By Leo Wolfson, Cowboy State daily.com
Will Ferrell, the star of blockbuster movies like “Talladega Nights” and “Step Brothers” made a few stops in Cody earlier this week, becoming pretty much a regular at one establishment.
Porter Koury, co-owner of Sitti’s Table, said Ferrell and his family came by her gourmet food market multiple times.
“He was just really nice,” she said.
Although he didn’t make any memorable jokes or one-liners, Scott said Ferrell was complimentary and told her he was drawn to her business originally because of the font on her sign outside.
“He’s one of my favorite actors so that was really awesome,” she said.
Koury said Ferrell told her he and his family had hoped to visit Yellowstone National Park while in the area, but were blocked in those efforts because of recent flooding that closed the park.
She recommended Ferrell check out the historic Chamberlin Inn and he took her up on the suggestion.
“He was great,” said Bill McPherson, general manager of the Chamberlain.
Ferrell shared some drinks in the cocktail lounge with his party at the Chamberlain and said he would return later in the day, but McPherson was unsure if he did.
McPherson said although Ferrell was not showing off his comedic chops, he was very polite and offered compliments for the Chamberlain, a historic hotel dating back to 1903 that has hosted guests such as Ernest Hemingway, Marshall Fields, and Larry Larom.
“Just for him to check it out and get a compliment from someone like that feels really good,” McPherson said.
McPherson said Ferrell was traveling with around eight people in three RVs. He said they told him they were staying at the Ponderosa Campground. A representative from Ponderosa said she was unaware if Ferrell was staying at their establishment but joked that he may have been staying “incognito.”
Ponderosa is next door to Dairy Queen, which means Ferrell could have easily walked over to get himself a cone or frozen treat.
A manager at the Dairy Queen said he had no knowledge of Ferrell ever coming in. If he did, it may still not have been as good as the “Anchorman” themed “Scotchy scotch scotch” ice cream he released in collaboration with Ben And Jerry’s in 2013.
Koury said Ferrell was headed to Livingston, Montana, next and planned to fly out from Bozeman.
Brush With Fame
The town of Cody is no stranger to celebrities. John Wayne was a parade marshal during the town’s Fourth of July festivities in 1976. “Yellowstone” star Cole Hauser will be the grand marshal this year.
Hip-hop star Kanye West called Cody home for about 18 months, from 2019-2021, and was spotted on numerous occasions around town.
McPherson said Ferrell was the most prominent celebrity he’s met, but he did meet the Prince of Monaco when he came to Cody a few years back.
Koury said she took it as quite the compliment that Ferrell would visit her business, which just opened this spring. She was able to resist the urge to ask for a signed photo to hang up. Signed photos with celebrities are a common fixture in many large metropolitan delis and restaurants.
“I didn’t want to ask him for that,” she said.
