Ten-year-old Wins Role in Will Ferrell Movie

Authored by Scott Goldberg on September 27, 2007 - 6:31am.

Will Ferrell auctioned off a role in his new film for charity

A fraternity brother of Will Ferrell’s at USC running a foundation called Cancer for College auctioned off a role in the actor’s new movie, Step Brother. The winner, a 10-year-old from Dallas, came in with a bid of $47,100 for the non-speaking part. His father, who wishes to remain anonymous, placed the bid for a purpose larger than a simple opportunity to rub elbows with Ferrell. "Winning this auction means a lot to me on a very personal basis," he said in a statement released by the foundation. "I lost my mother to ovarian cancer a few years ago, so I feel fortunate that my 10-year-old and I are able to participate in an event involving Cancer for College and Will Ferrell."

The idea for the auction was Ferrell’s. "We are overwhelmed with the response and generosity to the auction," he said. "This money will help so many young people with their dreams of attending college."

Ferrell’s friend Craig Pollard, a two-time survivor of Hodgkin’s disease, began Cancer for College to assist current and former cancer patients in receiving college scholarships. The foundation was given $200,000 in scholarships to 50 cancer survivors since 1993.