Buddy the Elf has returned to the spotlight, albeit in a different manner. He watched an NHL game while looking a bit worse for wear.
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Will Ferrell, the actor behind the character Buddy the Elf, showed up to a Dec. 29 game between the Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers. He sat in the stands dressed as Buddy the Elf, sporting a 5 o'clock shadow and drinking a beer. Buddy had a fake cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
Ferrell remained in character as the cameras focused on him. He scowled at the action unfolding on the ice and only removed the fake cigarette from his mouth to drink some beer.
BUDDY THE ELF IS OFFICIALLY IN #HOCKEYWOOD 📍 pic.twitter.com/CYudAwXVvo
— LA Kings (@LAKings) December 30, 2024
FanDuel Sports Network broadcaster Carrlyn Bathe spoke to Buddy during the hockey game. She interviewed the elf, who "is a huge Kings fan," and got the story about his appearance. According to Bathe, he said, "It was a tough holiday season." Bathe added that he was looking for a Kings win.
"Elf" was the 2003 film starring Ferrell, which focused on a human raised by Santa's elves. Buddy heads to New York City to meet his biological father (James Caan). They ultimately overcome some friction and worked together to found an independent publishing company. Ferrell's character also meets Jovie (Zooey Deschanel), a disillusioned Gimbels department store employee who later becomes his wife.
The NHL game is not the first example of Ferrell taking on sports events. He has done so numerous times over the years while occasionally stealing some attention from the athletes.
One prominent example was in 2015. Ferrell took part in MLB spring training and played 10 different positions for 10 different teams in one day. He appeared in five Cactus League games to achieve this feat.
March 12, 2015 - MLB Network follows actor Will Ferrell around the Cactus League in his pursuit to play all nine positions for 10 different teams in one day! #MLBN10 #TBT pic.twitter.com/cumyda8z3q
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 28, 2019
Ferrell played shortstop for the A's, second base for the Mariners, center field for the Angels, left field for the Diamondbacks, third base for the Reds, designated hitter for the White Sox, catcher for the Giants, pitcher for the Dodgers, right field for the Padres, and first base for the Cubs. He also served as the third-base coach for the Cubs.
The marathon day featured a big play from the longtime actor. Ferrell threw a pitch he called a "Slurge," which a Padres hitter bunted back toward the mound. Ferrell picked the bouncing ball off the grass and threw it to first base for the out. This was his last play in a Dodgers uniform.
