sort of) but they're not fooling anyone." Another review said, "It's hard to imagine but the Super Bowl ads for this movie are funnier than the movie itself. Actually, they're much funnier."
Some reviews were more positive, with one reviewer giving the movie three stars and saying, "There are some funny moments and I don't hate these sports comedies. [...] The alley-oop in the movie seems to be a real skill. It saved me from criticizing it as impossible. [...] Basketball alone seems to have realism even though the rest of it can't be done." Another reviewer said, "It's certainly a more forgettable Will Ferrell film, but it isn't that bad. Will Ferrell still carries the film on his back and has a lights-out performance."
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Will Ferrell's career in comedy
Will Ferrell is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is known for his leading roles in comedy films and his work as a television producer. Ferrell has received several awards and nominations for his work in comedy. He has won six Primetime Emmy Awards and a British Academy Television Award. He has also been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award. In 2011, Ferrell was honoured with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. In 2015, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was named the best comedian by British GQ.
Ferrell's career in comedy began during his senior year of high school, where he and a friend would perform comedy skits over the school's intercom system. He also performed in the school's talent shows and was voted "Best Personality" by his classmates. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in sports information in 1990, Ferrell worked as a sports broadcaster on local cable before pursuing acting and comedy. He moved to Los Angeles in 1991 and successfully auditioned for the comedy group The Groundlings, where he developed his improvisation skills and created original characters.
Ferrell made his feature film debut in the 1997 James Bond parody "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery". He then joined the cast of the sketch comedy series "Saturday Night Live" in 1995 and quickly became a fixture on the show. He was known for his manic energy, outlandish gags, and energetic commitment to his characters. He frequently played corporate or office types, and his comedic power came from the contrast between his placid exterior and the lunacy that lay beneath. Ferrell was also known for his impersonations of celebrities such as Alex Trebek, Harry Caray, and George W. Bush.
After leaving "Saturday Night Live" in 2002, Ferrell focused on his film career. He starred in a string of hit comedies, including Old School (2003), Elf (2003), Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), and Blades of Glory (2007). He also took on dramatic roles in films such as Stranger than Fiction (2006) and Everything Must Go (2010). In addition to his live-action roles, Ferrell has also provided voice acting for animated films such as Curious George (2006), Megamind (2010), and The Lego Movie franchise (2014-2019).
Ferrell has continued to work in both comedy and dramatic roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor and his ability to portray a wide range of characters. He has also founded the comedy website "Funny or Die" and produced documentaries such as "Will & Harper" (2024).
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Will Ferrell's early life
John William Ferrell was born on July 16, 1967, in Irvine, California, to Betty Kay (née Overman), a teacher, and Roy Lee Ferrell Jr., a musician who played the saxophone and keyboards for the Righteous Brothers. Ferrell's ancestry includes English, German, and Irish roots. His parents were both natives of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, but they moved to California in 1964, before Ferrell was born. As an infant, Ferrell suffered from pyloric stenosis and had to undergo a pyloromyotomy to correct the condition. He has a younger brother named Patrick. When Ferrell was eight years old, his parents divorced. Despite the divorce, Ferrell maintained a positive outlook, and both parents remained committed to their children. The biggest challenge stemming from the divorce was his father's line of work.
Ferrell attended University High School in Irvine, California, and by his own admission, he was not the class clown. However, he discovered a passion for performing and began to explore this interest by making the school's daily morning announcements in disguised voices. After high school, Ferrell attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a degree in sports information. Upon graduation, he worked briefly as a sportscaster on a weekly show broadcast over a local cable channel.
Ferrell then enrolled in acting classes and stand-up comedy workshops at a community college. After just one year of training, he was invited to join the prestigious comedy/improvisation group The Groundlings, which served as a launching pad for several notable SNL cast members, including Jon Lovitz, Phil Hartman, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte, and Kristen Wiig. During his time with The Groundlings, Ferrell honed his impersonation skills and landed guest spots on television sitcoms, including Fox's Living Single and ABC's Grace Under Fire.
In 1995, Ferrell got his big break when he was asked to join the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL), alongside fellow Groundlings members Chris Kattan and Cheri Oteri. Despite being declared the “worst cast member ever” during his first season, Ferrell's talent for impersonations and his range of characters propelled him forward. During his seven-year run on the show, he became one of the few cast members to earn Emmy nominations for his performances, including his portrayal of George W. Bush during the 2000 elections. Ferrell left SNL in 2002, receiving a farewell from all the current cast members at the end of the season finale, a rare honour for an SNL cast member.
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Semi-Pro's cast and crew
The 2008 sports comedy Semi-Pro stars Will Ferrell as Jackie Moon, the owner, player, and coach of the fictional basketball team the Flint Tropics (or Flint Michigan Tropics). The cast also includes Woody Harrelson as Ed Monix, an ageing former NBA Champion; André 3000 (credited as André Benjamin) as Clarence Withers, who dreams of making it to the NBA; Maura Tierney as Lynn, Ed's love interest; Andy Daly as Dick Pepperfield, the play-by-play announcer for the Tropics; and Will Arnett as Lou Redwood, the colour commentator for the Tropics.
The film also features Andy Richter as Bobby Dee, the Tropics' general manager; David Koechner as ABA Commissioner Alan Ault; and Rob Corddry as Kyle, Lynn's boyfriend. Former American Basketball Association players, Artis Gilmore and George Gervin, appear in uncredited roles as customers in a restaurant. A 700-pound male grizzly bear named Rocky also makes an appearance, wrestling Will Ferrell's character in a scene promoting his basketball team.
Semi-Pro was directed by Kent Alterman, written by Scot Armstrong, and produced by Jimmy Miller. It was Alterman's directorial debut and, as of 2025, remains his only film. The film was shot in Los Angeles, Detroit, and Flint, Michigan, and was released in theatres on February 19, 2008.
Despite some negative reviews, with critics disliking the script, Ferrell's performance was praised. The film grossed $15 million in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada, holding the number-one position at the box office.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the Will Ferrell basketball movie on Amazon is 'Semi-Pro'.
Semi-Pro is a sports comedy film set during the final season of the American Basketball Association. It tells the story of a fictional ABA team, the Flint Tropics, desperate to survive the league's merger with the NBA. Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell), a one-hit-wonder singer, owns the worst team in the league but will do anything to win as a player and coach.
Semi-Pro also stars Woody Harrelson, Andre 3000/Benjamin, Maura Tierney, Will Arnett, David Koechner, Andy Richter, Rob Corddry, DeRay Davis, and many more.
Will Ferrell has starred in many comedy films, including Anchorman, Elf, Blades of Glory, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, The Other Guys, and Get Hard.
