Harper Steele

 ( Living People ) 

Steele left SNL for Funny or Die in 2008 just after they announced their partnership with HBO. Her role was as creative director for Funny or Die and executive producer of HBO's Funny or Die Presents. She produced the first dozen half-hour Funny or Die shows that were shown on HBO, with her writing used in nine of them. She also co-wrote Casa de mi padre with Eva Maria Peters, The Ladies Man with Tim Meadows and Dennis McNicholas, and with Ferrell.

After coming out to Ferrell about her gender transition in 2022, Ferrell decided he should learn more about the trans community as he was not very knowledgeable. The two decided to undertake and document a cross-country road trip as they processed this change and what it meant for their friendship. Steele had said that, although she had always loved road trips, she felt nervous about traveling alone through small towns and conservative states as a trans woman, noting that anti-trans legislation in many US states could inhibit her ability to use a restroom or even cause her to be legally discriminated against. Steele and Ferrell visited Steele's hometown, including her high school and a local bar she used to frequent.

Of the resulting film Will & Harper, Steele said, "I'm very proud of it. I'm scared of... the aftermath of it coming up, but I'm very proud." The film premiered at the 40th Sundance Film Festival in January 2024 and was nominated for a people's choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival.