There’s a Kansas City Easter egg in “Anchorman” and Paul Rudd just explained it
On an episode of New Heights, actor Paul Rudd explains how a real Kansas City friend became part of one of Anchorman’s most outrageous jokes
“Anchorman” is filled with absurd one-liners, jokes and moments that somehow get funnier with time. But one of Paul Rudd’s most ridiculous jokes in the film carries a deeply personal, and distinctly Kansas City, backstory.
During his appearance on Jason and Travis Kelce’s podcast New Heights, Rudd revealed that one of the movie’s infamous lines was inspired by a real person from his life in Kansas City.
“Yes,” Rudd said, when asked if the story was true. “My left testicle… is named James Westfall.”
NEW EPISODE OF NEW HEIGHTS
— New Heights (@newheightshow) December 22, 2025
- Paul Rudd's positive outlook on the Chiefs' season
- Does Paul know ball?
- Being a Bar Mitzvah DJ
- Avengers Doomsday spoilers
- Naming your nuts
- & MORE pic.twitter.com/ESHwKMlVUg
A joke rooted in real life
James Westfall isn’t just a random name. He’s a longtime friend of Rudd’s, a former college roommate, and now a well-known Kansas City restaurateur, owning popular spots like Char Bar and Beer Kitchen.
“My goal was that I would name-check him,” Rudd explained. “And then he would just go see the movie and say, ‘What?’”
The joke worked exactly as intended, and has followed Westfall ever since.
“He still has to do business with people,” Rudd said. “And then he introduces his name - ‘I’m James Westfall.’ And sometimes there’s just a pause, and then, ‘Have you ever seen Anchorman?’”
That’s when Westfall gets to deliver the punchline himself.
“And then he gets to say, ‘I’m the actual ball.’”
Rudd was able to sneak a piece of home into one of the most quotable comedies of the 2000s. The Kelce bros immediately leaned into the Kansas City connection, praising Char Bar’s burnt ends and wings and laughing at how a throwaway gag became a permanent part of local lore.
“That’s the most fun part of doing this,” Rudd said. “Embarrassing your friends by naming your nut sack.”
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment