Will Ferrel’s ‘Elf’ co-star recalls filming holiday hit at working mental hospital: ‘What were people thinking?’

Andy Richter has recalled that much of the 2003 Christmas film *Elf* was shot in parts of a psychiatric hospital that were still in use. The setting was chosen because studio space was scarce, and his account highlights how patients could encounter Will Ferrell in his Buddy costume during filming.

Richter said the interiors, including the Hobbs’ home, offices and mailroom, were filmed in empty wings of Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam, British Columbia, while another wing still housed patients. He said he kept to the set, trailer and hotel, but Ferrell was around the site for a month or two. Richter also said Zooey Deschanel’s role as Jovie was discussed for Selma Blair and offered to Katie Holmes, who could not take it because of a scheduling conflict.