Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Netflix
Will Ferrell, Harper Steele and director Josh Greenbaum discuss their new documentary ‘Will & Harper’ with ‘Extra’s’ Melvin Roberts.
After Will’s best friend of 30 years, Harper, comes out as a trans woman, the two go on a road trip to bond and explore a new chapter in their relationship.
“She loves this country, and it was an opportunity to see if this country loves her,” Will said of the trip with Harper. He joked, “And selfishly, I’ve never driven across the country before, so that was the real reason.”
Harper recalled the first email she sent to Will and rewrote it several times before finally sending it. She said, “This was just a way for me to let people know that I was transitioning into my true self.”
“When you put yourself out there like that, you don’t necessarily want people to come and write you long letters back, you just want people to say, ‘Okay,’ right away. I love you.” My friend Will did that for me,” Harper said.
Will admitted in the document that he didn’t know what exactly to say. He told Melvin, “Then it becomes numb and you don’t say anything. That’s the worst.”
He praised Harper for giving him the grace “to stumble through asking these questions,” adding, “Some questions I ask the right way, and some I don’t. She allows me to make these mistakes.”
Will and Harper recalled first bonding when they worked together in the early days of “SNL” in 1995. Will was the scene-stealing comedian, Harper, and Andrew were the head writers.
Harper said, “He was a little boring, a little formal…He wasn’t trying to make people laugh. I like that kind of mystery and a little bit of subtlety.” I commented. It happened quickly when he performed in front of the camera. ”
Will shared his two cents and said: “I always told myself that we’re on a comedy show so we should have fun. Let me remind people, that was our bond.”
Josh talked about working with Will and Harper as a director and mentioned Harper’s cross-country road trips over the years. “We’re just trying to keep moving forward,” he said. “And it was such a joy to drive together and listen to their conversations go from incredibly funny to incredibly deep and then back again. And to spend time together. It was a real honor to be able to do that.”
“Will & Harper” will be available on Netflix starting September 27th.
