Chris Farley

This article is about the comedian. For the journalist and author, see Christopher John Farley.
Chris Farley
A close-up of Farley smiling at the camera
Farley in 1993
Born
Christopher Crosby Farley

(1964-02-15)February 15, 1964
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedDecember 18, 1997(1997-12-18) (aged 33)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Burial placeResurrection Cemetery
Alma materMarquette University (BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1986–1997
Relatives

Christopher Crosby Farley (February 15, 1964 – December 18, 1997) was an American actor and comedian. He was a member of Chicago's Second City Theatre[1] and later a cast member of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live for five seasons from 1990 to 1995.[2][3] He went on to pursue a film career, appearing in films such as Airheads, Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, Beverly Hills Ninja, and Almost Heroes. Farley was frequently known for his physical performance/comedy and athleticism (similar to Curly Howard and Roscoe Arbuckle).[4] This was used to great effect during his time on Saturday Night Live, and continued through many of his films. From his early acting days and through the height of his fame, Farley struggled with obesity, alcoholism, and substance abuse. He died of a drug overdose at the age of 33.[5]

  1. ^ "Chicago Alumni". The Second City. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  2. ^ "Chris Farley Biography — Yahoo! Movies". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on March 14, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  3. ^ "Wisconsin Historical Society". Wisconsin Historical Society. Archived from the original on November 6, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  4. ^ Crouch, Ian (August 10, 2015). "The Big, Funny, Tragic Life of Chris Farley". The New Yorker. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  5. ^ "The Tragic 1997 Death Of Comedy Legend Chris Farley". MSN. Retrieved 2022-12-26.