Will Forte

Biography

Will Forte is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and former Saturday Night Live cast member. Known for his distinctive comedic style and ability to portray both eccentric and dramatic characters, he has built a successful career in television and film.

Early Life

Will Forte was born Orville Willis Forte IV on June 17, 1970, in Alameda County, California, USA. He grew up in Moraga, California, and developed an interest in comedy and entertainment while attending college. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with a degree in history.

Before entering entertainment, Forte worked in sales and briefly considered pursuing a career in financial planning. He eventually moved toward comedy and began performing and writing professionally.

Saturday Night Live

Forte joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2002 and remained on the program until 2010. During his eight seasons, he became known for creating unusual and memorable characters and for his energetic sketch-comedy performances.

His work on Saturday Night Live helped establish him as a prominent comedy performer and writer. He was also involved in writing numerous sketches during his time on the show.

Film Career

Forte transitioned successfully into feature films, appearing in comedies such as MacGruber (2010), based on his popular Saturday Night Live character. He also appeared in Rock of Ages (2012), The Watch (2012), Nebraska (2013), and 22 Jump Street (2014).

His performance as David Grant in Alexander Payne's Nebraska represented a significant shift toward dramatic acting. The film received widespread critical acclaim and earned several Academy Award nominations.

Forte subsequently starred in Don Verdean (2015), Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016), A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018), and Good Boys (2019).

Television Career

One of Forte's most acclaimed television roles came in The Last Man on Earth (2015–2018), a post-apocalyptic comedy series that he created, wrote, produced and starred in. He played Phil Miller, one of the last surviving humans following a mysterious pandemic.

He has also appeared in series including 30 Rock, How I Met Your Mother, The Cleveland Show, Flipped, Sweet Tooth, and Bodkin.

Forte has also become an accomplished voice actor, lending his voice to animated productions such as The Great North, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Sausage Party, and HouseBroken.

Coyote vs. Acme

Forte stars as the lawyer representing Wile E. Coyote in Coyote vs. Acme (2026), a live-action/animated comedy directed by Dave Green.

The film follows Wile E. Coyote after Acme products repeatedly fail during his attempts to catch the Road Runner. Forte portrays the human lawyer who agrees to take on Acme Corporation in court. The movie combines live-action performances with the animated world of the Looney Tunes.

Notable Works

• Saturday Night Live (2002–2010)
• MacGruber (2010)
• Nebraska (2013) – David Grant
• The Last Man on Earth (2015–2018) – Phil Miller
• 22 Jump Street (2014)
• The LEGO Movie (2014) – Voice
• The Willoughbys (2020) – Voice
• Sweet Tooth (2021–2024)
• Coyote vs. Acme (2026)

Awards and Recognition

Forte has received recognition for both his comedic and dramatic work. His performance in Nebraska was particularly praised for demonstrating his ability to move beyond comedy into emotionally complex dramatic roles.