Comedy Tonight! Tony Nom Will Ferrell to Inaugurate Conan's New Show

Newly minted Tonight Show host Conan O’Brien will chat up Tony nominee Will Ferrell as his very first guest, according to The New York Times. O’Brien, who takes the Tonight reigns from former host Jay Leno, will begin his new NBC gig on June 1. Ferrell was nommed as a Special Theatrical Event for his Broadway show, You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush.

Ferrell made his Broadway debut in the part of George W. Bush in You’re Welcome America, directed by longtime comedy collaborator Adam McKay. The political spoof played to packed crowds at the Cort Theatre from January 20 coinciding with President Obama’s inauguration to March 15, 2009.

Ferrell got his start on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, where he perfected many hilarious characters including a spot-on impersonation of President Bush. Starring on the weekly show from 1995 to 2006, he appeared on a total of 140 episodes. He most recently hosted the show’s season finale. In Hollywood, the actor’s popularity rose with standout roles in comedy films like Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, A Night at the Roxbury, Superstar, The Ladies Man, Zoolander and Old School. In 2003, his name went above the title, driving the holiday hit Elf to box office gold, a feat he repeated the following summer with Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy. Ferrell is now one of the busiest actors working in movies; recent films include Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Stranger Than Fiction, Blades of Glory, Semi-Pro, Step Brothers and the musical film version of The Producers, in which he played Franz Liebkind. He received Golden Globe nominations for his work in Stranger Than Fiction and The Producers.

Ferrell reportedly appeared on O’Brien’s previous program, Late Night, a total of 17 times, including the final show.