Will Ferrell SaysSaturday Night LiveWas His 'Hardest but Most Fun Job' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Will Ferrell on ‘SNL,’ Will Ferrell in September 2024.Photo:Mary Ellen Matthews/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Sonia Recchia/WireImage

Mary Ellen Matthews/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Sonia Recchia/WireImage

Starring onSaturday Night Livewas a mix of fun and hard work forWill Ferrell.In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the actor, 57 — who starred as a cast member on the late-night comedy sketch series from 1995 to 2002 — reflects on memories from his time performing on the Studio 8H stage.“I had a wonderful seven seasons on that show, where I made lifelong friends,” Ferrell, who has partnered withPayPal, says.“I knew in that moment it would be the hardest but most fun job I would ever get to do, and I still look back on it that way,” he continues.During his time onSNL, Ferrell was a part of various memorable sketches, including"More Cowbell,““Spartan Cheerleaders at Tryouts"and"Dr. Beaman’s Office: Test Results.“He also provided various iconic celebrity impressions, including those ofAlex Trebek,George W. BushandDr. Phil, to name a few.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Will Ferrell’s iconic ‘SNL’ characters.Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Mary Ellen Matthews/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyLooking to current day, asSNLcelebrates itsmilestone 50th season, Ferrell says it’s a feeling like no other to see the show still be successful after five decades.“It’s really an amazing thing that you have this live television show that still continues to put its finger on the pulse of what we’re all thinking about, and it’s a real credit to [creator]Lorne [Michaels]for having thought of it in the first place,” he tells PEOPLE.“It was the one thing I always dreamed about being a part of,” continues Ferrell, adding: “It’s kind of enormous to think about in a way, 50 years of what has really defined American comedy.“The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!As for celebratingSNL’s season 50 with other cast members past and present in the months to come, thefather of threesays, “Thank God I don’t have to put together the show, whatever they’re planning on doing, … because I don’t know how you distill 50 years of great moments, spanning from music to comedy to cultural things, into a show.“Saturday Night Liveairs weekends on NBC.

Starring onSaturday Night Livewas a mix of fun and hard work forWill Ferrell.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the actor, 57 — who starred as a cast member on the late-night comedy sketch series from 1995 to 2002 — reflects on memories from his time performing on the Studio 8H stage.

“I had a wonderful seven seasons on that show, where I made lifelong friends,” Ferrell, who has partnered withPayPal, says.

“I knew in that moment it would be the hardest but most fun job I would ever get to do, and I still look back on it that way,” he continues.

During his time onSNL, Ferrell was a part of various memorable sketches, including"More Cowbell,““Spartan Cheerleaders at Tryouts"and"Dr. Beaman’s Office: Test Results.“He also provided various iconic celebrity impressions, including those ofAlex Trebek,George W. BushandDr. Phil, to name a few.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Will Ferrell’s iconic ‘SNL’ characters.Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Mary Ellen Matthews/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Mary Ellen Matthews/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Looking to current day, asSNLcelebrates itsmilestone 50th season, Ferrell says it’s a feeling like no other to see the show still be successful after five decades.

“It’s really an amazing thing that you have this live television show that still continues to put its finger on the pulse of what we’re all thinking about, and it’s a real credit to [creator]Lorne [Michaels]for having thought of it in the first place,” he tells PEOPLE.

“It was the one thing I always dreamed about being a part of,” continues Ferrell, adding: “It’s kind of enormous to think about in a way, 50 years of what has really defined American comedy.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

As for celebratingSNL’s season 50 with other cast members past and present in the months to come, thefather of threesays, “Thank God I don’t have to put together the show, whatever they’re planning on doing, … because I don’t know how you distill 50 years of great moments, spanning from music to comedy to cultural things, into a show.”

Saturday Night Liveairs weekends on NBC.

source: people.com