Will Ferrell and Magnus Ferrell attend a basketball game at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.Photo:Allen Berezovsky/Getty
Allen Berezovsky/Getty
Will Ferrellhas kept his eldest son, Magnus, laughing since 2004.
Will and his wife, Viveca Paulin, who also share sons Mattias and Axel, gave their firstborn a Scandinavian name as a nod to his mother’s Swedish heritage. Though Will has joked that people assume he named his son after himself — Magnus means “great one” in Latin — he has insisted that wasn’t the intention.
Much like his famous father, Magnus has a knack for humor. “He’s very subtly funny,” TheElfactor revealed toParadein 2018. But Magnus isn’t just about jokes — he’s also a talented musician.
The University of Southern California student has played in a band and even had his dad join him onstage for a cowbell cameo during a 2022 performance in San Diego — a playful nod to Will’siconicSNLsketch from 2000.
Despite his dad’s status as one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedic actors, Magnus appears to take his father’s antics in stride — even when they become embarrassing. In a June 2024 TikTok, Magnusrated moments from his childhood, including the time Will showed up to his prom dressed as a medieval lord.
Here’s everything to know about Will Ferrell’s first-born son, Magnus Ferrell.
Magnus was born in 2004
Viveca Paulin, Will Ferrell, Mattias Paulin Ferrell, Magnus Paulin Ferrell and guest at the premiere of “Will & Harper” on September 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty
Will and Paulin welcomed Magnus on March 7, 2004, and chose a name that honored her Swedish heritage.
“My wife was born in Sweden and we loved the idea of a Scandinavian name,” theSaturday Night Livealum told PEOPLE in 2006. He humorously addressed misconceptions about the name, which means “great one,” noting, “I’ve gotten a lot of flack: ‘What kind of ego do you have to have to name your child the great one?’ "
But, the comedian insisted he and Paulin picked the name because of her heritage and not because of the meaning.
Like his dad, Magnus attends the University of Southern California
Will Ferrell and Magnus Ferrell attend Magnus Ferrell’s release party to benefit Smile Train on October 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
Magnus has also already made a name for himself on campus. In October 2023, his dad played a surprise DJ set during one of his fraternity’s tailgates — a moment that later wentviral on TikTok.
Will joined Magnus onstage for one of his band’s performances
Magnus Ferrell performs onstage during Magnus Ferrell’s release party to benefit Smile Train on October 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
The budding musician has played the keyboard and sang in a band, performing original songs and covers. In December 2022, he played his first-ever live show in San Diego, opening for the Psychedelic Furs. His set included three original songs and a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep,” and he even got a little help from his famous dad.
DuringWill’s surprise appearance onstage, he brought back his legendary “More Cowbell” routine from season 5 ofSNL. Dressed in a hoodie reading “Hot Buttered Soul,” the actor joined Magnus’ band onstage, much to the delight of the crowd.
He’s close with his dad’s famous friends
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly attend the US-Ireland Alliance’s 19th annual Oscar Wilde Awards on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
During a 2024 interview on theLightweights Podcast with Joe Vulpis, Magnus was asked to name the “craziest person who came over for family dinner.” Without hesitation, he singled outhis dad’s longtime friendandStep Brotherscostar,John C. Reilly.
“We were doing this Christmas thing where we had close friends and family,” Magnus recalled. “John C. Reilly was there. And it was pretty normal. And then he just at one point started singing opera.”
The unexpected moment left a lasting impression. Magnus described how Reilly didn’t just sing a few notes — he delivered an entire aria. “It was the most amazing thing. Like, it was bizarre! But then you’re like, ‘Wait, this is so funny,’ ” the musician said.
Magnus likes to joke around with his dad
Magnus Ferrell and Will Ferrell attend the “Despicable Me 4” Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on June 09, 2024 in New York City.Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Magnus has inherited more than just his dad’s love for comedy — he’s also got a knack for poking fun at him in the best way possible.
The young musician often shares hilarious glimpses into life with his actor dad. In February 2025, Magnus jumped on the viral“My Emergency Contact” TikTok trend, posting a10-second clipof Will awkwardly dancing to Hannah Montana’s “Ordinary Girl.”
This wasn’t the first time Magnus roasted his dad online. In 2023, he posted anotherTikTok, humorously rating different things Will had done — one of the highlights being when theBlades of Glorystar showed up to his prom in costume.
“Dressed as a medieval lord to embarrass me at prom 10000/10,” Magnus wrote, rating the encounter.
He and his siblings once rescued Will from a wardrobe malfunction
Will Ferrell and Magnus Ferrell attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.Allen Berezovsky/Getty
Magnus and his brothers proved they always have their dad’s back — literally — when they came to his rescueduring a red carpet mishapin September 2024.
While attending the premiere of his documentaryWill & Harperat the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, Will was mid-interview when Magnus and Mattias noticed something wasn’t quite right with his suit. The back tails of his navy blue jacket were still stitched together, and rather than let their dad continue, the brothers sprang into action.
One of his songs was featured in one of his father’s film
Magnus Ferrell takes a selfie in February 2025.Magnus Ferrell/ Instagram
Magnus Ferrell/ Instagram
Magnus’ song “Slow Down”made it onto the soundtrackofYou’re Cordially Invited, a 2025 romantic comedy starring his father andReese Witherspoon. The song, which was a collaboration with Witherspoon’s son,Deacon Phillippe, came about when Magnus and his college roommate decided to experiment with new sounds, creating what he previously described to PEOPLEas a “really weird-sounding, super-fast, kind of Latin” track.
Initially, the song was just a creative outlet, but Magnus saw an unexpected opportunity when his dad, who was in the middle of filming, mentioned that the production team was still looking for a song for a party scene.
After Will played it for them, the filmmakers loved it, and Magnus' track officially became part of the film. “I’ve got such an amazing support system and people that really believe in me,” he told PEOPLE. “I’m just so lucky that I found such a good group of people.”
Magnus hasn’t seen all of his dad’s movies
Will Ferrell and Magnus Ferrell attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs on January 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.Allen Berezovsky/Getty
Magnus has not made his way through his father’s entire filmography. On theLightweights Podcast, he admitted that there are still several of his dad’s movies he has yet to watch — includingBlades of Glory.
“There are still some movies I haven’t seen yet, just ‘cuz I haven’t seen them,” Magnus said, calling his lack ofBlades of Gloryknowledge “kind of a crime.” That being said, he does have a favorite among his dad’s work —Step Brothers. “I just think it’s funny,” Magnus said.
source: people.com
