History of Will Forte in Timeline

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Will Forte

Will Forte is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer, best known for his eight seasons as a cast member and writer on Saturday Night Live (2002-2010). He created the recurring character MacGruber, which led to a feature film and streaming series. Forte also created and starred in the sitcom The Last Man on Earth (2015–2018), earning three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his work on the show.

June 17, 1970: Will Forte Born

On June 17, 1970, Orville Willis Forte IV, also known as Will Forte, was born. He would later become a comedian, actor, writer, and producer.

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1988: Graduates High School

In 1988, Will Forte graduated from Acalanes High School where he was voted "Best Personality" and was a member of the football and swim teams.

2001: Spotted by Lorne Michaels

In 2001, while performing with The Groundlings, Will Forte was spotted by Lorne Michaels, the creator of Saturday Night Live, leading to an audition invitation.

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2002: Home Purchase in Santa Monica

In 2002, Will Forte bought a Craftsman home in Santa Monica, California, shortly before joining the cast of Saturday Night Live.

2002: Joins Saturday Night Live

In 2002, Will Forte joined the cast of NBC's Saturday Night Live as a cast member and writer.

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2002: Voice acting in Clone High

In 2002, Will Forte voiced Abraham Lincoln in Clone High.

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2003: Voice acting in Clone High

In 2003, Will Forte voiced Abraham Lincoln in Clone High.

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2004: Nearly fired from Saturday Night Live

In 2004, after his third season, Will Forte was nearly fired from Saturday Night Live, but was ultimately brought back after extensions to decide his fate.

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January 2007: First MacGruber Sketch Airs

In January 2007, the first MacGruber sketch, based on the TV series MacGyver, aired on Saturday Night Live, created by writer Jorma Taccone.

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2007: Co-stars in The Brothers Solomon

In 2007, Will Forte co-starred in and wrote the film The Brothers Solomon.

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2009: Voice work for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

In 2009, Will Forte provided voice-work for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

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2009: MacGruber Commercials

In 2009, the MacGruber sketches were spun off into a series of commercials sponsored by Pepsi premiering during Super Bowl XLIII. The commercials featured Richard Dean Anderson, the actor behind MacGyver, as MacGruber's father.

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May 2010: MacGruber film released

In May 2010, the MacGruber film was released, receiving mixed reviews and performing poorly at the box office.

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2010: Leaves Saturday Night Live; MacGruber film release

In 2010, Will Forte left Saturday Night Live after eight seasons. Also in 2010, the feature film adaptation of his recurring SNL character, MacGruber, was released.

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2010: Leaves Saturday Night Live

In 2010, Will Forte left Saturday Night Live after eight years, leading to a period of regret and smaller roles.

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2013: Working on The Last Man on Earth

In 2013, Will Forte began working on The Last Man on Earth with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

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2013: Stars in drama film Nebraska

In 2013, Will Forte starred in the drama film Nebraska.

2013: First Dramatic Role

In 2013, Will Forte took his first dramatic role in the film Run & Jump and auditioned for a role in Alexander Payne's film, Nebraska.

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2014: The Last Man on Earth picked up by Fox

In 2014, The Last Man on Earth was picked up by Fox, with Will Forte serving as creator, writer, lead role, and showrunner for the first season.

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2014: Voice work in The Lego Movie films

In 2014, Will Forte did voice work in The Lego Movie films, Michelangelo and Lincoln: History Cops.

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February 2015: OCD Mentioned in Grantland Article

In a February 2015 article on Grantland, it was mentioned that Will Forte often talked about his OCD tendencies, though it was unclear if he had ever been formally diagnosed.

2015: The Last Man on Earth Premieres

In 2015, The Last Man on Earth premiered to positive responses and was renewed for three further seasons.

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2015: Dates January Jones

In 2015, Will Forte dated his Last Man on Earth co-star January Jones.

2016: Plays Hulka in Keanu

In 2016, Will Forte played Hulka in the comedy Keanu.

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2016: Voice work for Get Squirrely

In 2016, Will Forte provided voice-work for Get Squirrely.

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2018: The Last Man on Earth ends

In 2018, The Last Man on Earth, created by and starring Will Forte, ended its run.

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2018: Meets Olivia Modling

In 2018, Will Forte met Olivia Modling.

2018: Plays Douglas Kenney in A Futile and Stupid Gesture

In 2018, Will Forte played Douglas Kenney in the Netflix biographical film A Futile and Stupid Gesture and voiced Shaggy Rogers in the Scooby-Doo film Scoob!.

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2018: Voice work for Luis & the Aliens

In 2018, Will Forte provided voice-work for Luis & the Aliens.

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2019: Engagement to Olivia Modling

In 2019, Will Forte became engaged to Olivia Modling, whom he met in 2018.

2019: Voice work in The Lego Movie films

In 2019, Will Forte did voice work in The Lego Movie films.

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2020: Voice Work for The Willoughbys and Scoob!

In 2020, Will Forte did voice work for The Willoughbys and Scoob!

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February 2021: Birth of Daughter Zoe

In February 2021, Will Forte and Olivia Modling welcomed their first daughter, Zoe Douglas Forte.

July 31, 2021: Marriage to Olivia Modling

On July 31, 2021, Will Forte and Olivia Modling were married.

2021: Voice work in America: The Motion Picture

In 2021, Will Forte did voice work in America: The Motion Picture.

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2021: Stars in Sweet Tooth, reprises MacGruber, voices Wolf Tobin

In 2021, Will Forte starred in Sweet Tooth, reprised his role as MacGruber in a TV series on Peacock, and began voicing Wolf Tobin in the animated sitcom The Great North.

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2021: MacGruber limited series released

In 2021, Will Forte's MacGruber character was revived in a streaming limited series.

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2022: Leading role in Disney and Pixar's Win or Lose announced

In 2022, it was announced that Will Forte had a leading role for Disney and Pixar's first animated television series Win or Lose.

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2023: Voice Work in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

In 2023, Will Forte did voice work in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.

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2024: Main role in Sunny Nights announced

In 2024, Will Forte was announced in the main role of Martin in Sunny Nights.

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2024: Voice work for Sausage Party: Foodtopia

Will Forte did voice work in 2024 for Sausage Party: Foodtopia.

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2025: Win or Lose Premieres on Disney+

In 2025, Win or Lose premiered on Disney+ with Will Forte in a leading role.

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