Chris Farley was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “Tommy Boy,” “Billy Madison,” and “Beverly Hills Ninja.” He was renowned for his energetic and comedic performances, particularly on “Saturday Night Live.”
Personal and Family Life
Chris Farley was born on February 15, 1964, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was the son of Thomas John Farley and Mary Anne Farley, and he had three brothers, including actors Kevin P. Farley and John Farley. Chris graduated from Marquette University, where he studied theater and communications before joining the Second City Theatre troupe.
Career
Farley gained fame on “Saturday Night Live,” where he performed from 1990 to 1995. He became famous for his characters such as Matt Foley and Todd O’Connor. In addition to his SNL work, Farley starred in hit movies like “Wayne’s World,” “Tommy Boy,” and “Black Sheep,” often collaborating with fellow comedian David Spade. Despite his success, he struggled with personal issues, including substance abuse.
Death and Legacy
Chris Farley passed away on December 18, 1997, at the age of 33 due to a drug overdose. His death was ruled accidental, linked to an overdose of opiates and cocaine. Farley’s legacy continues through his memorable performances and the influence he had on comedy, inspiring generations of comedians.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Billy Madison | 1995-02-10 | Bus Driver (uncredited) |
| Tommy Boy | 1995-03-31 | Thomas ‘Tommy’ Callahan III |
| Wayne’s World | 1992-02-14 | Security Guard |
| Wayne’s World 2 | 1993-12-10 | Milton |
| Coneheads | 1993-07-23 | Ronnie the Mechanic |
| Beverly Hills Ninja | 1997-01-17 | Haru |
| Airheads | 1994-08-05 | Officer Wilson |
| Black Sheep | 1996-02-01 | Mike Donnelly |
| Almost Heroes | 1998-05-29 | Bartholomew Hunt |
| Saturday Night Live: The Best of Adam Sandler | 1999-10-26 | Daryl (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special | 1999-09-25 | Self |
| Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley | 2003-10-26 | Self / Various (archive footage) |
| I Am Chris Farley | 2015-07-27 | Self (archive footage) |
| Bad Boys of Saturday Night Live | 1998-09-26 | Self / Various (archive footage) |
| Dirty Work | 1998-06-12 | Jimmy |
| Saturday Night Live: A Tribute to Chris Farley | 1998-01-01 | Self (archive footage) |
| Saturday Night Live | 1975-10-11 | Self – Various Characters |
| The Larry Sanders Show | 1992-08-15 | Chris Farley |