Will Ferrell Says He Wore ‘Elf’ Costume At Kings Game Because He Likes To “Do Weird Things”

Will Ferrell recently revealed why he decided to don his Elf costume at a Los Angeles Kings game in late December.

The 57-year-old actor, best known for his role as Buddy the Elf in the iconic holiday film, showed up at Crypto.com Arena on December 29 dressed as his famous character. But this version of Buddy had a twist.

In this 2024 reimagining, Buddy sported a cigarette and a beer, presenting a more disheveled and unpolished look. He told a reporter during the game that “it was a tough holiday season” and “he’s looking for a Kings win.”

Now, Will has shared the inspiration behind the unusual appearance and explained why Buddy seemed a little rough around the edges.

Speaking on Travis and Jason Kelce‘s New Heights podcast, Will described his vision for Buddy’s updated storyline.

“Buddy the Elf got laid off, I think, from the North Pole,” he joked. “He’s having a pull from his beer, smoking a cig. That was just… I get these weird ideas every now and then.”

Will went on to explain how it all came together: “We’re season ticket holders for the L.A. Kings. We have seats right on the glass, which are amazing. I said, ‘Gosh, over the break, it would be funny if I just got a Buddy the Elf costume and didn’t shave for a week, and I’m just sitting there with a candy cigarette. It’s just a candy cigarette. And I’m just gonna sit there for a period and see how people react.’”

The reaction was, as he described, unforgettable. “The reaction was insane. Like, what is he doing? Is he promoting something? But occasionally I just like to do weird things like that just to stir it up.”