The movie "Elf" is closing in on drinking age and is still as hilarious and heartwarming as ever — but where are the stars of the Christmas comedy all these years later? It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since we first saw the "Elf" cast make the sweet holiday film an instant classic.
Viewing "Elf," directed by Jon Favreau, has become a beloved holiday tradition. Released in 2003, the movie tells the story of Buddy — played by Will Ferrell — a human who, as a baby, accidentally crawls into Santa Claus's gift sack and is raised by elves at the North Pole. As Buddy grows up, he begins to realize he's not like the other elves and embarks on a journey to New York City to find his biological father, played by James Caan.
The film beautifully captures the magic and wonder of the holiday season, as Buddy's childlike innocence and enthusiasm bring a fresh perspective to the bustling and cynical city. Ferrell's performance is both endearing and comical, and the film's humor appeals to children as well as adults.
"Elf" delivers a heartwarming message about the power of family, love and embracing one's uniqueness. Its timeless laughs and ability to give viewers the warm-and-fuzzies have solidified its place in the pantheon of classic Christmas movies. With its festive spirit and delightful characters, "Elf" continues to be a must-watch movie for the entire family during the Christmas season, reminding us all to believe in the magic of the holidays.
Led by the exceptionally talented Ferrell, the cast of "Elf" is a delightful ensemble that contributes significantly to the film's enduring charm and appeal. Let's take a look at what the "Elf" cast has been up to since the film's release 20 years ago.
Will Ferrell (Buddy)
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Will Ferrell's portrayal of Buddy, the lovable human raised by elves, was a career-defining role. Post-"Elf," he cemented his status as a comedy legend. Ferrell starred in comedies including "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" and "Step Brothers," solidifying his reputation as one of the funniest actors in Hollywood. His exceptional comedic talent extended to producing and writing, notably in "The Other Guys" and "Get Hard." Recently, he played the bone-headed CEO of Mattel in "Barbie." Beyond his acting career, Ferrell's philanthropic efforts include co-founding "Ditch the Label," an anti-bullying campaign.
James Caan (Walter Hobbs)
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In "Elf," James Caan, known for playing tough-guy roles including Sonny Corleone in "The Godfather" trilogy, portrayed Walter Hobbs, Buddy's initially distant father. Following the film, he maintained a notable presence in the industry and made significant contributions to television, with recurring roles in series such as "Las Vegas" and "Hawaii Five-0." He also lent his voice to prominent animated films such as "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." In 2022, his passing at the age of 82 marked a poignant moment for the film world, as it lost a true legend.
Zooey Deschanel (Jovie)
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Zooey Deschanel played Jovie in "Elf," Buddy's love interest whose cynical nature is worn away by Buddy's relentless optimism. By the end, she lets her Christmas spirit — and her incredible singing voice — shine for all to see.
Deschanel's most noteworthy venture after "Elf" was her role as Jess Day in the beloved TV series "New Girl." The show became a critical and commercial success, running for seven seasons from 2011 to 2018. Her portrayal of the quirky and endearing schoolteacher earned her critical acclaim and made her a household name.
Aside from her acting career, Deschanel also explored her musical talents. She formed the folk duo She & Him with musician M. Ward. The duo released several albums including "Volume One" and "Volume Two," which received praise for their indie folk sound and Deschanel's sweet, melodic vocals
Mary Steenburgen (Emily Hobbs)
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Mary Steenburgen played Emily Hobbs, Buddy's kind-hearted stepmother who helps assuage Walter's wariness of his long-lost son. After "Elf," she continued to captivate audiences with her performances. She reprised her role as a motherly figure to Ferrell's man-child once more in 2008's "Step Brothers." Other notable projects included her role in "The Last Man on Earth," where she showcased her comedic talent; and "The Good Place," which earned her critical acclaim for her contributions to the popular TV series. In 2020, she appeared in the musical dramedy "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" and the LGBTQ+ romantic comedy "Happiest Season."
Bob Newhart (Papa Elf)
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In "Elf," Bob Newhart's portrayal of Papa Elf was an essential element of the film's charm. He provided sage guidance and humor as Buddy's adoptive father and eased us into the film's magical world as the narrator.
After his role in "Elf," Bob Newhart continued to be a cherished entertainer in the world of comedy. Newhart, known for his iconic stand-up comedy routines, remained active on the comedy circuit. He appeared in several TV shows including "Desperate Housewives," "NCIS" and "The Big Bang Theory." Moreover, Newhart lent his distinctive voice to animated projects such as Disney's "The Rescuers."
Ed Asner (Santa Claus)
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Ed Asner's heartwarming portrayal of Santa Claus in "Elf" made him one of the best to ever don ol' Saint Nick's signature red suit. His Santa helped pull Buddy out of a rut by reminding him of how special and valuable his joy could be. In turn, Buddy helped Santa save Christmas.
After the film, Asner continued to be active in the entertainment industry, lending his distinctive voice to various animated works, including the lead character and initially depressed senior citizen Carl Fredricksen in Disney-Pixar's "Up," as well as "The Cleveland Show" and "Regular Show."
In 2021, the industry mourned his passing, marking the end of a legendary acting career.
Daniel Tay (Michael Hobbs)
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Daniel Tay played Michael, Buddy's younger half-brother, providing a grounded perspective in the film. Since "Elf," Tay transitioned from acting to pursue a law career and has maintained a low public profile.
Peter Dinklage (Miles Finch)
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Peter Dinklage played Miles Finch, the talented author brought in to work on a children's book. But the plan goes awry when Buddy mistakes Finch for an elf. Post-"Elf," Dinklage gained worldwide recognition for his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister in the highly acclaimed TV series "Game of Thrones." His exceptional acting talents were also showcased in various films, including "X-Men: Days of Future Past," in which he played the role of Dr. Bolivar Trask. He also appeared in the critically acclaimed "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri," and played lead roles in the post-apocalyptic drama "I Think We're Alone Now" and the musical romantic drama "Cyrano."
Amy Sedaris (Deb)
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Amy Sedaris added humor and flair to "Elf" as Deb, Walter's quirky secretary. After the film, she lent her voice to animated TV series including "BoJack Horseman" and "The Simpsons." Additionally, Sedaris appeared in TV series such as "Strangers with Candy," where her comedic talents shone through. She brings that quirkiness to her appearances in the "Star Wars" sagas "The Mandalorian" and "The Book of Boba Fett," where she plays Peli Motto, a hangar manager and skilled ship engineer on Tatooine who helps Mando care for baby Grogu. In her series "At Home with Amy Sedaris" she played various characters and showcased her love of cooking, entertaining and crafts.
Faizon Love (Gimbel's Manager)
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In "Elf," Faizon Love portrays the no-nonsense manager of Gimbel's department store who does not have time for Buddy's antics. Following "Elf," he continued his acting career with appearances in dozens of movies and shows such as "Couples Retreat," a romantic comedy featuring a star-studded cast including Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau. Love also had a significant role in "Life in a Year," a 2020 drama film. He also had appearances in movies including "Just My Luck" and TV shows such as "Black-ish," "The Detroiters" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."
