Will Ferrell has famous brother who you’ll have seen in his films without even knowing

Will Ferrell is one of the most popular comedy actors out there, but it's probably only his parents who might have realised that his brother has also appeared in some of his most iconic movies.

While fellow comedy legend Adam Sandler is known for putting his family in his movies, you probably didn't spot Will Ferrell's younger brother in Elf.

Patrick Ferrell made brief appearances as a security guard in Elf, a precinct detective in The Other Guys, and as Drunk Pat in an alternative version of Anchorman called Wake Up, Ron Burgundy.

Once you realise, you can definitely spot the family resemblance.

Patrick, 56, ended up attending the same university as Will: the University of Southern California.

While Will majored in sports broadcasting (that would have been interesting to see), Patrick studied film, cinema, and video studios for his undergraduate degree before going on to study cinematography for his Master's.

You can certainly see the family resemblance (New Line Cinema)

Sharing an interest in film and TV, the pair have worked together on several occasions.

While Will became a cast member on Saturday Night Live in the 90s, Patrick also appeared in 12 episodes.

And he's also appeared on stage alongside his brother in Broadway production You’re Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush, in which he played a break-dancing Secret Service agent.

Offscreen, Patrick has also accompanied Will abroad, and was spotted by The Sun sharing a slap-up meal with the A-lister in Scotland while Will was filming Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

Patrick has directed two short films, producing a further two. His last acting credit came in 2017, in another short film.

In 2009, Will opened up about how his brother developed his love of comedy, with his brother's laugh something that was always guaranteed to set him off.

Will and Patrick Ferrell (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

He told the Victorville Daily Press: "I would love watching stuff with my brother because things would tickle him, and it would get me going

"I would laugh at watching my brother laugh."

It remains to be seen if Patrick makes another cameo in one of Will's movies. Perhaps he could return if they ever get round to making Elf 2.

But considering Will's previous comments about the chances of him returning as Buddy the Elf, that sadly seems unlikely at this point, although that might be a relief considering the sheer number of sequels and remakes that Hollywood is churning out right now.