Will Ferrell‘s kids seem to have inherited the funny gene!
The Step Brothers actor and his wife, Viveca Paulin, welcomed their first child together, son Magnus, in 2004. The family of three expanded once again two years later when son Mattias was born in 2006. Ferrell and Paulin completed their family in 2010 when they welcomed their youngest child together, son Axel, in 2010.
Just like their dad, all three sons seem to enjoy making people laugh and even recreated a scene from their dad’s beloved 2003 Christmas movie, Elf, in 2025. Magnus and Mattias played the roles of their dad and his on-screen love interest, Zooey Deschanel, in the famous scene where he sings a Christmas song while she’s in the shower.
Over the years, Ferrell has spoken about parenting by both joking about it and sharing more real advice. In 2017, he told PEOPLE, “There is usually a high volume in the house. Whether they’re having a great time or whether they’re losing their minds, they are always yelling.”
In July 2023, the whole family supported Ferrell at the London premiere of his movie Barbie. Magnus, Mattias and Axel all wore suits for the special occasion. The family of five also made a cameo in the Jonas Brothers holiday movie, A Very Jonas Christmas.
Here’s everything to know about Will Ferrell’s three sons: Magnus, Mattias and Axel.
Magnus Paulin Ferrell, 21
Ferrell and Paulin welcomed their first son, Magnus, on March 7, 2004. A few years after his birth, the Saturday Night Live alum explained the meaning behind his firstborn’s name, as well as the reason why the moniker raised some eyebrows.
“My wife was born in Sweden and we loved the idea of a Scandinavian name. 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,” he shared.
Just like his famous dad, Magnus is quite the jokester. “He’s very subtly funny,” Ferrell said of his oldest child during a 2018 interview with Parade. The comedian went on to recall a funny stunt Magnus pulled off on picture day at school. “Last year, for his yearbook photo, he borrowed another kid’s glasses. He doesn’t wear glasses. There he is with this very serious look with glasses on,” the proud dad said.
Of course, Ferrell had to applaud Magnus’ sense of humor. “Like ‘Magnus, that is so subversive and funny. Totally my sense of humor.’ ” Ferrell continued. “He’s like, ‘Am I in trouble?’ Like, ‘No, you’ve got to do it every year! Fantastic!’ “
Magnus’ hobbies include music, particularly playing the keyboard. The budding musician was in a band with two of his friends and sometimes his dad. In December 2022, the band had their first live gig in San Diego, and Ferrell got up on stage to play the cowbell — reminiscent of his iconic Saturday Night Live sketch from more than 20 years ago.
When Ferrell’s eldest was attending his alma mater — the University of Southern California — the actor made headlines DJing a Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity tailgate during Trojan Family Weekend.
In June 2024, Magnus shared a video on TikTok “rating things my dad has done,” sharing a photo from his prom and revealing the embarrassing thing that Ferrell did that night.
In the picture, Ferrell is dressed in full medieval garb as he stands next to Magnus, who is wearing a checkered suit. “Dressed as a medieval lord to embarrass me at prom 10000/10,” he wrote on the video.
Magnus spoke to PEOPLE in May 2025 about living with his dad during a recent leave of absence from college to pursue music. Although he admitted “it’s hard to get” his “personal space,” he enjoyed living at home more than he expected.
“I love my family so much. That sounds so bad. I love hanging out with them, but I think that’s part of it. I get to live at home. I get to have home-cooked meals,” he shared. “But I also have to do things you got to do when you live at home. I mean, you got to help run the house. It’s like you have to.”
