Will Ferrell Takes a Memorable Road Trip with His Best Friend in 'Will & Harper'

Will Ferrell and Harper Steele: A Road Trip of Friendship and Self-Discovery

Comedy icon Will Ferrell and former "Saturday Night Live" head writer Harper Steele share a deep bond that dates back to the mid-'90s, when they both started at SNL in the same week. Steele was instrumental in crafting some of Ferrell’s most memorable characters, including those iconic Robert Goulet sketches. While Ferrell has since risen to fame with hits like "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," Steele has remained a pivotal figure behind the scenes, championing Ferrell’s early comedic talent.

Two years ago, Steele took a significant personal step, coming out as a trans woman in a heartfelt letter to family and friends. "That letter was really hard to send," Steele recalls. "I just kept rewriting it over and over again trying to say what I wanted to say."

Feeling uncertain about driving across the country as a trans woman, Steele’s longtime friend Ferrell proposed a road trip from upstate New York to California as a way to explore this new chapter in her life. Their journey, captured in the new documentary "Will & Harper," premiered in theaters on Friday and will be available on Netflix later this month.

The 17-day trip was filled with humor, camaraderie, and the occasional reality check about the challenges faced by trans individuals. Steele expressed a mix of excitement and apprehension about the journey, noting, "I love this country so much, I'm just not sure if it loves me back right now." Despite these concerns, the road trip proved to be a joyful experience marked by laughter, tears, and a lot of beer.

Ferrell reflected on the road trip with a touch of humor, saying, "I'm a much better driver than Harper. Like, that's not even opinion; that's fact, that's science." Steele appreciated the protective aura that came with traveling alongside Ferrell, acknowledging the extra layer of security his presence provided.

The documentary has been well-received, earning two standing ovations at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Ferrell attributes the film’s positive reception to its depiction of kindness and human connection. "People are just ready for acts of civility. They just want to see people being nice to each other," he said. Steele echoed this sentiment, adding, "It was a lot of people being nice to us, all across the country. And I think people just loved seeing that we can all still hang out with each other."

"Will & Harper" is now playing in theaters and will begin streaming on Netflix on September 27.