Chelsea Black is a writer and digital media content creator with a background in public relations and diversity studies. She strives to create and showcase content that emphasizes representation for all communities and overall diversity and inclusion. Her values and beliefs align with The Hollywood Insideras she believes that the power the media holds should be used in meaningful and uplifting ways. She believes in the capabilities of storytelling and that it can promote positive change in many aspects. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys reading and reflective writing.
Aug 11, 2024
Will Forte is a comedy superstar known for a variety of roles within the entertainment industry, but comedy and writing were not always his career path. Following in his father’s footsteps, he graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, and ultimately became a financial broker. Growing up, Will Forte had always shown interest in the comedy world and has referenced comedians such as Peter Sellers, David Letterman, and Steve Martin as some of his comedy idols. However, he had shown interest in comedy. Will Forte never really planned on making it into a career for himself until he convinced himself that being a financial broker was not all life could offer him. While working as a financial broker, Will Forte co-wrote a feature-length script and quickly realized that he had a passion for writing. While attending the University of California, people had encouraged Will Forte to take on comedy. From this, he began his comedy journey by taking classes at the Groundlings in Los Angeles, which is known for producing many other famous celebrities such as Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, and Melissa McCarthy. His first professional job writing would be for television on ‘The Jenny McCarthy Show,’ which was a variety show starring Jenny McCarthy. It wouldn’t be long before Will Forte would be asked to audition for the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ where he would ultimately land a job on the writing staff and actually get to work with one of his childhood idols.
After his time came to an end at the ‘Late Show with David Letterman,’ he would find himself heading back to perform for the Groundlings’ Main Company, where he would work alongside other celebrities such as Maya Rudolph and Cheryl Hines. In 2000 he would find himself landing more high-profile jobs writing for popular television shows such as ‘3rd Rock from the Sun’ and ‘That ‘70s Show.’ While still working with the Groundlings Main Company, he would be noticed by the iconic ‘Saturday Night Live’ creator, Lorne Michaels, who would ultimately invite him to audition for the show. At this point in time, Will Forte was in an excellent position writing for ‘That ‘70s Show’ as the show had just been renewed for two more seasons. He would audition for ‘Saturday Night Live’ and absolutely win over the crew but turned down the position, noting his comfortability with his writing career.’ Despite this initial decline, Forte found himself on the SNL stage during its twenty-eighth season. After all his years prior to joining the show, Will Forte has mentioned that he found it difficult at first to perform like he had in the past, but after some time, he found himself comfortable again. He continued to star on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and eventually found himself stepping into acting and writing more following his exit from the show in 2010. Will Forte has continued to thrive in the television and film industry ever since, with a variety of famous roles and projects under his belt.
Will Forte was born on June 17, 1970, in Alameda, California, to his mother, Patricia C., and father, Orville Willis “Reb” Forte III. As mentioned before, Will Forte was not always so interested in taking on the comedy world but had shown interest as a child, even acting out radio shows and pranking his parents often. He was a football star in high school and completed college, headed on the track to work a 9-to-5 job. It is extremely interesting that Will Forte had a later start than most other comedians within the industry but was still able to win over people and take it on, which is highly inspiring. This fact just goes to show that it is never too late or too early to follow your dreams which I think Will Forte makes a good example of. His success with the Groundlings ultimately would kickstart his successful career, and he has continued to remain successful ever since with new projects in the works. In the mid-2000s, he would star in films and television shows such as ‘The Brothers Solomon,’ ‘The Slammin’ Salmon,’ ‘Sit Down, Shut Up,’ and more. Will Forte’s best-known character on ‘Saturday Night Live’ was MacGruber which became so popular that Lorne Michaels approached Will Forte with the idea of a MacGruber film. ‘MacGruber’ was officially released in 2010 and was such a hit that it has since led to ‘MacGruber’ the television series and even a second film ‘MacGruber 2.’ Will Forte also began writing for the popular television show ‘The Last Man on Earth‘ starring himself, January Jones, and Cleopatra Coleman.
In 2022, Forte was seen in ‘Studio 666‘ with Jenna Ortega and Jeff Garlin, directed by BJ McDonnell. Will Forte was also recently seen in ‘Strays‘ with Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx, directed by Josh Greenbaum. Will Forte will also next be seen in ‘Expiration Date,’ which is a television mini-series. Overall, Will Forte is a comedy superstar who has inspired many over the years with his humor and ambition. I am excited to see what projects he stars in and works on next.
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
Chelsea Black is a writer and digital media content creator with a background in public relations and diversity studies. She strives to create and showcase content that emphasizes representation for all communities and overall diversity and inclusion. Her values and beliefs align with The Hollywood Insideras she believes that the power the media holds should be used in meaningful and uplifting ways. She believes in the capabilities of storytelling and that it can promote positive change in many aspects. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys reading and reflective writing.
Chelsea Black is a writer and digital media content creator with a background in public relations and diversity studies. She strives to create and showcase content that emphasizes representation for all communities and overall diversity and inclusion. Her values and beliefs align with The Hollywood Insideras she believes that the power the media holds should be used in meaningful and uplifting ways. She believes in the capabilities of storytelling and that it can promote positive change in many aspects. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys reading and reflective writing.
Chelsea Black is a writer and digital media content creator with a background in public relations and diversity studies. She strives to create and showcase content that emphasizes representation for all communities and overall diversity and inclusion. Her values and beliefs align with The Hollywood Insideras she believes that the power the media holds should be used in meaningful and uplifting ways. She believes in the capabilities of storytelling and that it can promote positive change in many aspects. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys reading and reflective writing.
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