Man Lessons from Will Ferrell
There’s no dispute that since his days at SNL to his roles as a movie frontman, Will Ferrell has been exceedingly good at making us laugh. His characters, always flirting with the line between the ridiculous and the obscene, have all shared one common trait, however. They’ve taught us how to be a man. (Excluding his hilarious foray into drag for Janet Reno’s Dance Party) So, here are eight Will Ferrell characters that taught the most about being a man.
#1 Ricky Bobby
- Be the Best
So often people fail because they’re insecure and think they’re not good enough to succeed. It usually is not true, but it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Well your momma didn’t raise no sissy! Have the mentality of “I’m the best there is. Plain and simple. I wake up in the morning and piss excellence.” True, arrogance could cause you to run headfirst into a wall, but find the perfect balance of confidence and become the champion you know you are. First or last, baby!!!
#2 Gene Frenkel
- Earn Your Keep
Not everyone can be the frontman, but that doesn’t diminish your importance. If you’ve got a niche and you’re good at it then own that skill, and people will notice. Be proud of your abilities, whatever they are, and make them a valuable asset. Don’t ask if the group if it could use any more cowbell, be so good that they get a fever and the only cure will be more cowbell!
#3 Harry Caray
- Stay Curious. Like a Cat
The term “there are no dumb questions” is just, well…dumb. But, if you don’t know something, sometimes you just have to ask a dumb question to find out. Your temporary embarrassment will be worth added intelligence. How else are you going to find out the important information about people without asking things like “If you were a hot dog, and you were starving, would you eat yourself?”
#4 Chazz Reinhold
- Be an Innovator, Fish with Dynamite
If you’ve got dynamite and you happen to be fishing, use it! There’s no point making things more difficult than they should be. Try to avoid the morally questionable like literally fishing with dynamite or seducing women at funerals (even though grief is nature’s most powerful aphrodisiac). The point is to find an edge to take advantage of. Most people think “by the book” is the only way to go about things, but those people will forever run with the pack. Think outside the box and write your own book.
#5 Craig Buchanan
- Be Excited B-E Excited!
Be enthusiastic. Be cheerful. Be like the band geek at prom; just happy to be invited. The world’s got enough negative people and enough whiners. Lift people up and cheer them on. It doesn’t matter if they are competing for a world championship or a high school regional chess tournament, they will appreciate the encouragement. Your life is as exciting and positive as you make it. Make it a good one.
#6 Brennan Huff
- Find a Best Friend
The world is a lonely place when you’ve got no one to share it with. Find someone who shares your interests in watching cops, collecting retro-nudie mags, and doing karate in the garage. It makes Shark Week even more enjoyable when you’re watching it with your bestie. Plus, you’ve always got someone to watch your back so you’ll never again end up with a belly full of white dog crap.
#7 Ron Burgundy
- Grow a Mustache
That is all you need to know as a man. Follow the other seven lessons you learned and then grow a mustache. People respect and put an exorbitant amount of trust in a man who can grow luscious lady tickler. The thicker the better. Now that you know the tricks, it’s time to start down the path of manhood that Will Ferrell has paved for us all. From all of us here at DragNSYNC, you stay classy.
Even the best mess up sometimes. Check out this hilarious montage of Will Ferrell Bloopers!
