Will Ferrell was surprised with the viral animatronic Buddy the Elf during an appearance on the TODAY show on Jan. 28.

The 'Elf' star opened up about the viral stunt that had fans talking — and the unexpected inspiration behind his offbeat take ...

Will Ferrell says some of his fans were not too happy about his decision to bring back Buddy the Elf as a smoker and drinker.

"The reaction was insane," the actor said of internet attention on his costumed Buddy the Elf appearance on Dec. 29 Ronald Martinez/Getty Will Ferrell ... it would be funny if I just got a Buddy ...

Will Ferrell embraced his weird side during ... I told my wife [Viveca Paulin], ‘Over the break, it would be funny if I just got a Buddy the Elf costume and didn’t shave for a week, and ...

It seems like not everyone cares that Buddy the Elf may be going through a midlife crisis. In December, Will Ferrell went viral ... it would be funny if I just got a Buddy the Elf costume and ...

(CNN) — Christmas might be over, but we’re still thinking about that moment from long-ago December when Will Ferrell ... it would be funny if I just got a Buddy the Elf costume and didn ...

Buddy the Elf meets animatronic Buddy the Elf. The elf then recited one of Ferrell's quotes from the movie in an eerie, robotic voice. “Why don’t you just say it? I’m the worst toymaker in ...