Buddy the Elf is back, but this time he’s seen better days. Will Ferrell, the beloved actor behind the iconic holiday character, surprised fans by showing up as a hilariously disheveled Buddy at the Los Angeles Kings’ game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 29. However, this wasn’t the Buddy the Elf fans remember from the 2003 Christmas classic.
Sporting a faux cigarette, tousled hair, and a shadowy beard, Ferrell’s version of Buddy looked like he had been through some rough times.
Ferrell, a die-hard Los Angeles Kings fan, often attends their games but rarely in costume. FanDuel Sports Network broadcaster Carrlyn Bathe caught up with the actor during the game, where he jokingly explained Buddy’s new look. “It was a tough holiday season,” Ferrell said in character. “Buddy’s been through a lot, but he’s here rooting for a Kings win.”
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The impromptu appearance was a nod to Ferrell’s timeless role in Elf, a film that has become a cornerstone of holiday pop culture. Released in 2003 and directed by Jon Favreau, Elf tells the story of Buddy, a human raised at the North Pole who journeys to New York City to reconnect with his biological father. The film earned over $220 million globally and solidified its place as a Christmas classic.
Interestingly, Ferrell’s relationship with his Elf co-star, the late James Caan, started on a skeptical note. During a recent interview on the “Messy” podcast, Ferrell shared that Caan, who played Buddy’s grumpy father, wasn’t initially sold on his over-the-top performance. “James Caan, may he rest in peace, had such a unique way of teasing me,” Ferrell recounted.
“In between takes, he’d say, ‘I don’t get you. You’re not funny.’ And I’d respond, ‘I know. I’m not Robin Williams.’ He’d laugh but still say, ‘People ask me if you’re funny, and I say no.’ It was all in good fun, but I wasn’t sure what he really thought.”
Caan’s opinion changed dramatically after seeing the final cut at the premiere. Ferrell recalled Caan pulling him aside to admit, “I thought everything you did on set was way too much, but now I see it in the movie, and it’s brilliant.”
Despite the film’s enduring popularity, Ferrell famously turned down a staggering $29 million offer to star in a sequel. “I would’ve had to promote it from an honest place, which would’ve been, ‘Oh no, it’s not good. I just did it for the money,’” Ferrell explained. “And I thought, ‘Can I actually say that? No, so I guess I can’t do the movie.’”
Ferrell’s surprise appearance as Buddy at the hockey game brought joy to fans, blending nostalgia with humor. Videos of his antics quickly went viral, showcasing his comedic brilliance and commitment to entertaining, even in unexpected settings.
With Ferrell’s unpredictability, one can only wonder where Buddy the Elf might appear next.
The Kings’ next home game is scheduled for Jan. 1 against the New Jersey Devils—maybe Buddy will make another spirited return to the rink.
