Will Forte is the patron saint of the "weird little guy" energy. He is the actor you hire when you need someone to commit 110% to a joke that is 40% too long, and that specific brand of desperate, sweaty sincerity is why he’s a staple in everything from Pixar hits to cult-classic adult comedies. For parents, navigating his library is a game of two halves: there is the "wholesome voice-over" Forte and the "chaos-muppet live-action" Forte, and knowing which one you’re putting on is the difference between a great family night and a very awkward conversation about mullets.
TL;DR: Will Forte is a comedic shapeshifter who ranges from the earnest, high-stakes coach in Pixar’s Win or Lose to the R-rated absurdity of MacGruber. For younger kids, his voice work in The Lego Movie and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is gold. For middle schoolers and up, The Last Man on Earth offers a weirdly poignant look at loneliness and community through a lens of total social incompetence.
If you are looking for the entry point for the whole family, Pixar’s Win or Lose is the winner. Forte voices Coach Dan, the well-meaning but high-strung leader of a middle school softball team. What makes this show worth your time is the structure—each episode covers the same week leading up to a big game but from the perspective of a different character.
Forte’s performance as the coach anchors the series. He captures that specific brand of "adult who cares a little too much about a kids’ game" without making him a villain. It’s a great show for intentional parents because it illustrates how one person’s "intense motivation" can feel like "crushing pressure" to a kid. If your family is into sports or just likes the emotional depth Pixar usually brings, this is the Forte project to lead with.
Before he was playing desperate survivors or mulleted special agents, Forte became a go-to voice for animated features. He has a way of making even the most arrogant characters feel strangely vulnerable.
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: He plays Joe Towne in the first film, but he really shines as the antagonist Chester V in the sequel. Chester is a tech-guru parody—think Steve Jobs with extra limbs and a sinister agenda. It’s a fun performance that kids love for the slapstick and parents appreciate for the "corporate culture" satire.
- The Lego Movie: Forte voices Abraham Lincoln. It’s a bit part, but his "I’m late to the party" energy is a highlight. It’s a perfect example of how he can take a historical icon and turn him into a relatable, slightly confused dude.
- Sweet Tooth: While he’s live-action here, his role as "Pubba" is essentially the emotional heartbeat of the first season. It’s a gentler, more fatherly side of Forte that we don't see often. It’s a post-apocalyptic story, but it’s more "fable" than "horror," making it a solid pick for older elementary kids and tweens.
For the middle school crowd, The Last Man on Earth is where Forte’s specific genius really lands. The premise: a virus has wiped out almost everyone, and Phil Miller (Forte) is alone. Then, he isn't.
The show is a masterclass in "cringe comedy" that actually has something to say. Phil is not a hero; he is a selfish, lazy, and often dishonest guy who has to learn how to be a human being again once other survivors show up. It’s a fantastic show to watch with a kid because it sparks conversations about what we owe to other people and why "just being yourself" isn't an excuse for being a jerk. There is some PG-13 suggestive humor and language, but it’s mostly focused on the absurdity of social dynamics when the world has ended.
You will see the name MacGruber associated with Forte constantly. It started as an SNL sketch and turned into a movie and a TV series. It is hilarious, it is a cult classic, and it is absolutely not for your kids.
MacGruber is an R-rated parody of MacGyver that leans heavily into graphic violence, crude sexual humor, and constant profanity. It’s the "pure" version of Forte’s chaotic energy, but it’s strictly for the adults in the house. If your teen sees a clip on TikTok and wants to dive in, just know that this is the deep end of the pool. Save it for a date night when you want to see a man try to take down an army with a piece of celery and a lot of screaming.
As of late 2026, the saga of Coyote vs. Acme remains one of the weirdest stories in Hollywood. Forte stars as the lawyer representing Wile E. Coyote in a lawsuit against the Acme Corporation. Despite being finished and tested with high scores, the studio shelved it for a tax write-off. From the footage and trailers that have leaked, it looks like a love letter to Looney Tunes that would have been a massive family hit. If it ever actually sees the light of day on a streaming service, it will likely be the definitive Will Forte performance for kids.
Will Forte’s career is built on the idea of "The Commitment." Whether he is playing a talking piece of gum or a desperate survivor, he never winks at the camera. He treats the absurd with total seriousness.
Conversations to start:
- In Win or Lose, why does Coach Dan think he’s being helpful when the players feel stressed?
- In The Last Man on Earth, why does Phil lie to the other survivors even when it doesn't really help him?
- Forte often plays characters who are very lonely. How does that loneliness change how they act when they finally find friends?
If your kid loves the "weird and funny" vibe Forte brings, they might also like the work of Bill Hader in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs or the dry, high-concept humor of The Good Place.
Q: Is Will Forte okay for kids?
For voice roles in movies like The Lego Movie or Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, he is 100% fine. For his live-action work, you need to check the rating—he oscillates between PG-13 heart and R-rated chaos.
Q: What is the best Will Forte show for families?
Win or Lose on Disney+ is the best bet. It’s built for a co-watching experience where parents and kids can talk about the different perspectives shown in each episode.
Q: Is The Last Man on Earth appropriate for a 12-year-old?
Yes, generally. It’s rated TV-14. There is some "adult" behavior (drinking, suggestive situations, and some language), but the core of the show is a comedy about social consequences and community. It’s a great pick for a kid who is starting to move past "kid shows" but isn't ready for gritty adult dramas.
Will Forte is a gift to parents who are tired of bland, "safe" comedic actors. He brings a weirdness that makes family movies more interesting and a sincerity that makes his adult shows more meaningful. Stick to the animation for the little ones, move to The Last Man on Earth for the tweens, and keep MacGruber for yourselves.
- Check out our best shows for kids list to see where Win or Lose ranks.
- If you’re looking for more high-quality animation, dive into our digital guide for elementary school.
- Find more actors with "chaotic" energy for your next movie night
