The Will Ferrell family guide gives an inside look at the actor’s life with his wife, Viveca Paulin, and their three sons, Magnus, Mattias, and Axel. Known for his comedic talent, Ferrell brings humor and tradition into their home life alongside a dedication to honoring his partner’s Swedish heritage.
A Comedic Household and Early Family Life
Raising their children in the spotlight, Will Ferrell and Viveca Paulin have embraced a unique parenting approach shaped by humor and cultural tradition. Ferrell’s playful attitude finds its way into everyday family moments.
“If [my kids have] been mouthing off or something, I turn up at dinner wearing just my underpants to warn them,”
Ferrell once revealed, making light of the challenges of raising boys.
“I can only imagine, but I sometimes equate [parenting boys] to what it must be like running a prison.”
– Will Ferrell, Actor
Ferrell and Paulin met while attending an acting class in 1995, before his turn on Saturday Night Live shot him to stardom. They married in 2000, committing as partners in both family and career. Together, they welcomed their three sons: Magnus in 2004, Mattias in 2006, and Axel in 2010, integrating both their professions and backgrounds into their family tradition.
Family Traditions and Parental Roles
Tradition is central to the Ferrell household, particularly when it comes to their children’s involvement in family decisions.
“We have a standing rule that [the kids] get to pick out my Halloween costume, no matter what it is,”
Ferrell explained, underlining their collaborative dynamic.
“I was a poop emoji a couple years ago.”
– Will Ferrell, Actor
The couple also emphasizes honoring Paulin’s roots through their sons’ names, which all have Scandinavian origins. Magnus, for instance, means “great” in Swedish.
“My wife was born in Sweden and we loved the idea of a Scandinavian name,”
Ferrell said, responding to public curiosity over their name choices.
“I’ve gotten a lot of flack: ‘What kind of ego do you have to have to name your child the great one?’ That is not it at all.”
– Will Ferrell, Actor
The family often splits time between New York City and Orange County, showing adaptability in navigating both professional and personal commitments. The couple’s connection, as Ferrell described, rests on humor and mutual respect.
“I think we were drawn to each other initially through our shared sense of humor, and that has remained the foundation of our relationship,”
he shared, reflecting on their marital bond.
“I think, ultimately, that’s our bond, making each other laugh.”
– Will Ferrell, Actor
Ferrell even playfully recounted his efforts to elicit laughter from his wife, calling Paulin “a tough nut to crack.”
“Every now and then I’ll get her to laugh, and she’ll be like, ‘OK, OK. You still got it.’”
– Will Ferrell, Actor
Magnus Ferrell: Blending Heritage and Passion for Music
Their eldest son, Magnus Ferrell, born in March 2004, initially spoke more Swedish than English, reflecting Paulin’s influence at home. As a young teen, Magnus won attention for interacting on social media with Ella, daughter of actor Mark Wahlberg, which even sparked some playful banter between Wahlberg and Ferrell on talk shows.
“I thought [Magnus] was a lovely lad until I found out that he has formed some sort of communication with my oldest child,”
shared Wahlberg during a television appearance.
“In actuality, as I’ve thought about it, I’ve come to understand that it is inevitable that she’ll be with somebody. So if it could be with someone like Will, I would be happy.”
– Mark Wahlberg, Actor
Magnus later explored his own interests, forming a band that performed with their famous father on occasion—including a San Diego event that paid tribute to Ferrell’s iconic “More Cowbell” sketch from SNL. As a University of Southern California student, he controversially convinced his father to serve as DJ at a campus fraternity party, another example of family tradition meeting youthful adventure.
Magnus recently began a journey in the music industry, expressing gratitude for both opportunity and guidance from his parents.
“The great thing about me wanting to do music is that I have to make good music for people to react to good music,”
Magnus noted of his pursuit.
“Sure, there’s been opportunities, and I’ve gotten extra opportunities because of my parents, but I still had to show up for the occasion.”
– Magnus Ferrell, Musician
Reflecting on his upbringing, Magnus said,
“I could have turned out a very wildly different human being, but I’m so thankful. I didn’t really even know what [my dad] did until I was 11.”
– Magnus Ferrell, Musician
Mattias Ferrell: A Sporting Spirit and Playful Family Moments
Born in December 2006, Mattias follows his father’s tradition of comedic storytelling. When Paulin was pregnant, Ferrell kept family and audiences guessing about the baby’s sex with tongue-in-cheek responses.
“You know, I don’t know if I do [know its sex],”
Ferrell teased on national television.
“Well, we do know, but I forget if we’re telling people. I told the Today show we weren’t telling them. But it’s a boy.”
– Will Ferrell, Actor
He also commented on the choice of Mattias’ name, joking,
“Mattias means ‘one who eats fire.’ No, I don’t know what it means. It’s a very popular name in Sweden … The name Mattias actually means ‘gift of God.’”
– Will Ferrell, Actor
As the boys grew, Ferrell humorously noted their mixed responses to his comic antics.
“They’ve all got a little glimmer in their eye,”
he admitted.
“A lot of times I’ll get, ‘Stop with the voices, let’s get back to the story.’ Like, ‘I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but you’re taking away from the story.’”
– Will Ferrell, Actor
Unlike his musically-inclined brother, Mattias showed interest in sports, with his parents taking on coaching duties for his youth soccer team at age eight.
Axel Ferrell: Welcoming the Youngest Under Unusual Circumstances
Axel, the youngest Ferrell son, arrived in January 2010 through an unexpected turn of events—Paulin went into labor mere hours after Ferrell’s performance on Conan O’Brien’s last Tonight Show episode. The birth announcement came through a family spokesperson, who assured, “All the Ferrells are well.”
All three brothers were present when Will Ferrell was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March 2015, a memorable family milestone. At the event, Ferrell openly discussed the blend of achievement and humility that marked the occasion.
“I’m still waiting for the mayor of show business to show up and kick me out of the formal party because I’m wearing a leisure suit. Comedians don’t get a lot of awards, so this is really nice,”
he shared with the audience. – Will Ferrell, Actor
He reflected further:
“I have a mix of feelings about getting the star. I feel extremely fortunate to have accomplished this much. But there’s still some frustration with it in that it doesn’t matter how high up you are, it’s hard to get things made and you’re never not clawing.”
– Will Ferrell, Actor
Axel, along with his brothers, frequently appears at public events with their father, including movie premieres, sports games, and awards shows, signaling a close-knit family accustomed to the public eye.
The Ferrell Family’s Enduring Impact
The Will Ferrell family guide illustrates the blend of humor, cultural pride, and support that forms the core of Ferrell’s home life with Viveca Paulin and their sons. Whether through holiday traditions, choosing meaningful names, coaching sports, or encouraging musical talents, the family navigates life’s milestones together. Their public appearances, from surprise movie cameos to the Walk of Fame, showcase a unit rooted in laughter and lasting connection. As Will Ferrell continues to balance his successful career with fatherhood, the family remains an example of how shared values and humor can guide both everyday life and extraordinary achievements.
