Celebrity doppelgängers Will Ferrell and Chad Smith reunite on “Saturday Night Live,” continuing a long-running comedic bit built on their striking resemblance.
Over the years, the comedian and the Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer embraced the ongoing joke, leaning into the confusion with humor and raising money for charity while making fans laugh. Their latest appearance highlights their shared commitment to the gag more than a decade after they acknowledged their striking similarities.
“Saturday Night Live” alum Will Ferrell returned to the sketch comedy show that launched his career, taking over hosting duties for the final episode of Season 51. As he was introduced, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith appeared, decked in a gray suit while impersonating the comedian.
“I’m thrilled to be back here hosting ‘Saturday Night Live.’ I was a cast member here for seven years, and now I’m hosting for the sixth time,” Smith declared. The real Will Ferrell then runs in wearing the exact same attire, accusing Smith of pushing him backstage. “I fell. Hard. Lorne had to give me mouth-to-mouth,” he said, referring to “SNL” creator and showrunner, Lorne Michaels.
Ferrell then shoos Smith off the stage, telling the audience not to clap. “He’s a bad guy,” he told them. The comedian then takes a question from the audience and points at musical guest, Paul McCartney, who said, “Nice try, Chad. Get back behind the drums where you belong.”
Will Ferrell And Chad Smith’s First Meeting
Fans noticed Ferrell and Smith’s uncanny resemblance long before the two made it into a bit. In 2010, the drummer even wore a shirt that read, “I AM NOT WILL FERRELL” while performing on “Conan.”
At a conference in 2013, Smith begrudgingly told the story of his first encounter with the comedian. Ferrell and Smith both attended an advanced screening of the 2000 comedy film “The Ladies Man” and ran into each other while getting food at the buffet.
“We’re looking at each other, right? He looks me up and down, and says, ‘You’re very handsome,’ and then just walks away,” Smith said. At that time, Smith thought Ferrell was very funny. “But I don’t think he can play the drums for sh-t, and I certainly can not act as well as he does,” he said.
Will Ferrell Claimed To Be Chad Smith
In a 2014 Reddit AMA, one online user brought up Ferrell’s resemblance to the Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer. In response, the comedian wrote, “A lot of people think that it’s me playing for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But that would be an insult to Chad Smith. The truth of the matter is there is no Will Ferrell. Only Chad Smith.”
In a post for Funny or Die, Ferrell said it was “great to finally clear up the fact that I am Chad Smith.” In response, Smith told him to stop impersonating him and challenged him to a drum battle. “I’ve seen your skills, you don’t got ’em.”
On Smith’s Reddit AMA, Ferrell accepted the drum challenge, provided they raise funds for charity. “Hey Will, I’ve logged back in JUST to accept your challenge. Bring IT!” Smith said.
The Look-Alikes Had A Drum-Off In 2014
In 2014, Ferrell and Smith appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” to end their “feud.” They appeared wearing the same clothes: a KISS shirt, a leather jacket, jeans, and a backwards cap. While talking to Fallon, they committed to the bit, impersonating each other and appearing disgruntled.
At one point, Farrell told the host that he jammed with the Chili Peppers at their “jam house,” making Smith crack a bit. To end their feud and raise money for charity, they had an epic drum-off to find out who was the better drummer. Before they started, however, Ferrell said, “We were tricking you the whole time. This is Chad Smith, and I’m Will Ferrell.”
The two men took the stage, showing off their capabilities. While Smith delivered an epic performance, Ferrell gave an all-out effort despite lacking skills. Ferrell was declared the victor, and the rest of the Red Hot Chili Peppers joined them on stage for a performance of Blue Öyster Cult’s “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” a nod to one of Ferrell’s most famous “SNL” sketches.
Will Ferrell And Chad Smith Had A Second Drum-Off
Two years later, Ferrell and Smith reunited to co-host the “Red Hot Benefit Comedy + Music Show & Quinceañera” charity event sponsored by Funny or Die.
They took their competition to the next level, recruiting members for the team competition. On Smith’s team were Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee, Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins, and The Police’s Stewart Copeland. Ferrell, on the other hand, chose drummer and comedian Fred Armisen, Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood, and teen drummer Andy Lee.
Ferrell declared himself the winner, saying, “I win again! Now, who looks stupid, Chad?”