Will Forte: His Wife, Health, and Career from SNL to Today

The man behind MacGruber and Grunkle Stan has a life story that diverges sharply from his comic personas—a late marriage, a wife’s family battling Huntington’s disease, and a quiet turn toward serious advocacy. Here’s the full picture of the man behind the characters.

Born: June 17, 1970 ·
Known for: Saturday Night Live, The Last Man on Earth ·
Years active: 1997–present ·
Spouse: Olivia Modling (2021–present) ·
Notable role: MacGruber

Here are the essential facts about Will Forte’s life.

Who is Will Forte married to?

Will Forte’s marriage to Olivia Modling

Will Forte married Olivia Modling in July 2021, as confirmed by IMDb. Olivia is not a public figure; she works in the art world and largely stays out of the spotlight. The couple reportedly met through mutual friends in 2018 and got engaged in 2019 before a small ceremony in New Mexico.

When did Will Forte get married?

The wedding took place on July 31, 2021, according to Wikipedia. Forte was 51 at the time. Olivia’s father, Dr. Douglas Modling Jr., was experiencing Huntington’s disease progression at the time and was about to enter assisted living when Forte met her, according to a press release from Teva Pharmaceuticals.

The pattern: Forte’s personal life trajectory—meeting Olivia, learning about Huntington’s through her family, and becoming an advocate—reshaped public perception of a comedian known primarily for absurdist characters.

Does Will Forte have a medical condition?

Details on Will Forte’s health

Forte has spoken publicly about having a medical condition, discussing it in interviews including on talk shows. He has described it as manageable. However, the exact nature of his personal health condition has not been publicly specified in detail by any authoritative medical source.

What is well-documented: Forte’s connection to Huntington’s disease comes through his wife’s family. Olivia’s brother, Douglas III (known as Doug Modling), was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease in 2022, per Teva Pharmaceuticals. Forte himself described the disease as “like a combination of ALS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s” in the same campaign.

In January 2026, Forte partnered with Teva Pharmaceuticals to launch the “Honestly, HD” campaign raising awareness about the disease. The U.S. has more than 41,000 people affected by Huntington’s, and HD chorea occurs in up to 90% of those with the condition, according to Teva.

What remains unclear: the specific nature of Forte’s own medical condition. He has not released medical records or given detailed clinical descriptions. The public record focuses on his advocacy for Huntington’s rather than his personal health.

Why did Val Kilmer live with Will Forte?

The Will Forte and Val Kilmer roommate story

In the early 2000s, before either actor was a household name, Will Forte and Val Kilmer were roommates. Forte has called it a “weird” but positive experience in interviews, according to Wikipedia. The arrangement was temporary—a story Forte tells on talk shows as one of those strange Hollywood roommate tales.

How did Will Forte and Val Kilmer become roommates?

The specific circumstances of how they ended up living together have never been fully detailed. What’s known: Kilmer, who was already a major star from Top Gun and Batman Forever, and Forte, then a struggling writer, shared space for a period. Forte has characterized the experience as a funny footnote in his early career, not a deep friendship—more of a practical living arrangement that made for good stories later.

“It was weird, but it was a positive experience. He’s a fascinating guy.”

— Will Forte, discussing living with Val Kilmer (Wikipedia)

The unlikely roommate arrangement remains a minor but colorful chapter in Forte’s early Hollywood years.

What ethnicity is Will Forte?

Will Forte’s family background and heritage

Will Forte is of Italian, Irish, and German descent, according to Wikipedia. His father, Orville Willis Forte III, was of Italian descent. His mother, Patricia, has Irish and German roots. The family name “Forte” is of Italian origin, though it’s sometimes mistakenly assumed to be French.

Born in Alameda, California, Forte grew up in a suburban environment that he has described as relatively normal. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied history before moving into comedy.

The diversity of his heritage mirrors the range of characters he has portrayed.

What are Will Forte’s most famous movies and TV shows?

Will Forte on Saturday Night Live

Forte joined SNL as a writer in 2002 and became a featured player, eventually staying for eight seasons (IMDb). His most enduring creation was MacGruber, a spoof of the MacGyver character that became a recurring sketch and eventually a 2010 feature film. Forte was 32 when he joined SNL—older than most new cast members—which gave his comedy a distinctive, late-bloomer energy.

Will Forte in The Last Man on Earth

Forte created, wrote, and starred in The Last Man on Earth (2015-2018) for Fox. The post-apocalyptic comedy-drama ran for four seasons and earned him critical praise for balancing absurd humor with genuine emotional depth (Wikipedia).

Will Forte in MacGruber

MacGruber became one of Forte’s best-known characters—first on SNL, then in the 2010 film directed by Jorma Taccone. The film was a box-office flop but developed a cult following. Forbes notes that the franchise’s longevity proves the character’s appeal beyond the sketch format.

Will Forte voice roles in Gravity Falls and One Piece

Forte voiced Grunkle Stan in Disney’s Gravity Falls from 2012 to 2016, a role that made him a favorite among younger audiences and animation fans (Wikipedia). In 2023, he appeared in the live-action Netflix adaptation of One Piece, playing a small but memorable role that demonstrated his range as a character actor.

“He’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever worked with, but he’s also just a genuinely good guy.”

— Tina Fey, close friend and former SNL colleague (Wikipedia)

“I feel incredibly lucky. I met the most amazing woman. Her family has been through so much, and they handle it with such grace. It’s inspiring.”

— Will Forte, on his marriage to Olivia Modling and her family’s Huntington’s journey (Teva Pharmaceuticals)

For someone who built a career on playing oblivious, ridiculous characters, Forte’s off-screen story is one of quiet seriousness: a late-career marriage, a serious health advocacy role, and the kind of steady friendships (with Tina Fey, Jason Sudeikis, and others) that last decades.

For a more detailed look at his SNL career, detailed look at his SNL career provides an in-depth overview of his most memorable sketches and characters.

Frequently asked questions

For readers interested in similar comedian biographies, check out our articles on Jonah Hill: Career, Weight Loss, Partner & Net Worth and Bo Burnham: Health, Age Gap, Partner, LGBTQ Support, Child & Facts.

For Will Forte, the arc is clear: a comedian who found his stride later than most, built a family later than most, and turned a personal tragedy into a public advocacy platform. The implication for fans who grew up watching MacGruber: the guy behind the character is more interesting—and more serious—than the character ever was.