Buddy the Elf has seen better days. After going viral for reincarnating the title character from 2003’s Elf — as a beer-drinking and cigarette-smoking brooder, no less — Will Ferrell explained the thought and preparation process behind the stunt.

Christmas might be over, but we’re still thinking about that moment from long-ago December when Will Ferrell inexplicably dressed up as one of his most iconic characters, and now he’s explaining why he did it.

While attending the hockey game with his family, Ferrell broke character to smoke, drink and look grumpy while dressed as Buddy.

At running back, Ferrell saw no one better to break some tackles than Old School ’s Frank the Tank. Buddy the Elf, a “flexible and live” character, was drafted as wide receiver, causing some debate between Ferrell and Jason Kelce about whether Blades of Glory ’s Chazz Michael Michaels would do better in the position.

Will Ferrell explains recent appearance as disheveled Buddy the Elf at Los Angeles Kings hockey game where he drank beer and smoked candy cigarettes.

Will Ferrell told Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce on their podcast why he decided to dress up as a drunken Buddy the Elf at a Los Angeles Kings game on Dec. 29: 'Occasionally I just like to do weird things like that just to stir it up.

Will Ferrell showed up at an NHL game dressed as his beloved character from the 2003 family comedy Elf, only with a bit of a twist. Ferrell attended Sunday’s L.A. Kings-Philadelphia Flyers game at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.

Will Ferrell joined Travis and Jason Kelce's "New Heights" podcast, sharing the hilarious story of his viral ‘Buddy the Elf” moment at the LA Kings game. He also reveals his former character’s Ron Burgundy’s dating advice.