Oct 16, 2013 11:21 AM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

If Will Ferrell made a career out of unexpected public appearances, it could rival his highly successful career comedic filmmaking.

His most recent, as reported by the Huffington Post, was at his alma mater, the University of Southern California, where he graduated with a degree in sports broadcasting.

Ferrell reportedly visited the school to support his friend and fellow alum Craig Pollard, who manages a charity called "Cancer for College." Pollard was on campus to give a public talk on "careers, friendship and life philosophies" and Ferrell apparently was there to provide support.

The "Anchorman 2" actor is described as a celebrity spokesman for the charity as well as a supporter. The charity's mission is to provide college scholarships to people who have survived cancer and, so far, they have raised more than two million dollars to do so.

Ferrell, however, could not pass up the opportunity to give the students a show. He dressed in full Trojan armor to lead the marching band, the Spirit of Troy. He twirled his sword awkwardly, pumped his fists, flexed his muscles and did not know how or where to exit the stage.

The former Saturday Night Live cast member has enjoyed a long and illustrious career in comedic movies, but has also made a name for himself with unexpected and often unheralded public appearances.

In 2010, he ran out of a minor league baseball bullpen as a pitcher named Rojo Johnson toting a paper bag of beer cans and wearing gold chains and and a fake mustache. When he threw an errant pitch and taunted the hitter, the umpire ejected him, at which point the hilarity ensued.

Earlier this year, he pretended to be a courtside security agent at a Los Angeles Lakers game and threw Shaquille O'Neal out of the stadium, escorting the seven-foot former center from his seat.

Even when he is scheduled to appear somewhere, you have to believe he is going to make the appearance his own. Like at the 2013 Emmy Awards when he appeared onstage in Crocs and shorts with his three sons, saying he could not find a sitter.

Ferrell apparently relishes these opportunities to fuel his website Funny or Die, created with longtime collaborator and friend Adam McKay (the two are responsible for films like "Anchorman" and "Step Brothers"). The site features skits and comedic bits from established actors, musicians and public personas as well as up-and-comers.

"Ancorman 2: the Legend Continues" is in theaters Dec. 20 this year.

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