As I sat down to watch the heartwarming documentary “Will & Harper,” I felt a profound sense of admiration for both Will Ferrell and Harper Steele. This isn’t just a tale about a cross-country road trip, but a journey of friendship, understanding, and acceptance that transcends boundaries.
Legendary comedian Will Ferrell has been a mainstay in the world of Hollywood for many years now. Known for making audiences laugh out loud in movies such as “Elf,” “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” “Talladega Nights,” and “Stranger Than Fiction,” Ferrell first gained widespread recognition as a member of the iconic sketch comedy show, “Saturday Night Live.” He joined the pioneering program in 1995, quickly becoming a regular fixture on the beloved series, bringing laughter and happiness to viewers week after week until his departure in 2002.
While working on Saturday Night Live, Ferrell developed a strong friendship with writer Harper Steele, who supported him and defended his acting abilities against skepticism from fellow staff members. This support gave Ferrell the confidence he needed to thrive in his role on the long-running show, and together they created some of his most popular characters and sketches. In 2024, their 30-year friendship was highlighted in the touching documentary Will & Harper, which delves into their enduring bond as they embarked on a road trip across America following Steele’s revelation that she is a transgender woman to her friend Ferrell.
An Enduring & Creatively Fulfilling 30-Year Friendship
Throughout the globe, people cherish and appreciate Will Ferrell for his daring and fearless style of comedy, which has led to him appearing in numerous iconic movies during his illustrious career, such as the beloved holiday film Elf, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Blades of Glory, and Step Brothers (to mention just a few examples). However, before Ferrell became one of Hollywood’s top comedic stars, he was honing his skills on television and making people laugh consistently as part of the groundbreaking sketch series Saturday Night Live, where he started in 1995.
As I embarked on my journey with Saturday Night Live, I must admit that my first season wasn’t without its share of obstacles. Just like Harper Steele, who joined the show the same week as me and spent 13 years there, including four years as head writer, I too had to navigate through challenges to find my footing. Harper was a steadfast supporter during this period, defending me when I was still finding my comedic voice. As I recalled sharing with CBS, his support was instrumental in helping me shape the character that would eventually make me a household name.
As a movie enthusiast, I had heard whispers around town about this comedian not being all that amusing. However, it was Harper who reassured some of the writers, “Hold up, don’t underestimate him! He’s actually quite hilarious.
With Steele being one of his strongest backers, Ferrell eventually found his footing on SNL and played a regular series member from 1995 to 2002, receiving a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2001 for his exceptional performances on the long-running show. Notably, Steele clinched an Emmy in 2002 for her writing accolades, and she departed in 2008 to take up the position of creative director at Funny or Die, a comedy platform and production company that Ferrell also co-founded. Their bond during their SNL days was significant and lasting, as Steele assisted Ferrell in crafting some of his most memorable skits, including those featuring the crooner Robert Goulet.
Every Collaboration Between Will Ferrell and Harper Steele
| Title | Format | Year |
| Saturday Night Live | Comedy Sketch Show | 1995-2002 |
| The Ladies Man | Movie | 2000 |
| Carpet Bros | TV Episode | 2010 |
| Casa de mi Padre | Movie | 2012 |
| The Spoils of Babylon | TV Miniseries | 2014 |
| A Deadly Adoption | Movie | 2015 |
| The Spoils Before Dying | TV Miniseries (Spin-Off of The Spoils of Babylon) | 2015 |
| The Royal Wedding Live with Cord and Tish! | TV Special | 2018 |
| The 2019 Rose Parade Hosted by Cord and Tish | TV Special | 2019 |
| Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga | Movie | 2020 |
Ferrell & Steele Take Their Bond on the Road
Despite parting ways from Saturday Night Live in the 2000s, Ferrell and Steele have maintained a strong friendship and unbreakable bond. As they each pursued their individual paths in life and careers, they remained best friends throughout the years. Ferrell achieved stardom in films, while Steele continued to shine as a writer in the entertainment industry. The duo teamed up in 2020 for the romantic comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, and previously worked together on Casa de mi padre in 2012.
In 2022, Steele announced to her family and friends that she was transitioning into a woman, expressing her feelings in a touching letter to Ferrell. Moved by his friend’s transformation, the comedian expressed his desire to be there for her and help her through this journey. He told BBC: “If I’m as good a friend as I believe I am, I want to support her during this exciting adventure we are about to share.” So, they planned a road trip across the country, recording their 16-day journey to document their personal growth and reconnection. They hoped that by sharing their experiences, they could inspire others facing similar circumstances.
Collaboratively, Ferrell and Steele produced the compelling and heartrending documentary titled Will & Harper, recounting their exhilarating road journey from New York City to Los Angeles, pausing at vibrant diners, truck stops, karaoke venues, and dives, all as part of their touching mission to strengthen their longstanding friendship. The duo aimed to examine how Steele’s transition affected their relationship while simultaneously portraying societal perceptions and reactions towards her, making for an enlightening journey not just for comedy legends like Ferrell but also spectators. Ferrell reminisced about their decision to film the documentary side by side:
“I was thinking about the possibility of joining her on those trips, not just for the fun of it, but also to engage in a conversation about what it means to be transgender. I have many questions as a cisgender man, and this could be an opportunity for me to learn more.
A Profoundly Poignant Documentary
In a stunning debut, the film titled “Will & Harper” graced the Sundance Film Festival in January, followed by its streaming release on Netflix on September 13, 2024. This heartwarming documentary garnered near-unanimous praise from both critics and audiences, leaving viewers moved.
This engaging and thought-provoking documentary has been highly praised, boasting an impressive 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 84% approval from viewers on Popcornmeter. It’s become a popular choice among Netflix users, earning acclaim for its heartwarming portrayal of friendship and sensitive examination of inclusivity and gender transition. SlashFilm, in their positive review, described it as “a delightful peek into companionship, the growing pains of an ally learning to love a trans person, and a reassuring reminder that supportive voices can be found beyond the progressive communities on the coasts.
Stream Will & Harper on Netflix.
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2024-10-10 23:31