Will Ferrell welcomes third son

Will Ferrell has become a father for the third time. Photo / AP

Will Ferrell has become a father for the third time.

The Anchorman star's wife Viveca Paulin gave birth to the couple's third son on January 24, just hours after Will had performed Free Bird on the final episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.

The happy pair have named their new arrival Axel Ferrell.

Will's representative said: "All the Ferrells are well."

Baby Axel joins big brothers, Magnus, five, and three-year-old Mattias.
Despite being known for his comedy skills, Will – who met Viveca at in an acting class 15 years ago and eventually tied the knot with her in 2000 - recently admitted his sons haven't inherited his humorous genes.

He said: "No, they're not funny. They're deadly serious."

As an experienced parent, Will has previously given out advice to his celebrity friends.

When his Bewitched co-star Nicole Kidman gave birth to daughter Sunday Rose in July 2008, he jokingly advised her to talk to her newborn daughter "at least once a week".

He said: "For me, I would advise to talk to your children, at least once a week. If you've got time, do it two or three times a week. But otherwise, I find the times where I let weeks and weeks go by without talking to my children, that adds up."

- BANG! SHOWBIZ