Keep acting Saturday night live it was a mix of fun and hard work for Will Ferrell.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 57-year-old actor — who starred in the late-night sketch comedy series from 1995 to 2002 — reflected on his memories of his time performing on the Studio 8H stage.
“I had a wonderful seven seasons on that show, where I made lifelong friends,” says Ferrell, who is a partner with PayPal.
“I knew at that moment that it would be the hardest but most fun job I would ever do, and I still look at it that way,” he continues.
During his time at SNLFerrell has been part of a variety of memorable skits, including “More Cowbell,” “Spartan Cheerleaders at Tryouts” and “Dr. Beaman’s Office: Test Results.” He has also done various celebrity impressions, including Alex Trebek, George W. Bush and others. Phil, to name a few.
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Will Ferrell’s iconic ‘SNL’ characters.
Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Mary Ellen Matthews/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
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Looking at today, like SNL is celebrating its landmark 50th season, Ferrell says it’s a feeling like no other to see the show still going strong after five decades.
“It’s a really amazing thing to have this live television show that continues to put its finger on the pulse of what we’re all thinking, and that’s a real credit [creator] Lorne [Michaels] because I even thought about it,” he tells PEOPLE.
“It was the one thing I always dreamed of being a part of,” Ferrell continues, adding, “It’s kind of huge to think about it in a way, 50 years of what really defined American comedy.”
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As for the celebration SNLseason 50 with other former and current cast members in the coming months, the father of three says, “Thank God, I don’t have to put together a series, whatever they’re planning to do, … because I don’t know how to distill 50 years of great moments, from music to comedy and cultural things, to the show.”
Saturday night live airs weekends on NBC.
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