Don’t Expect to See ‘Augusta Nights’ Soon
Actor and comedian Will Ferrell, who stars in the hit movie “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” a spoof about the NASCAR circuit, is working on a new film called “Blades of Glory.”
“It’s a figure skating comedy,” he said.
Ferrell, who says he plays golf only a couple of times a year, is helping his former USC fraternity brother Craig Pollard, a two-time survivor of Hodgkin’s disease, with a “Cancer for College” golf tournament and banquet.
The event, to be held Sept. 22 at Temecula Creek Inn, provides scholarship money to current and former cancer patients. The goal is to raise $50,000 for 10 new scholarship recipients and seven continuing scholarship recipients.
Ferrell, 39, graduated from USC in 1989 with a degree in sports information. He studied to become a sports broadcaster.
Born in Irvine, he graduated from University High and made the school’s morning announcements over the public-address system in voices he made up.
He is a member of the so-called “Frat Pack,” along with Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Steve Carell, Owen and Luke Wilson, the name derived from the 2003 movie “Old School.” His wife, Swedish actress Viveca Paulin, is also active in the “Cancer for College” charity.
Ferrell answered a few questions in a telephone interview Friday.
Question: Is the “Cancer for College” charity event something you’re close to?
Will Ferrell: It’s such a great cause and they don’t turn anybody away, even if they can only offer $50 to an individual. And when you donate, you always know where your money is going.
Q: “Talladega Nights” is doing great business. Could there be a golf movie for you?
WF: It’s dangerous territory. I know there was one script floating around, about a middling pro who found his way onto the LPGA Tour, dressed in drag. Sort of a “Tootsie” meets “Tin Cup.”
Q: What does PGA stand for?
WF: I believe it stands for People Going Around in a golf cart. I think. What happens is they just drop off the last part and call it the PGA.
Q: You always seem to find a way to take your clothes off in your movies. Would that work in a golf movie?
WF: Absolutely. I’d like to see somebody streak during the Masters. In fact, that should be my goal, before my lifetime is over, to streak at the Masters.
Q: Are golfers athletes?
WF: Let’s see, I think they are with the hand-eye. I don’t know about the cardiovascular. I don’t know if their heart rate is ever above 84 beats a minute. I think they would definitely be athletes if they carried their own clubs. And sprinted to the next hole.
Q: You once made a soccer movie called “Kicking and Screaming,” with Mike Ditka. Should he have won an Oscar?
WF: One of the greatest travesties in cinematic history. Both his performance and the fact he didn’t win an Oscar.
Q: What is the biggest misconception about you?
WF: That I can read. I’m completely illiterate.
Q: Tiger or Phil?
WF: That’s a tough one. I’ve got to say Tiger. Tiger is the only guy who can wear tight-fitting clothes and has the ability to pull it off.
Q: What’s your handicap?
WF: Well, the high 80s ... oh, did you ask me what I’d like to shoot?
Q: How would you improve golf?
WF: Something that would spice it up would be to have randomly selected holes where a fan can come out of the gallery and tackle a golfer. Just to keep them on their toes.