Will Forte on Playing George W. Bush
Will Forte admits that following in Will Ferrell’s footsteps is a difficult act to follow. During a chat with fellow "Saturday Night Live" alum Amy Poehler on her "Smart Girls" podcast, Forte discussed the burden of playing George W. Bush on "SNL".
The Challenge of Playing Bush
Forte, who joined "SNL" in 2002, the same season as Ferrell’s last, recalled the intense competition among cast members. "It was a huge lineup – 17 people, you’re trying to get yourself noticed, you’re trying to get seen," he said. Despite the challenge, Forte managed to land the role of George Bush, which he described as "not a match made in heaven" due to his struggles with impressions.
Living Up to Ferrell’s Legacy
Ferrell’s iconic portrayal of Bush is one of the most well-known impressions in "SNL" history, and Forte felt the weight of living up to that standard. "Will Ferrell was George Bush! He was so good at it. Everyone knew it… It’s like trying to replace the Church Lady," he said, referencing Dana Carvey’s beloved character. Forte felt that he could never replace Ferrell’s unique take on the character and that it would be best to "just retire" the impression.
A Sense of Disappointment
Despite his best efforts, Forte felt that his portrayal of Bush was ultimately a "disappointment". He acknowledged that replacing Ferrell was a daunting task and that he couldn’t possibly live up to the expectations set by his predecessor. Forte spent eight seasons on "SNL" before leaving the show in 2010.
Life After SNL
Since leaving "SNL", Forte has gone on to appear in a variety of shows, including "The Simpsons", "The Great North", "Bob’s Burgers", "Sweet Tooth", and "Clone High". While he may not have been able to fill Ferrell’s shoes as George Bush, Forte has established himself as a talented comedic actor in his own right.
