Frat Pack
The Frat Pack is a nickname given to a group of American comedy actors who have appeared together in many of the highest-grossing comedy films since the mid-1990s. The group is usually considered to include Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Jack Black, and Vince Vaughn.
Origins[edit]
The term was used by USA Today in a June 2004 story and was soon picked up by other media outlets.[1][2][3] Before USA Today dubbed this group the "Frat Pack", Entertainment Weekly had referred to them as the "Slacker Pack",[4] having earlier coined the term "Frat Pack" to describe actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Edward Norton, who have acted together in dramas.[5] By 2005, Entertainment Weekly had dropped the "Slacker Pack" term and followed suit, referring to the aforementioned crop of actors as the "Frat Pack".[6][7][8]
The name is an allusion to the Rat Pack (and the later Brat Pack), combined with a reference to the group's popular fraternity-related film Old School, and the sophomoric style of humor employed in many of their films.[1] Ben Stiller has decried the use of the term, saying, "I think the whole thing about the Frat Pack group is completely fabricated anyway."[9]
Membership[edit]
Initially, the core members included Jack Black, Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, and brothers Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson, all of whom were recognized by USA Today in an early feature. Later, John C. Reilly, David Koechner, and Steve Carell were also included in the Pack.[10] The previous year, USA Today had listed Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, and Leslie Mann as the Frat Pack's "Junior Varsity".[11] While hosting Saturday Night Live in September 2005, Carell indirectly claimed membership by mentioning Stiller, Vaughn, Ferrell, Owen Wilson, and Black, and saying he was "one of those guys now".[12]
In 2005, Details Magazine called Judd Apatow, Adam McKay, and Todd Phillips "The Frat Packagers". A year later, Paul Rudd was called a Frat Pack member by the New York Post and other publications.[13][14] Asked by an interviewer with The Advocate whether Knocked Up would usher him into the Frat Pack, Rudd said he was a "pledge" that hasn't "been initiated yet into the brotherhood".
Years later, in a 2011 interview, Rudd acknowledged his association with the group by saying, "As far as the Frat Pack concept goes, I'm happy to be included. I think the elder statesmen in it are really talented, and I'm a fan of all of them."[15] In a 2008 interview with Moviefone's Unscripted, Jack Black jokingly initiated Robert Downey Jr. into the Frat Pack, due to his starring role in Tropic Thunder with Black and Ben Stiller.[16]
The members of the Frat Pack have worked regularly with certain directors. Wes Anderson is a college friend of the Wilsons and directed them in both Bottle Rocket and The Royal Tenenbaums (which also starred Stiller). Todd Phillips directed Old School and Starsky & Hutch. Adam McKay directed Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and Step Brothers, which included John C. Reilly in a lead role. Judd Apatow is the writer/producer of several Frat Pack comedies, including Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. He made his directorial debut with The 40-Year-Old Virgin, starring Steve Carell, and followed up with Knocked Up, starring Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd, with a cameo by Carell. Apatow was also a co-creator of The Ben Stiller Show. Wedding Crashers director David Dobkin worked again with Vince Vaughn for the Christmas comedy Fred Claus (2007).
The Farrelly Brothers have directed Frat Pack members Ben Stiller in There's Something About Mary and The Heartbreak Kid, Jack Black in Shallow Hal and Owen Wilson in Hall Pass.
Filmography[edit]
While no film so far has featured every member of the Frat Pack, numerous films have featured multiple members. Additionally, Will Ferrell and Ben Stiller were both cast members of Saturday Night Live, as was frequent collaborator David Koechner; all members have hosted Saturday Night Live as well. Ferrell, Koechner, and Black all made guest appearances on The Office, which starred Carrell for most of its run. All members have presented during the Academy Awards; additionally, Steve Carrell and Owen Wilson have both been nominated (Wilson for Best Original Screenplay for The Royal Tenenbaums and Carell for Best Actor for Foxcatcher).[17][18]
| Movie/Series/Misc. | Jack Black | Ben Stiller | Luke Wilson | Owen Wilson | Vince Vaughn | Will Ferrell | Paul Rudd | Seth Rogen | David Koechner | Steve Carell | Close contributors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottle Rocket (1996) |
Lead role | Lead role, writer | Wes Anderson (director, co-writer), Andrew Wilson | ||||||||
| The Cable Guy (1996) |
Supporting role | Director, cameo | Supporting role | Judd Apatow (producer), Jim Carrey, Leslie Mann, Andy Dick, David Cross, Janeane Garofalo | |||||||
| Bongwater (1997) |
Supporting role | Lead role | Kyle Gass, Andy Dick, Janeane Garofalo, Brittany Murphy | ||||||||
| Permanent Midnight (1998) |
Lead role | Supporting role | Andy Dick, Fred Willard, Janeane Garofalo | ||||||||
| Rushmore (1998) |
Minor role | Co-writer | Wes Anderson (director, co-writer), Bill Murray, Andrew Wilson | ||||||||
| The Suburbans (1999) |
Supporting role | Lead role | Jerry Stiller | ||||||||
| Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000) |
Minor role | Lead role | Minor role | Jason Segel, James Franco, Martin Starr, David Krumholtz | |||||||
| Meet the Parents (2000) |
Lead role | Supporting role | Judah Friedlander, Teri Polo, Shauna Robertson | ||||||||
| The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) |
Lead role | Lead role | Lead role, co-writer, Oscar nominee | Wes Anderson (director, producer, co-writer, Oscar nominee), Andrew Wilson, Bill Murray | |||||||
| Zoolander (2001) |
Lead role, director, writer, producer | Lead role | Minor role | Lead role | Christine Taylor, Andrew Wilson, Jerry Stiller, Andy Dick, Judah Friedlander, Stuart Cornfeld (producer), Patton Oswalt, James Marsden | ||||||
| Undeclared (2001–2002) |
Minor role | Minor role | Lead role | David Krumholtz, Martin Starr, Jay Baruchel | |||||||
| Orange County (2002) |
Lead role | Minor role | Leslie Mann | ||||||||
| The Third Wheel (2002) |
Lead role | Minor role | |||||||||
| Old School (2003) |
Lead role | Lead role | Lead role | Todd Phillips (director), Matt Walsh, Andy Dick | |||||||
| Starsky & Hutch (2004) |
Lead role, executive producer | Lead role | Lead role | Supporting role | Todd Phillips (director), Jason Bateman, Matt Walsh, Terry Crews, Patton Oswalt | ||||||
| Envy (2004) |
Lead role | Lead role | Amy Poehler, Christopher Walken | ||||||||
| Around the World in 80 Days (2004) |
Minor role | Minor role | Steve Coogan, Rob Schneider, Will Forte | ||||||||
| Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004) |
Lead role | Lead role, producer | Christine Taylor, Jason Bateman, Hank Azaria | ||||||||
| Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) |
Cameo | Cameo | Minor role | Supporting role | Lead role, writer, executive producer | Lead role | Minor role | Lead role | Lead role | Ian Roberts, Judd Apatow (producer), Fred Willard, Adam McKay (writer, director), Fred Armisen, Kathryn Hahn | |
| Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie (2004) |
Minor role | Supporting role | Lead role, writer, executive producer | Lead role | Minor role | Lead role | Lead role | Amy Poehler, Judd Apatow (producer), Fred Willard, Adam McKay (writer, director), Fred Armisen | |||
| Meet the Fockers (2004) |
Lead role | Minor role | J. P. Manoux | ||||||||
| Wedding Crashers (2005) |
Lead role | Lead role | Minor role (uncredited) | Christopher Walken, Isla Fisher, Rachel McAdams, Bradley Cooper | |||||||
| Bewitched (2005) |
Lead Role | Supporting Role | Jason Schwartzman | ||||||||
| The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) |
Supporting role | Supporting role | Minor role | Lead role | Jonah Hill, Jane Lynch, Leslie Mann, Kevin Hart | ||||||
| The Wendell Baker Story (2005) |
Lead role, director, writer | Lead role | Minor role | Andrew Wilson | |||||||
| Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) |
Lead role | Supporting role | Judd Apatow, John C. Reily, Amy Adams, Molly Shannon, Jane Lynch, Gary Cole, Andy Richter, Rob Riggle, Adam McKay (writer, director) | ||||||||
| Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006) |
Lead role, writer, songs | Minor role, producer | Minor role (deleted scene) | Kyle Gass, Amy Poehler, Jason Segel (deleted scene/DVD), Fred Armisen | |||||||
| You, Me and Dupree (2006) |
Lead role | Supporting role | Matt Dillon | ||||||||
| Night at the Museum (2006) |
Lead role | Supporting role (uncredited) | Supporting role | Steve Coogan, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais, Carla Gugino | |||||||
| Blades of Glory (2007) |
Producer | Minor role | Lead role | Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Jenna Fischer | |||||||
| Knocked Up (2007) |
Lead role | Lead role | Cameo (Uncredited) | Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Leslie Mann, Jay Baruchuel, Martin Starr | |||||||
| Drillbit Taylor (2008) |
Lead role | Co-writer | Minor role | Danny McBride, Leslie Mann, Judd Apatow, Kevin Hart | |||||||
| Get Smart (2008) |
Supporting role | Lead role | Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin | ||||||||
| Kung Fu Panda (2008) |
Lead role | Supporting role | David Cross | ||||||||
| Tropic Thunder (2008) |
Lead role | Lead role, director, writer, producer | Dropped out (originally supporting role) | Steve Coogan, Christine Taylor, Danny McBride, Jay Baruchuel, Bill Hader | |||||||
| Over Her Dead Body (2008) |
Cameo | Lead role | |||||||||
| Monsters vs. Aliens (2009) |
Minor role | Lead role | Reese Witherspoon, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler | ||||||||
| Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) |
Lead role | Supporting role | Amy Adams, Steve Coogan, Jonah Hill, Hank Azaria, Robin Williams, Ed Helms, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader | ||||||||
| Dinner for Schmucks (2010) |
Lead role | Lead role | Zach Galifianakis, Jemaine Clement | ||||||||
| Little Fockers (2010) |
Lead role | Lead role | Kevin Hart | ||||||||
| Megamind (2010) |
Minor Role (originally lead role), Producer | Lead role | Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross | ||||||||
| How Do You Know (2010) |
Lead role | Lead role | Andrew Wilson, Kathryn Hahn, Reese Witherspoon | ||||||||
| Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) |
Lead role | Supporting role | David Cross, Danny McBride | ||||||||
| The Big Year (2011)[19] |
Lead role | Producer | Lead role | Steve Martin, Anthony Anderson, Joel McHale | |||||||
| Fight For Your Right Revisited (2011) |
Lead role | Lead role | Lead role | Amy Poehler, Will Arnett | |||||||
| The Watch (2012) |
Lead role | Lead role | Co-writer | Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade | |||||||
| The Internship (2013) |
Lead Role | Lead Role | Minor Role | Rose Byrne, Rob Riggle | |||||||
| This Is the End (2013) |
Minor role | Lead role, director, writer, producer | James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, David Krumholtz, Martin Starr, Jason Segel (uncredited), Kevin Hart | ||||||||
| Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013) |
Minor role | Lead role, writer | Lead role | Lead role | Lead role | Steve Carell, Adam McKay (writer, director), James Marsden | |||||
| Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) |
Lead role | Supporting role | Steve Coogan, Rebel Wilson, Robin Williams | ||||||||
| Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) |
Lead role | Supporting role | David Cross, Rebel Wilson | ||||||||
| Zoolander 2 (2016) |
Lead role | Lead role | Supporting role | Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen | |||||||
| Sausage Party (2016) |
Supporting role | Lead role, writer, producer | Jonah Hill, James Franco, Danny McBride, David Krumholtz | ||||||||
| The Polka King (2017) | Lead role, producer | Executive producer | Jenny Slate, Jason Schwartzman, J.B. Smoove | ||||||||
| Brad's Status (2017)[20] |
Lead role | Supporting role | Jenna Fischer | ||||||||
| Zeroville (2019) |
Minor role (uncredited) | Supporting role | James Franco, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, | ||||||||
| Queenpins (2021) |
Executive producer | Lead role | Kristen Bell, Paul Walter Hauser, Joel McHale, Jack McBrayer | ||||||||
| The Shrink Next Door (2021) |
Lead role, producer | Lead role, producer | Kathryn Hahn | ||||||||
| Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022) |
Soundtrack | Cameo | Supporting Role | ||||||||
| Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) |
Cameo | Lead role | Bill Murray | ||||||||
| The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) |
Lead role | Supporting role | Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Keegan-Michael Key, Sebastian Maniscalco, Fred Armisen | ||||||||
| IF (2024) |
Supporting Role | Supporting Role | |||||||||
| Despicable Me 4 (2024) |
Supporting Role | Lead Role |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Wloszczyna, Susan (June 15, 2004), "Wilson and Vaughn: Leaders of the 'Frat Pack'", USA Today, retrieved February 14, 2010
- ^ Wloszczyna, Susan (June 21, 2004), "Life in the 'Frat Pack'", Chicago Sun-Times, p. 47
- ^ Randall, Laura (July 9, 2004), "Unlikely heroes of the box office: The Frat Pack", The Christian Science Monitor, retrieved February 14, 2010
- ^ Rich, Joshua (April 23, 2004), "The A.V. Club", Entertainment Weekly, archived from the original on July 12, 2009, retrieved February 14, 2010
- ^ Daly, Steve (April 24, 1998), "Introducing The Frat Pack", Entertainment Weekly, retrieved February 14, 2010
- ^ Lundergaard (July 14, 2005). "Frat Packers just get better". Today.com. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
- ^ Kane, Michael (August 14, 2005), "The Frat Pack- How a Dozen Doofs Saved Comedy", New York Post, p. 78
- ^ Susman, Gary (August 17, 2005), "Who's the Kevin Bacon of comedy?", Entertainment Weekly, retrieved February 14, 2010
- ^ "Stiller tired of "Frat Pack" label". Ben Stiller dot Net. September 23, 2006. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
- ^ "Frat Pack persona: Archetype casting". USA Today. July 13, 2006. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
- ^ Breznican, Anthony (August 11, 2005), "Carell just wants some love", USA Today, retrieved February 14, 2010
- ^ Wloszczyna, Susan (July 13, 2006), "'Frat Pack' splits", USA Today, retrieved June 10, 2011
- ^ Stewart, Sara (April 30, 2006), "Boys' Life – Frat Pack Back on Track this Summer", New York Post, p. 44
- ^ Garcia, Chris (June 22, 2007), "Hollywood's funny frat pack", Austin American-Statesman, retrieved February 14, 2010
- ^ Crossman, Kevin (April 19, 2011), "Paul Rudd Interview", The Frat Pack Tribute, retrieved June 10, 2011
- ^ Moviefone's Unscripted with the stars of Tropic Thunder, retrieved June 14, 2011
- ^ 2002|Oscars.org
- ^ 2015|Oscars.org
- ^ The Big Year at IMDb
- ^ McNary, Dave (May 19, 2017). "Ben Stiller's 'Brad's Status' Gets Distribution From Annapurna, Amazon". Variety. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
External links[edit]
- Boys' Own Stories from Sight and Sound magazine, tracing the history of the Frat Pack
- Timeline of movies for Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell
- Timeline of movies for Will Ferrell and Ben Stiller