Was Ron Burgundy Inspired By This Michigan TV Reporter?

I've been a huge Will Ferrel fan from the first time I saw him on Saturday Night Live.

Since then I've laughed watching his characters in Stepbrothers, Elf, Talledega Nights, Old School, and one of my favorites Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

I heard a co-worker talking about how the character Ron Burgundy was inspired by a Detroit TV Anchor and I thought they were pulling my leg, but I decided to look into it and this is what I found out.

Was Ron Burgundy Inspired By A Detroit News Anchor?

Growing up in Michigan I remember seeing Bill Bonds on WXYZ Channel 7. He was an incredibly talented guy that unfortunately struggled with Alcoholism which eventually cost him his job at the station. One time while drunk during a newscast Bill Bonds challenged then Detroit Mayor Coleman Young to a fight.

Bill Bonds was also known for his softer and funny side. One of his best moments in my opinion is when he was "not" allowed to plug the sale of Girl Scout cookies.

Was Bill Bonds the inspiration for Ron Burgundy

I thought it was possible since Ron Burgundy loved his scotch and Bill Bonds struggled with Alcoholism.

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They were also "Big Deals" to their loyal audiences

It turns out that while Bill Bonds was an interesting character he WAS NOT
the inspiration for Ron Burgendy but we know who was.

Was Ron Burgundy Inspired By Detroit News Anchor Mort Crim

According to Vanity Fair, Ron Burgundy was based on Detroit news anchor Mort Crim.

In an interview, Will Ferrel said that he was inspired to create the Ron Burgundy character while viewing a television documentary on Jessica Savitch, the pioneering female broadcaster, and the sexism she encountered in the workplace in the 1970s.