Elf cast now: From owning a football team to studying at Yale and heartbreaking death

Every year, as we countdown to Christmas, we start watching some classic festive films. One of those favourites is Elf, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. It features Buddy the Elf as the protagonist, a human who has been raised by Santa's elves and goes to New York City to find his dad.

The film, which was released on 7 November 2003 is so popular that it's inspired a Broadway musical and an animated TV special. Here, we take a look at what the cast of Elf is up to now, 20 years after it was first on the big screens.... Will Ferrell Buddy the Elf was played by Will, 56, who had been on Saturday Night Live from 1995-2002 before landing the role.

Since the film, he's been in films including Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Step Brothers and The Lego Movie.

The comic actor's roles haven't stopped there as he also starred in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga and Barbie. Will's not just been in front of the camera, he's been behind it too, working as an executive producer on the HBO series Succession, getting two Emmy Awards for it. He also co-owns the football team Los Angeles FC and is married to actor Viveca Paulin, 54, who he shares three children with, Magnus, 19, Mattias, 16, and Axel, 13.

Zooey Deschanel The actress played Jovie in Elf, not long after starring in the film Almost Famous. After Elf, Zooey has enjoyed further success, starring in Yes Man, 500 Days Of Summer and Trolls. Another of her very popular roles is Jess Day in New Girl, which aired from 2011 to 2018.

Zooey's dabbled in music too, as a part of the duo She & Him, singing alongside her pal M. Ward and also performing for several film soundtracks. She's engaged to Property Brothers star Jonathan Scott, 45, and