The Story Behind ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ and Its Alleged Inspiration

The 40th anniversary of John Hughes’ classic film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, brings forth an intriguing claim from comic and former SNL writer Ferris Butler, who asserts he inspired the iconic character Ferris Bueller. This claim is explored in a new documentary, Saving Ferris Butler.

Denny Dillon and Charles Rocket, part of the 1980-81 Saturday Night Live cast, appear in the documentary. Following a successful premiere at New York’s Quad Cinema, screenings will be held in Chicago at Pickwick Theatre, reflecting the film’s original setting. For tickets, visit pickwicktheatre.com.

D.B. Frick serves as the executive producer and host of the documentary. He describes Ferris Butler as a former Saturday Night Live writer and a man deeply connected to the entertainment world through his marriage to songwriter Beverly Ross, renowned for the song “Lollipop.”

Frick first encountered Butler over 15 years ago, during which Butler quickly introduced his claim of inspiration for Ferris Bueller. He recalled an interaction with acclaimed actor Del Close, who expressed interest in creating a film based on Butler’s dynamic personality.

“He’s sort of this free spirit,” Frick remarked on Butler. “This very flamboyant character who’s a lot like Ferris Bueller.”

The documentary aims to explore themes such as authorship, recognition, and the often-overlooked contributions to popular culture. Bringing the film to its Chicago roots adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative.

Frick acknowledges others have made similar claims to be the inspiration behind Ferris Bueller, underscoring the common practice of writers drawing inspiration from their surroundings.

After select performances, Q&A sessions with documentary participants will be held, and giveaways will include hotel stays and meal vouchers.

Frick expressed enthusiasm about shedding light on Butler’s contributions to comedy and culture. Andy Hoglund, a historian of Saturday Night Live, wrote the documentary as a producer. He grasped the importance of exploring overlooked seasons, notably the sixth, marked by a shift in cast and production.

Director Julius Olivas, at just 26, was chosen to helm the documentary following the screening of his film “Inky.” Olivas found Butler’s story compelling, focusing on his journey to understand life through art.

The documentary features interviews, including with Patrick Weathers, who appeared during the challenging 1980-81 SNL season. He reminisced about a sketch portraying Bob Dylan, which became a minor classic, and his collaboration with Butler.

The attention drawn by Saving Ferris Butler is quite the experience for Butler, who expressed enthusiasm at the idea of a documentary, complementing his existing written bio.

The documentary delves into the underbelly of forgotten voices in comedy, bringing them to the forefront.