Actor Reveals Iconic 'Elf' Line That Was Improvised & Nearly Cut From Movie

Elf is one of those Christmas classics that fans love to rewatch and quote more than 20 years after it first premiered.

In it, Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a human who is adopted and raised by an elf before returning to New York City to reconnect with his human father.

We’re still learning more about the iconic movie. For instance, this year we learned that one of the movie’s most memorable lines was improvised and nearly cut from the film.

Keep reading to find out more…

Actor Mark Acheson made a very brief cameo in the movie and is only credited as “Mailroom Guy.” However, his scene with Will instantly stood out.

In it, Mark claims that he is only 26 and has “nothing” to show for his life.

“You’re young, you’re so young,” Will replies.

Speaking to People, Mark revealed that he was brought on to deliver a single line. However, director Jon Favreau encouraged him and Will to improvise, resulting in the memorable moment.

“The producers wanted to axe the whole scene because of that. I think, ‘Who is gonna believe this guy is 26?’ I mean, seriously. I believe I was 46 at the time and an older, 46 even at that. Because I never looked young in my life,” he recalled.

Mark noted that Jon recognized the line as ironic.

“He said that the joke, that’s the funny part, right,” he said. “He kept me in but they, they didn’t want me but he did and thank God for me because it changed my career quite a bit.”

Speaking of Elf, find out what happened to the actor who played Buddy’s younger brother.