Actor Will Ferrell made an unexpected appearance as Buddy the Elf during Sunday's hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Philadelphia Flyers.
However, rather than appear as the cheerful, polished character from Jon Favreau's 2003 Christmas comedy "Elf," Ferrell instead opted for a scruffy look complete with a 5 o'clock shadow and fake cigarette.
Ferrell told FanDuel Sports Network broadcaster Carrlyn Bathe during the live broadcast that it was "a tough holiday season" and "he's looking for a Kings win," according to Variety.
The beloved Christmas film "Elf" earned over $220 million worldwide during its theatrical run. The movie tells the story of Buddy, a human raised among Santa's elves, who sets out for New York City to find his real father, played by James Caan. Earlier this year, Ferrell revealed on the Messy podcast that Caan wasn't immediately sold on the film.
"James Caan, may he rest in peace, we had such a good time working on that movie," Ferrell said. "He would tease me. I like to do bits but I'm not like 'on' all the time. In between set-ups, [Caan] would be like, 'I don't get you. You're not funny.' And I'm like, 'I know. I'm not Robin Williams.' And he was like, 'People ask me: "Is he funny?" And I'm like, "No, he's not funny.'' It was all with love but at the same time …"
Caan changed his mind after seeing the final cut of "Elf" at the film's premiere.
"He was like, 'I've got to tell you: I thought everything you were doing while we were filming was way too over the top. Now that I see it in the movie, it's brilliant,'" Ferrell said.
In another interview, Ferrell previously said he turned down a $29 million offer to reprise his role in an "Elf" sequel.
"I would have had to promote the movie from an honest place, which would've been, like, 'Oh, no, it's not good. I just couldn't turn down that much money,'" Ferrell said. "And I thought, Can I actually say those words? I don't think I can, so I guess I can't do the movie."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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