Known for his loud, outrageous, and energetic comedy, Chris Farley emerged as one of the most successful members of Saturday Night Live and was on the brink of a promising film career before his tragic death in 1997. On December 18 of that year, Farley succumbed to a cocaine and morphine overdose, a struggle with substance abuse that had plagued him for several years.
Despite his passing, Farley’s legacy endures through his comedy and the talented individuals he collaborated with during his career.
“I thought that this is what you have to do to be cool. But all that stuff does is kill someone. It is a demon that must be snuffed out. It is the end.”
Chris Farley was born on February 15, 1964, in Madison, Wisconsin. In his early years, he participated in summer camps, played high school sports, and enjoyed time with his family. He graduated from Marquette University in 1986, focusing on communications and theater.
After college, Farley worked alongside his father in Madison while honing his comedic skills at improv shows and theaters across Wisconsin and Illinois.
His big break came in 1990 when he was cast as one of the new members of Saturday Night Live, alongside Chris Rock. On the show, he frequently collaborated with fellow cast members Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, and David Spade.
One of his most iconic performances was as Matt Foley, a motivational speaker, which became one of the show’s most beloved skits during his tenure.
Farley remained on Saturday Night Live until 1995, at which point he claimed he was fired by NBC. During his four-year tenure on the show, he starred in some of its most famous and memorable skits throughout its 44 years on air.
One of his most notable sketches involved a dance-off against Patrick Swayze to join the Chippendales. While this sketch significantly boosted his career, Chris Rock believes it marked a turning point in Farley’s life.
“That was a weird moment in Chris’s life,” Rock remarked. “As funny as that sketch was, and despite the accolades he received for it, it contributed to his downfall. Something changed in him then.”
Farley’s comedy style, which he once described as “fatty falls down, everybody goes home happy,” began to take a toll on him personally. Yet, the SNL writers viewed his physical comedy as an easy way to elicit laughs.
According to The New Yorker, fellow cast member Sarah Silverman recalls Farley asking writer Jim Downey in a childlike voice, “Hey, Jim? Do you think it would help the show if I got even fatter?”
Despite his struggles, Farley experienced a meteoric rise to fame as his SNL skits gained popularity, leading to roles in his own films.
During his time on SNL, he made small appearances in several movies, including Wayne’s World, Coneheads, and Billy Madison. He also appeared in the Red Hot Chili Peppers music video for “Soul to Squeeze,” featured on the Coneheads soundtrack.
Farley’s first leading role came in the film Tommy Boy, which earned about $32 million at the box office and is considered a cult classic, partly due to its successful home video release.
After the success of Tommy Boy, Farley teamed up again with David Spade to release Black Sheep. The film also performed well at the box office, earning around $32 million, although it did not receive the same critical acclaim.
Following Tommy Boy, Farley starred in Beverly Hills Ninja, another box-office success. Despite the acclaim and financial success stemming from his work on Saturday Night Live and various films, his comedic style began to take a toll on him.
“Although I love this kind of comedy, sometimes I feel trapped by always having to be the most outrageous guy in the room. I’m particularly working on not being that person in my private life,” he admitted.
While filming, Farley struggled with substance abuse, frequently entering and exiting rehabilitation centers. Reports indicate he went to rehab as many as 17 times and experienced periods of sobriety. “Eventually, he’d slip and take that one drink, which led to more and worse,” according to Rolling Stone.
Tragically, Farley’s brother found him dead in the doorway of his apartment after a drug binge involving cocaine and morphine. Following his death, one columnist remarked that it was “the least surprising premature death of a celebrity in show-business history.”
Farley made several attempts to change his lifestyle, seeking help through drug and alcohol rehabilitation and trying to manage his weight, but these efforts proved ineffective.
“I know he wanted to get sober,” said friend Jillian Seely. “But it was like he had cancer and the chemo treatment didn’t work anymore.”
In 2015, a documentary titled I Am Chris Farley was released to celebrate his life. The film features clips from his performances alongside interviews with close friends, including Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, and David Spade.
Before his passing, Farley was scheduled to voice the character Shrek in the DreamWorks film of the same name, having recorded up to 80 percent of his lines. However, fellow SNL cast member Mike Myers took over the role after Farley’s death. In recent years, some of Farley’s recordings have been made public.
Had he achieved sobriety, Chris Farley’s filmography and popularity would likely have continued to flourish. Despite his untimely death at a young age, he left a lasting impression on the comedic landscape and remains highly influential with fans worldwide.
“This notion of love is something that would be a wonderful thing,” Farley once shared with Rolling Stone writer Erik Hedegaard. “I don’t think I’ve ever experienced it, other than the love of my family. At this point, it’s something beyond my grasp. But I can imagine it, and longing for it makes me sad.”
Since his passing, Farley’s legacy has endured not only through his body of work but also via the Chris Farley Foundation, which aims to educate the public about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
“The Chris Farley Foundation is dedicated to preventing substance abuse, focusing on conveying the consequences of drugs and alcohol to kids, teens, and young adults,” the foundation states.
In Conclusion
Chris Farley lived a brief life, yet he made a significant impact on the world of comedy and touched millions through his sketches and films. His struggles with substance abuse ultimately led to his death. If you or someone you know is facing substance abuse issues, please reach out to Sunrise Recovery in Jeffersonville Indiana’s admissions staff for support.
