For all the wonderful comedy talents over the last 25 years, surely nobody has bossed the genre quite so relentlessly, consistently and hilariously as Will Ferrell. He has his haters, like any leading funnymen in the history of cinema, but there is also a generation of movie lovers who see the 46-year-old as one of their comedy heroes. After being a cast member on Saturday Night Live in the mid 1990s, he then appeared in the first two Austin Powers movies. His cameos as hopeless hitman Mustafa were brief but memorable. He was then hysterical in the 2001 smash Zoolander, as the incredibly camp fashion mogul Mugatu, but it was Old School two years later that made him a star. He was legendary as Frank "the Tank" Ricard, and he was equally brilliant in the Christmas classic Elf in that same year. Of course, the role that will forever define Ferrell's career is that of Ron Burgundy in Anchorman, and rightly so. His performance as the idiotic newsreader is unbelievable, and he made it one of the most quotable films in history. The sequel is also very funny in parts (and underrated). The American is the funniest aspect of virtually every film he appears in, whether it be a main part or a supporting role - he is fantastic as Big Earl in Starsky & Hutch and Chazz Reinhold in Wedding Crashers, for example - and he has been prolific for many years now. Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby, Blades of Glory, Semi-Pro, The Other Guys and The Campaign are all good comedies with some classic Ferrell moments, and it's very rare that his films fail. You never quite know when a comedy actor might suddenly disappear off the face of the earth and lose their magic touch, and the hope is that Ferrell remains at the top of his game for many years to come. Everyone should appreciate him while he's at the peak of his powers. Let us know your 10 favourite comedy actors of the last 25 years in the comments section. And follow Henry on Twitter: @HenryJackson87
