Editing Chris Farley

{{short description|American comedian and actor (1964–1997)}}
{{about|the comedian|the journalist and author|Christopher John Farley}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Chris Farley
| image              = Chris Farley (American actor-comedian).jpg
| caption            = Farley in 1993
| alt                = A close-up of Farley smiling at the camera
| birth_name         = Christopher Crosby Farley
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1964|2|15}}
| birth_place        = [[Madison, Wisconsin]], U.S.
| death_date         = {{death date and age|1997|12|18|1964|2|15}}
| death_place        = [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.
| cause_of_death     = drug overdose
| burial_place       = [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Madison#Cemeteries|Resurrection Cemetery]]
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
*Actor
*comedian
}}
| alma_mater         = [[Marquette University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| years_active       = 1984–1997
| relatives          = {{ubl|[[John Farley (actor)|John Farley]] (brother)|[[Kevin Farley]] (brother)|[[Jim Farley (businessman)|Jim Farley]] (cousin)}}
}}
'''Christopher Crosby Farley''' (February 15, 1964&nbsp;– December 18, 1997) was an American actor and comedian. He was a member of Chicago's [[The Second City|Second City Theatre]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.secondcity.com/people/other/chris-farley/ |title=Chicago Alumni |publisher=The Second City |access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref> and later a [[Saturday Night Live cast|cast member]] of the [[NBC]] sketch comedy show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' for five seasons, from 1990 to 1995.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800018622/bio|title=Chris Farley Biography&nbsp;— Yahoo! Movies|publisher=Yahoo! Movies|access-date=October 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314042606/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800018622/bio|archive-date=March 14, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="whs">{{cite web|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/highlights/archives/2008/05/farley_exhibit.asp|title=Wisconsin Historical Society|publisher=Wisconsin Historical Society|access-date=October 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106094908/http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/highlights/archives/2008/05/farley_exhibit.asp|archive-date=November 6, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> He went on to pursue a film career, appearing in films such as ''[[Airheads]]'', ''[[Tommy Boy]]'', ''[[Black Sheep (1996 film)|Black Sheep]]'', ''[[Beverly Hills Ninja]]'', and ''[[Almost Heroes]]''. Farley was widely known for his physical performance/comedy and athleticism (similar to [[Curly Howard]] and [[Roscoe Arbuckle]]).<ref name="Crouch">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-big-funny-tragic-life-of-chris-farley|title=The Big, Funny, Tragic Life of Chris Farley|last=Crouch|first=Ian|date=August 10, 2015|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|access-date=11 October 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tragic 1997 Death Of Comedy Legend Chris Farley |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/the-tragic-1997-death-of-comedy-legend-chris-farley/ar-AA15BBMz |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=MSN |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life==
Christopher Crosby Farley was born in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], on February 15, 1964 to an [[Irish-American]] family, and grew up in [[Maple Bluff, Wisconsin|Maple Bluff]].<ref>[https://www.thebozho.com/chris-farley-tour-madison/ The Chris Farley Tour of Madison, Wisconsin | The Bozho] Retrieved 2018-09-20.</ref> His father Thomas John Farley Sr. (1936–1999) owned an oil company and his mother Mary Anne (née Crosby) was a homemaker.<ref name="yahoo"/> He had four siblings: Tom Jr., [[Kevin Farley|Kevin]], [[John Farley (actor)|John]], and Barbara. His cousin [[Jim Farley (businessman)|Jim]] is chief executive officer at [[Ford Motor Company]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Greg|last=Gardner|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/access/1793009141.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jul+18%2C+2009&author=GREG+GARDNER&pub=Detroit+Free+Press&edition=&startpage=A.9&desc=Rising+star+assigned+new+duties+at+Ford|title=Rising star assigned new duties at Ford|newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]]|location=Detroit, Michigan|date=July 18, 2009|access-date=September 4, 2011|archive-date=March 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330045446/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/access/1793009141.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jul+18%2C+2009&author=GREG+GARDNER&pub=Detroit+Free+Press&edition=&startpage=A.9&desc=Rising+star+assigned+new+duties+at+Ford|url-status=dead}}{{registration required}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Vlasic|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/business/20ford.html|title=A Star at Toyota, a Believer at Ford|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|page=4|date=April 20, 2008|access-date=June 8, 2008}}</ref> Farley attended [[parochial school]]s in Madison, including [[Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart]]. According to [[Joel Murray]], a fellow Second City cast member, Farley would "always make it to [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thechrisfarleyshow.com/chicago.html|title=Chris Farley|publisher=The Chris Farley Show|access-date=September 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090424071147/http://www.thechrisfarleyshow.com/chicago.html|archive-date=April 24, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Many of his summers were spent as a camper and counselor at Red Arrow Camp, near [[Minocqua, Wisconsin]]. He graduated from [[Marquette University]] in 1986, with a double major in [[Communication studies|communications]] and [[theater]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marquette.edu/about/allfamous.shtml|title=Marquette University&nbsp;— Famous Faces|publisher=Marquette.edu|date=February 12, 2003|access-date=October 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104220519/http://www.marquette.edu/about/allfamous.shtml|archive-date=January 4, 2013}}</ref> At Marquette, he played [[rugby union]] and discovered a love of comedy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://marquettewire.org/3672803/tribune/tribune-news/tom-farley-addresses-brothers-addictions/|title=Tom Farley addresses brother's addictions|last=Engel|first=Tom|work=[[Marquette Tribune]]|date=March 17, 2009|access-date=October 3, 2016}}</ref> After college, he worked with his father at the Scotch Oil Company in Madison.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/people/chris-farley-9542500|title=Chris Farley Biography|publisher=The Biography Channel|access-date=October 25, 2010}}</ref> He first learned the art of improvisational comedy at the Ark Improv Theatre in Madison.

Farley made his way to Chicago, performing first at [[IO Theater|Improv Olympic]]. He then attended [[Chicago]]'s [[The Second City|Second City Theatre]], starting the same day as [[Stephen Colbert]],<ref>{{Cite tweet|title=Chris Farley and I started at Second City on the same day. You knew the minute you saw him on stage he was great. He was sweet and smart and funny. When I heard he had died, 21 years ago today, I fell to the ground. Rest In Peace.|last=Colbert|first=Stephen|date=December 18, 2018|user=stephenathome|language=en|number=1075203135239585792|access-date=May 12, 2019}}</ref> initially as part of Second City's touring group. He was eventually promoted to their main stage in 1989, and was a cast member of three revues, ''The Gods Must Be Lazy'', ''It Was Thirty Years Ago Today'', and ''Flag Smoking Permitted in Lobby Only or Censorama''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.secondcity.com/people/other/chris-farley/|title=Chris Farley|publisher=The Second City|access-date=December 18, 2017}}</ref>

==Career==

===''Saturday Night Live''===
Along with [[Chris Rock]], Farley was one of the new ''Saturday Night Live'' cast members announced in early 1990.<ref name="yahoo"/><ref name="whs"/> On ''SNL'', Farley frequently collaborated with fellow cast members [[Chris Rock]], [[Adam Sandler]], [[Tim Meadows]], [[Rob Schneider]] and [[David Spade]]. This group came to be known as the "[[Bad boy archetype|Bad Boys of SNL]]."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roberts|first1=Andrew|title=The Story Behind Chris Rock's Firing From 'Saturday Night Live'|url=http://uproxx.com/tv/2014/11/the-story-behind-chris-rocks-firing-from-saturday-night-live/|publisher=[[Uproxx]]|access-date=November 5, 2015|date=November 1, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Fallon|first1=Kevin|title=The Secrets of 'Saturday Night Live': Where Comedy Legends Are Born|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/14/the-secrets-of-saturday-night-live-where-comedy-legends-are-born.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]|access-date=November 5, 2015|date=June 14, 2015}}</ref>

Popular characters performed by Farley included [[Matt Foley]], an over-the-top [[motivational speaker]] who frequently reminded other characters that he was "living in a van down by the river!" The character was created by [[Bob Odenkirk]] when he and Farley were performers at Second City. The character's name came from a longtime friend of Farley's who became a Catholic priest and currently serves as pastor at St. James Catholic Church in [[Arlington Heights, Illinois|Arlington Heights]], Illinois.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150801/news/150809920/ | title=The real Matt Foley remembers his friend Chris Farley|work=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|Daily Herald]]| date=August 1, 2015}}</ref> In early renditions of the character, Farley used other names, depending on whom he knew in the audience, until the real-life Foley went to the show and had his name used, at which point Farley felt the name best suited the character and refused to change it. Some of the mannerisms of the character were a combination of the positions Farley noticed his rugby teammates took on the pitch coupled with his high school football coach's habit of squatting down when giving pep talks and the voice his father used when he was angry.<ref name="dada">{{cite news|first=Sam|last=Anderson|url=https://nymag.com/arts/books/reviews/47039|title=Dada's Boy|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|date=May 16, 2008|access-date=June 8, 2008|archive-date=August 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819112936/https://nymag.com/arts/books/reviews/47039/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Other famous Farley characters included Todd O'Connor of [[Bill Swerski's Superfans]], a group of stereotypical Chicagoans who repeatedly shouted [[Chicago Bears|"da Bears!"]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/highlights/archives/2008/05/farley_exhibit.asp|title=New Exhibit: Chris Farley Remembered|publisher=Wisconsin Historical Society|access-date=June 8, 2008|archive-date=November 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106094908/http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/highlights/archives/2008/05/farley_exhibit.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> a would-be [[Chippendales]] dancer, in [[Chippendales Audition|a famous sketch]] that paired him with guest host [[Patrick Swayze]];<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theringer.com/tv/2020/3/31/21200801/chris-farley-chippendales-patrick-swayze-skating-snl-sketch|title=Chris Farley Should Be Remembered for His Grace, Not His Falls|first=Nate|last=Rogers|date=March 31, 2020|work=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]}}</ref><ref name=cnn>{{cite news|first=Henry|last=Goldblatt|url=https://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/05/07/chris.farley/|title='Chris Farley Show' stuffed with gossip|publisher=[[CNN]] |location=Atlanta, Georgia|date=May 7, 2008|access-date=June 8, 2008}}</ref> one of the "[[Gap Girls]]", who worked together at a local mall; a stereotypical [[lunch lady]], to the theme of "Lunchlady Land"' performed by Adam Sandler;<ref>{{cite book|first=Bill|last=Crawford|title=Adam Sandler: America's Comedian|publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan]]|location=New York City|date=2000|page=75|isbn=0-312-26282-5}}</ref> [[Bennett Brauer]], a ''[[Weekend Update]]'' commentator who often divulged his personal and hygienic problems via [[air quotes]]; and himself on ''[[The Chris Farley Show]]'', a talk show in which Farley "interviewed" the guest with poorly conceived questions or trailed off about subjects not germane to the guest.

Some of these characters were brought to ''SNL'' from his days at Second City. Farley also performed impersonations of [[Tom Arnold (actor)|Tom Arnold]] (who gave Farley's eulogy at his private funeral), [[Andrew Giuliani]], [[Jerry Garcia]], [[Meat Loaf]], [[Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr.|Norman Schwarzkopf]], [[Dom DeLuise]], [[Roger Ebert]], [[Carnie Wilson]], [[Newt Gingrich]], [[Mindy Cohn]], [[Mama Cass]], [[Hank Williams Jr.]], and [[Rush Limbaugh]].<ref name=wisconsin>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum/artifacts/archives/003176.asp|title=Chris Farley's Black Sheep Jacket|publisher=wisconsinhistory.org|access-date=June 7, 2008|archive-date=June 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610103041/http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum/artifacts/archives/003176.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Off-screen, Farley was well known for his pranks in the offices of ''Saturday Night Live''. Sandler and Farley would make late-night prank phone calls from the ''SNL'' offices in [[Rockefeller Center]], with Sandler speaking in an old woman's voice and Farley farting into the phone and [[mooning]] cars from a limousine, and even once defecating out a 17th floor window. He was also known to frequently get naked and do various stunts for laughs, including imitating [[Jame Gumb|Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb]] from the then-current film ''[[The Silence of the Lambs (film)|The Silence of the Lambs]]''. Rock once claimed that he probably saw Farley's genitals more than Farley's girlfriend did.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://nymag.com/arts/tv/features/47548/index6.html|title=Comedy Isn't Funny|last=Smith|first=Chris|date=March 15, 1995|magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|page=7|access-date=June 8, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Shales|first1= T. |last2=Miller|first2= J.A. |year=2002|title=Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live|location=New York|publisher=Back Bay Books|pages= 379–380}}</ref> Farley, alongside Sandler, was [[Dismissal (employment)|fired]] by NBC in 1995.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2010/01/21/2010-01-21_youre_not_alone_conan_obrien_adam_sandler_says_nbc_fired_him_and_chris_farley_fr.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124044753/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2010/01/21/2010-01-21_youre_not_alone_conan_obrien_adam_sandler_says_nbc_fired_him_and_chris_farley_fr.html | archive-date=2010-01-24 | title=You're not alone, Conan O'Brien: Adam Sandler says NBC fired him and Chris Farley from 'SNL' | website=[[New York Daily News]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/adam-sandler-talks-getting-fired-from-snl-bad-reviews-and-his-desire-to-play-a-villain?ref=scroll | title=Adam Sandler Talks Getting Fired from 'SNL,' Bad Reviews, and His Desire to Play a Villain | newspaper=The Daily Beast | date=12 September 2014 | last1=Stern | first1=Marlow }}</ref>

===Film career===
During his time on ''SNL'', Farley appeared in the comedy films ''[[Wayne's World (film)|Wayne's World]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/10-things-that-the-waynes-world-movies-gave-us-6396262|title=10 Things That the Wayne's World Movies Gave Us|last=Hlavaty|first=Craig|work=[[Houston Press]]|date=February 17, 2012|access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref> ''[[Wayne's World 2]]'', ''[[Coneheads (film)|Coneheads]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/coneheadspghowe_a0afe0.htm|title=''Coneheads''|last=Howe|first=Desson|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 23, 1993|access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref> ''[[Airheads]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9501E5DA1031F936A3575BC0A962958260|title=FILM REVIEW; 'Airheads.' Yes, Indeed. That and Even Less.|last=Maslin|first=Janet|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 5, 1994|access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref> and had an uncredited role in ''[[Billy Madison]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/billy-madison/review/130553/|title=Billy Madison|work=[[TV Guide]]|access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref> He also appeared in the music video for the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] single "[[Soul to Squeeze]]", which was featured on the soundtrack to ''Coneheads''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-10-best-red-hot-chili-peppers-music-videos-20160622/soul-to-squeeze-20160622|title=Readers' Poll: The 10 Best Red Hot Chili Peppers Music Videos|last=Spanos|first=Brittany|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=June 22, 2016|access-date=September 25, 2016|archive-date=October 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029200847/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-10-best-red-hot-chili-peppers-music-videos-20160622/soul-to-squeeze-20160622|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After Farley and most of his fellow cast members were released from their contracts at ''Saturday Night Live'' following the [[Saturday Night Live (season 20)|1994–95 season]], Farley began focusing on his film career. In his first two major films, ''[[Tommy Boy]]'' and ''[[Black Sheep (1996 film)|Black Sheep]]'', he starred with ''SNL'' colleague and close friend [[David Spade]]. These were a success at the domestic [[box office]], earning around $32 million each and gaining a large [[cult following]] on [[home video]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=blacksheep.htm|title=Box Office Mojo data for ''Black Sheep''|publisher=Box Office Mojo|date=March 15, 1996|access-date=October 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=tommyboy.htm|title=Box Office Mojo data for ''Tommy Boy''|publisher=Box Office Mojo|date=May 16, 1995|access-date=October 25, 2010}}</ref> The two films established Farley as a relatively [[bankable star]], and he was given the title role of ''[[Beverly Hills Ninja]]'', which finished in first place at the box office on its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=beverlyhillsninja.htm|title=Box Office Mojo data for ''Beverly Hills Ninja''|publisher=Box Office Mojo|date=January 17, 1997|access-date=October 25, 2010}}</ref>

Farley was particularly dissatisfied with ''Black Sheep'', an attempt by the studio to recapture the chemistry in ''Tommy Boy'', and which was only 60 pages into the script when the project was green-lit. As a result, he relapsed on the night of the premiere, which required further rehab before he could begin work on ''Beverly Hills Ninja''.<ref name=nypost>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/12162007/entertainment/that_was_awesome__816891.htm?page=0|title=That Was Awesome!|last=Tucker|first=Reed|date=December 16, 2007|newspaper=New York Post|access-date=June 7, 2008|archive-date=January 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103194239/http://www.nypost.com/seven/12162007/entertainment/that_was_awesome__816891.htm?page=0|url-status=dead}}</ref> His final completed films — ''[[Almost Heroes]]'' and ''[[Dirty Work (1998 film)|Dirty Work]]'' — were posthumously released in May and June 1998, respectively.

===Unfinished projects===
Farley was originally cast as the voice of the [[Shrek (character)|title character]] in the animated film ''[[Shrek]]'' (2001), recording 85% of the character's dialogue, but he died just before the voice-over was completed.<ref name=fastcompany>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3049545/chris-farley-was-originally-the-voice-of-shrek-and-footage-has-finally-surfaced|title=Chris Farley Was Originally The Voice of Shrek–And Footage Has Finally Surfaced|last=Berkowitz|first=Joe|date=August 6, 2015|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=February 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/chris-farley-shrek/|title=Hear What a Chris Farley Shrek Would Have Sounded Like in 1997|date=August 7, 2015|website=/Film|language=en-US|access-date=February 21, 2019}}</ref> The filmmakers considered having a Farley impersonator record the remaining lines, but Shrek's dialogue was eventually re-recorded by former ''SNL'' castmate [[Mike Myers]].<ref name=fastcompany/> A story reel and [[Shrek – I Feel Good Animation Test|animation test featuring a sample of Farley as Shrek]] was released in 2015 and 2022 respectively.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Griggs|first1=Brandon|title=Hear Chris Farley's Shrek in newly unearthed clip|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/06/entertainment/chris-farley-shrek-voice-feat|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref> The original version of Shrek was more like Farley himself, according to his brother.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/chris-farley-shrek-original-casting-how-different-125465444507.html/|title=Chris Farley's Original 'Shrek' Was 'Humble, Bumbling, Innocent', According to Brother|last1=Polowy|first1=Kevin|date=July 30, 2015|work=[[Yahoo!]] Entertainment|access-date=May 29, 2016}}</ref> Additionally, in [[Dana Carvey]] and [[David Spade]]'s podcast ''Fly on the Wall'' tribute episode to the 25th anniversary of Chris's death, [[John Farley (actor)|John Farley]] said he had been approached by the studio to complete Chris's lines due to his voice sounding almost identical to his brother's. While lamenting he wished he had completed the film for Chris, John admitted he just could not bring himself to do it at the time, even though Chris had five days left of line readings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-chris-farley-tribute-episode-part-2/id1603639502?i=1000590130223|title=Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade: The Chris Farley Tribute Episode (Part 2) on Apple Podcasts|website=Apple Podcasts}}</ref>

Farley was slated for another voice role in ''[[Dinosaur (2000 film)|Dinosaur]]'' (2000) as a young male ''[[Brachiosaurus]]'' named Sorbus who, despite his gigantic stature, was frightened of heights. After his death, the character was rewritten as Baylene, an elderly female ''Brachiosaurus'' voiced by [[Joan Plowright]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Parks|first=Zack|title=Top 10 Actors Who Almost Voiced Disney Animated Characters|date=September 28, 2012|url=http://geektyrant.com/news/2012/9/28/top-10-actors-who-almost-voiced-disney-animated-characters.html|access-date=July 25, 2015}}</ref>

At the time of his death, Farley had been in talks to co-star with [[Vince Vaughn]] in ''The Gelfin'', and to star in a biographical film about comedian [[Roscoe Arbuckle|Fatty Arbuckle]] to be written by [[David Mamet]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Redding|first=Jordan|title=The Life of Chris Farley Gone But Not Forgotten|date=November 30, 2014|publisher=[[Moviepilot]] |url=http://moviepilot.com/posts/2014/11/30/the-life-of-chris-farley-gone-but-not-forgotten-2471222?lt_source=external,manual|access-date=July 31, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|title=Fatty fall down, make tragedy: The Chris Farley Show|date=June 9, 2009|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/fatty-fall-down-make-tragedy-emthe-chris-farley-sh-28977|access-date=July 31, 2015}}</ref> [[Jim Carrey]]'s role in the 1996 film ''[[The Cable Guy]]'' was originally intended for Farley, but scheduling conflicts forced him to decline.<ref name=split>{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Bradford|title=The Lost Roles of Chris Farley|date=December 6, 2012|publisher=[[Splitsider]]|url=http://splitsider.com/2012/12/the-lost-roles-of-chris-farley|access-date=August 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808192125/http://splitsider.com/2012/12/the-lost-roles-of-chris-farley/|archive-date=August 8, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Farley was also offered the role of Ishmael (eventually played by [[Randy Quaid]]) in ''[[Kingpin (1996 film)|Kingpin]]'', though he was forced by Paramount to turn it down to honor his commitment to star in ''Black Sheep''.

Farley was slated to appear in a third ''[[Ghostbusters (franchise)|Ghostbusters]]'' film, which was at the time intended to be about a new trio of Ghostbusters taking on overpopulation in Hell.<ref name=split/><ref name=pilot>{{cite web|last=Ditzian|first=Eric|title=Original 'Ghostbusters' Cast Onboard For Reboot, Harold Ramis Says|date=March 27, 2009|publisher=[[MTV News]]|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1607995/original-ghostbusters-cast-onboard-for-reboot-harold-ramis-says|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128010008/http://www.mtv.com/news/1607995/original-ghostbusters-cast-onboard-for-reboot-harold-ramis-says/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 28, 2014|access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref> [[Dav Pilkey]], author of the children's book series ''[[Captain Underpants]]'', had wanted Farley to play the title role in a potential television series based on the books.<ref>{{cite web|last=Heller|first=Karen|title=His Books Let Him Stay Class Clown, Even At 34|date=April 26, 2000|publisher=[[Philly.com]]|url=http://articles.philly.com/2000-04-26/living/25588816_1_captain-underpants-ladies-from-outer-space-professor-poopypants|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907080051/http://articles.philly.com/2000-04-26/living/25588816_1_captain-underpants-ladies-from-outer-space-professor-poopypants|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2013|access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref>

Farley had been in talks for the lead in an adaptation of the novel ''[[A Confederacy of Dunces]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hyman|first=Peter|title=A Conspiracy of Dunces: Will John Kennedy Toole's comic masterpiece ever reach the big screen?|date=December 14, 2006|magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/hollywood/2006/12/a_conspiracy_of_dunces.html|access-date=25 July 2015}}</ref> Farley even expressed interest in portraying [[Atuk]] in an adaptation of the novel ''[[The Incomparable Atuk]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Raouf|first=Neda|title=The 'Atuk' Curse|date=February 21, 1999|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-21-tm-10276-story.html|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref> Both of these shelved projects, along with the Arbuckle biopic, have been alleged to be cursed as Farley, [[John Belushi]], and [[John Candy]] were each attached to both roles, and all three died before any of the films entered production.<ref name=split/><ref>{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Bradford|title=The Lost Roles of John Belushi|date=March 3, 2011|publisher=[[Splitsider]]|url=http://splitsider.com/2011/03/the-lost-roles-of-john-belushi|access-date=August 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828075343/http://splitsider.com/2011/03/the-lost-roles-of-john-belushi/|archive-date=August 28, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Farley was written in mind for a part in ''[[Grown Ups (film)|Grown Ups]]'' during early conception of the film. Development was put on hold due to his death and would not be released until 2010 with [[Kevin James]] in his place as Eric Lamonsoff.<ref>[https://www.vulture.com/2009/11/grown_ups_trailer.html]</ref>

Two months before his death, Farley had a conversation with Spade about a hypothetical third film that would have starred the duo (based on the box office successes of ''Tommy Boy'' and ''Black Sheep''). Although nothing was ever formalized, director [[Steven Surjik]] developed a script for a film named ''Tree'' with both Farley and Spade in mind. The plot was described as "...involving a low-level White House employee who goes to the Pacific Northwest in search of a presidential Christmas tree. The White House staffer hooks up with a quirky truck driver and hijinks ensue", presumably with Spade as the White House employee and Farley as the truck driver.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/surjik-may-helm-tree-now-at-mgm-1117784099/ |title=Surjik may helm 'Tree,' now at MGM |date=July 24, 2000 |last=DiOrio |first=Carl |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=July 9, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/chris-farley-david-spade-third-movie-death-1235241896/ |title=Chris Farley and David Spade Discussed Making a Third Film Two Months Before Farley's Death |date=April 27, 2022 |last=Sharf |first=Zack |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=July 9, 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life==
For most of his adult life, Farley battled [[Alcoholism|alcohol]] and [[Substance dependence|drug addiction]]. These addictions resulted in him being suspended from the cast of ''Saturday Night Live''. Producer [[Lorne Michaels]] had little patience for Farley's drug use (having had similar problems with [[John Belushi]]) and threatened to permanently dismiss Farley if he refused to obtain help.<ref>{{cite news|first=Steve|last=Mills|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/01/03/drug-overdose-killed-comedian-farley/|title=Drug overdose killed comedian Farley|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=January 3, 1998|access-date=July 3, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724045555/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-01-03/news/9801030066_1_chris-farley-cocaine-and-morphine-medical-examiner|archive-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> [[Bernie Brillstein]], whose firm of [[Brillstein Entertainment Partners|Brillstein-Grey Entertainment]] managed Farley, had repeatedly sent Farley to [[Drug rehabilitation|drug and alcohol rehabilitation]].<ref>Bernie Brillstein, Where Did I Go Right? You're No One in Hollywood Unless Someone Wants You Dead (1999, Little, Brown and Company)</ref>

In 1997, there was a visible decline in Farley's health. He made a [[All That (season 3)|guest appearance]] on [[Nickelodeon]]'s children's sketch comedy show ''[[All That]]''. The appearance proceeded without incident, but the physical comedy Farley was famous for was minimal, arguably because it was noticeable Farley was breathing heavily and struggling to perform.

On October 25, 1997, Farley made his final appearance on ''Saturday Night Live'' as a first-time host. The cold open featured Lorne Michaels doubting Farley's ability to host, with Tim Meadows advocating that "he will be calm, he will be focused and he will be good{{nbsp}}... His party days are over." [[Chevy Chase]] was Farley's "sponsor" in the sketch.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Hedegaard |first1=Erik |date=February 5, 1998 |title=Chris Farley: The Wild Ride and Sad End |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/chris-farley-the-wild-ride-and-sad-end-186660/ |access-date=September 9, 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Farley's hoarse voice and flushed skin were the subject of public scrutiny. He had strained his vocal cords during rehearsal and his exhaustion was so noticeable the producers nearly cancelled his appearance. In the final years of his life, Farley had sought treatment for his weight and drug abuse on 17 occasions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ew.com/article/1998/01/09/chris-farleys-sad-drug-fueled-final-days/|title=The Last Temptation of Chris|first=Chris|last=Nashawaty|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|location=New York City|date=January 9, 1998|access-date=June 7, 2008}}</ref>

==Death==
On December 18, 1997, at 2:00&nbsp;p.m. EST, Farley was found dead by his younger brother [[John P. Farley|John]] in his apartment in the [[John Hancock Center]] in Chicago, at the age of 33.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Larry|last1=Sutton| first2=Robert|last2=Domiguez|first3=Linda|last3=Hervieux|first4=Michael|last4=Sweeney|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/comic-farley-dead-age-33-article-1.772521|title=Chris Farley, actor and comedian, dies at 33 in 1997|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=December 16, 2015|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref> An autopsy revealed that Farley had died of an [[overdose]] of a combination of [[cocaine]] and [[heroin]],<ref name=NYTimes-Jan3>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/03/us/chris-farley-s-death-laid-to-drug-overdose.html|title=Chris Farley's Death Laid to Drug Overdose|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 3, 1998|access-date=June 7, 2008}}</ref> commonly known as a "[[Speedball (drug)|speedball]]". Advanced [[atherosclerosis]] was cited as a "significant contributing factor".<ref name=nypost/><ref name=NYTimes-Jan3/>

[[File:Farleygrave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.9|Farley's grave in 2010]]
A private funeral was held for Farley on December 23 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin. Over 500 people attended his funeral, including many comedians who had worked with him on ''Saturday Night Live'' and on film, such as [[Dan Aykroyd]], [[Adam Sandler]], [[Chris Rock]], [[Rob Schneider]], [[Lorne Michaels]], [[Al Franken]], [[John Goodman]], [[Bob Odenkirk]], [[Tim Meadows]], [[Norm Macdonald]], [[Robert Smigel]], [[George Wendt]], and [[Phil Hartman]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Sharon|last=Thelmer|url=http://www.onlineathens.com/1997/122497/1224.a3farley.html|title=Fellow comedians weep for Chris Farley|work=[[Athens Daily News]]|location=Athens, Georgia|date=December 18, 1997|access-date=October 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818015306/http://www.onlineathens.com/1997/122497/1224.a3farley.html|archive-date=August 18, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Joal|last=Ryan|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/35689/farley-funeral-day-the-clowns-cried|title=Farley funeral: The Day the Clowns Cried|website=eonline.com|date=December 23, 1997|access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> One of Farley’s best friends and colleague, [[David Spade]], was absent, fueling some speculation that there was some falling out with Farley prior to his death. Years later Spade denied this, saying that his absence from the funeral was because he would have found it too emotionally overwhelming.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Kory|last=Grow|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/david-spade-explains-why-he-didnt-attend-chris-farleys-funeral-190011/|title=David Spade Explains Why He Didn't Attend Chris Farley's Funeral|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |location=New York City|date=April 30, 2014|access-date=January 17, 2023}}</ref> Another funeral was held on January 13, 1998, at St. Monica Catholic Church.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9801/13/farley/#:~:text=SANTA%20MONICA%2C%20California%20(CNN),grieving%20family%20members%20and%20friends. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629064354/http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9801/13/farley/#:~:text=SANTA%20MONICA%2C%20California%20(CNN),grieving%20family%20members%20and%20friends. | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 29, 2024 | title=CNN - Friends, family grieve at Farley memorial service - Jan. 13, 1998 }}</ref> Farley's remains were interred at [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Madison#Cemeteries|Resurrection Cemetery]] in Madison.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-wanna-party-like-chris-farley-a-trip-to-the-grave-of-raps-favorite-comedian-1/ | title="I Wanna Party Like Chris Farley" - A Trip to the Grave of Rap's Favorite Comedian | date=15 August 2013 }}</ref>

==Legacy==
Farley's career, private life, and early death have often been compared to that of his comedy idol [[John Belushi]], who died at the same age and from a similar drug overdose.<ref name=cnn/><ref name=NYTimes-Jan3/>

On August 26, 2005, Farley was posthumously awarded the 2,289th star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]], located in front of [[I.O. West|iO West]].<ref name="Chris Farley Gets Posthumous Star">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-08-26-farley-star_x.htm|title=Chris Farley Gets Posthumous Star|work=USA Today|access-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref> An authorized biography of Farley, ''[[The Chris Farley Show]]'', was written by his brother Tom Jr. and Tanner Colby. The song "Purple Stain" from the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]' 1999 album, ''[[Californication (album)|Californication]]'', contains the lyric "Farley is an angel and I can prove this" as a tribute to Farley.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000394/bio|title=Chris Farley|website=IMDb|access-date=August 8, 2017}}</ref>

A television documentary on his life ''[[I Am Chris Farley]]'' was shown on August 10, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4-traders.com/NETWORK-MEDIA-GROUP-INC-9717197/news/Network-Media-Group-Inc--Network-Entertainment-Announces-Chris-Farley-Legacy-Documentary-17262264|title=Chris Farley|quotation= "an agreement with the Estate of Chris Farley under which Network (Entertainment) will develop and produce a feature documentary on the life and legacy of legendary funny man Chris Farley. We very much look forward to working with Kevin and the rest of the Farley family to recount Chris' life and work, and the impact he had on all those around him, in an authentic, moving, and of course very funny, way."|website=4-traders.com|access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/movies/167761_chris_farley_documentary_unveils_the_late_comedian_complex_struggles|title=Chris Farley Documentary Unveils the Late Comedian's Complex Struggles|last=Chestang|first=Raphael|date=July 10, 2015|website=[[Entertainment Tonight]]|access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref> Farley was also the subject of the TV program, ''Autopsy: The Last Hours of Chris Farley'', which premiered on November 19, 2016, on the [[Reelz]] channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://now.reelz.com/tve/tveshow.aspx?showid=286|title=Autopsy|publisher=Reelz.com|access-date=July 26, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107015228/https://now.reelz.com/tve/tveshow.aspx?showid=286|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2018, [[Adam Sandler]] wrote and performed an emotional tribute song dedicated to Farley in his Netflix stand-up special ''Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh''. Netflix released the performance on [[YouTube]] later that year to commemorate the 21st anniversary of Farley's death.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/10/26/adam-sandlers-netflix-100-fresh-his-best-work-years/1772450002/|title=Adam Sandler's Netflix stand-up special '100% Fresh' is his best work in years|work=USA Today|access-date=2018-11-05|language=en}}</ref> Sandler later played the song live on an episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' that he hosted on May 4, 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Romero|first=Dennis| url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/adam-sandler-returns-snl-after-24-years-opera-man-ode-n1002076|title=Adam Sandler returns to 'SNL' after 24 years with Opera Man and ode to Chris Farley|work=[[NBC News]]|date=May 5, 2019|access-date=May 3, 2019|language=en}}</ref>

On April 12, 2024, a Chris Farley biopic starring [[Paul Walter Hauser]] and directed by [[Josh Gad]] from a script by [[Scott Neustadter]] and [[Michael H. Weber]] was announced to be in the works, with SNL creator [[Lorne Michaels]] set to produce. Later that month, [[New Line Cinema]] and [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] acquired the rights to the project for $2.5 million.<ref>{{Cite news|last=VanHoose|first=Benjamin|url=https://people.com/chris-farley-played-by-paul-walter-hauser-new-movie-8631008|title=Chris Farley to Be Played by Paul Walter Hauser in Upcoming Biopic: 'Ready to Honor Christopher'|date=12 April 2024|access-date=19 April 2024|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |last2=D'Alessandro |first2=Anthony |title=New Line Front-Runner To Land Chris Farley Biopic Package Starring Paul Walter Hauser With Josh Gad Directing: The Dish |url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/new-line-chris-farley-paul-walter-hauser-josh-gadd-1235895056/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/avengelyne-deal-warner-bros-margot-robbie-olivia-wilde-simon-kinberg-tony-mcnamara-deadpool-creator-rob-liefeld-comic-1235896996/|title='Avengelyne' Package To Warner Bros With Margot Robbie, Olivia Wilde, Simon Kinberg; 'Poor Things' Tony McNamara To Adapt 'Deadpool' Creator Rob Liefeld Comic Book|work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=April 30, 2024}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1992
! scope="row"|''[[Wayne's World (film)|Wayne's World]]''
|Security Guard
|Film debut
|-
| rowspan="2" |1993
! scope="row"|''[[Coneheads (film)|Coneheads]]''
|Ronnie Bradford 
|
|-
! scope="row"|''[[Wayne's World 2]]''
|Milton
|
|-
|1994
! scope="row"|''[[Airheads]]''
|Officer Wilson
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1995
! scope="row"|''[[Billy Madison]]''
|Bus Driver 
|Uncredited
|-
! scope="row"|''[[Tommy Boy]]''
|Thomas "Tommy" Callahan III
|[[1995 MTV Movie Awards|MTV Movie Awards]] Best On-Screen Duo <small>(Shared with [[David Spade]])</small>
|-
|1996
! scope="row"|''[[Black Sheep (1996 film)|Black Sheep]]''
|Michael "Mike" Donnelly
|
|-
|1997
! scope="row"|''[[Beverly Hills Ninja]]''
|Haru
|Nominated: [[MTV Movie Awards]] Best Comedic Performance<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/bard-tops-mtv-list-1117434620/ |title= Bard Tops MTV List |first= Ray |last= Richmond |work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date= April 18, 1997 |access-date= November 22, 2023 |archive-date= November 22, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231122132152/https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/bard-tops-mtv-list-1117434620/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |1998
! scope="row"|''[[Almost Heroes]]''
|Bartholomew Hunt
|Posthumous release
|-
! scope="row"|''[[Dirty Work (1998 film)|Dirty Work]]''
|Jimmy No-Nose
|Uncredited; posthumous release (final film role)<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-15-ca-60022-story.html | title= Macdonald's 'Dirty Work' Needs a Laugh Transplant | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] | date= June 15, 1998 | first= David | last = Kronke | access-date = August 2, 2012}}</ref>
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1990–1995
! scope="row"|''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
|Matt Foley / Various characters
|100 episodes
|-
|1992
! scope="row"|''[[The Jackie Thomas Show]]''
|Chris Thomas
|Episode: "Ottumwa 52501"
|-
| rowspan=2|1993
! scope="row"|''[[Roseanne (TV series)|Roseanne]]''
|Man in Clothing Store
|Episode: "Glengarry, Glen Rosey"
|-
! scope="row"|''[[The Larry Sanders Show]]''
|Himself
|Episode: "NY or LA?"
|-
|1994
! scope="row"|''[[Tom (American TV series)|Tom]]''
|Chris
|Episode: "He's Heavy, He's My Brother"
|-
| rowspan=2|1997
! scope="row"|''[[All That]]''
|The Chicago Ketchup Chef
|Episode: "Mint Condition"
|-
! scope="row"|''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
|Himself (host)
|Episode: "Chris Farley/[[The Mighty Mighty Bosstones]]"
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0000394}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061122/http://screen.yahoo.com/chris-farley-snl-skits/ Chris Farley SNL video archive] at [[Yahoo! Screen]]
{{MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo}}
{{Portalbar|Biography}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Farley, Chris}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:1997 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American comedians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Madison, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:American sketch comedians]]
[[Category:Catholics from Illinois]]
[[Category:Catholics from Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Cocaine-related deaths in Illinois]]
[[Category:Comedians from Chicago]]
[[Category:Comedians from Madison, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Drug-related deaths in Illinois]]
[[Category:Farley family|Chris Farley]]
[[Category:Male actors from Chicago]]
[[Category:Marquette University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Maple Bluff, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:The Second City Training Center alumni]]