Chris Farley was a popular comedian/actor from the 90s who tragically died of a drug overdose in December, 1997. He is best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and his absurd mastery of physical comedy.
Chris Farley was born in 1964 in Madison Wisconsin to parents who were not involved in show business. After graduating college he worked with his father at the Scotch Oil Company in Madison.
Farley got his start working professionally as a comedian at the Ark Improv Theater in Madison and the Improv Olympic theater in Chicago. Eventually he made his way onto the main stage of the famous Second City theater where he was picked up by SNL.
Chris Farley’s most popular roles on Saturday Night Live are seen as some of the best in the show’s history, even today. The particularly well received characters were always over-the-top like Matt Foley: Motivational Speaker, an obese Chipndales dancer, and a member of Bill Bwerski’s Superfans who constantly yells “da Bears”.
After being fired from Saturday Night Live in 1995 alongside Adam Sandler, Farley made his way into film acting. His biggest role was in the movie Tommy Boy where he co-starred with his real-life friend David Spade. The movie was a box office success and even became a cult hit.
Chris Farley died of a speedball overdose in late 1997 at the age of 33. This tragic event ironically mimicked the death of one of the actor’s greatest comedy inspirations, John Belushi, who similarly overdosed.
Photos
Image courtesy of theberry.com
Notable Work
Saturday Night Live – 1990-1995
Wayne’s World – 1992
Coneheads – 1993
Tommy Boy – 1995
Beverly Hills Ninja – 1997
Featured Image Via: theberry.com