Chris Farley was a celebrated American comedian and actor, best known for his energetic and physical comedy on 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL) and roles in films such as Tommy Boy and Black Sheep. His boisterous presence and talent for self-deprecating humor made him a standout figure in 1990s comedy.
Christopher Crosby Farley was born on February 15, 1964, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was the middle child in a family of five siblings. Raised in a devout Catholic household, Farley developed a love for making people laugh during his school years. He attended Marquette University, where he studied communications and theater, graduating in 1986. Following college, he honed his comedic skills at Chicago's Ark Improv Theatre and later at the ImprovOlympic, where he was mentored by Del Close—the same influential coach who had trained comedy legends such as John Belushi, one of Farley’s idols.
Farley's talent caught the attention of producers at The Second City, Chicago’s renowned sketch comedy troupe, where he became a cast member. It was during his time there that he was discovered by Lorne Michaels, producer of Saturday Night Live. In 1990, Farley joined the SNL cast and quickly became a fan favorite, known for his physical comedy and memorable characters. Notable sketches included a Chippendales dance-off with Patrick Swayze, motivational speaker Matt Foley—named after a real-life friend and priest—and the awkwardly hilarious “The Chris Farley Show,” where he interviewed celebrities such as Jeff Daniels and Martin Scorsese.
Building on his success at SNL, Farley transitioned into film with a minor role as a security guard in Wayne’s World (1992) and its 1993 sequel. He went on to appear in Coneheads (1993) and Airheads (1994), but it was Tommy Boy (1995) that marked his breakout as a leading actor. Co-starring his longtime friend and fellow comedian David Spade, the film became a cult classic. The duo reunited in Black Sheep (1996), another buddy comedy that showcased their unique comedic chemistry. Farley also starred in Beverly Hills Ninja (1997), a martial arts comedy that highlighted his flair for physical humor. Although he had a cameo in Billy Madison (1995), he was not a lead in that Adam Sandler film.
Despite his larger-than-life public persona, Farley often struggled in his personal life. He never married but was romantically linked to several women over the years. Among his known relationships was Erin Maroney, who began as Lorne Michaels' assistant and later became a writer for SNL. He was also briefly linked to actress and writer Karen Duffy in the early 1990s. Friends and colleagues frequently described Farley as a kind, generous, and sensitive person off-stage.
Chris Farley passed away on December 18, 1997, at the age of 33 due to a drug overdose. At the time of his death, he stood 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed approximately 296 pounds. His untimely death marked a tragic end to a promising career and drew comparisons to his comedic hero, John Belushi, who also died young under similar circumstances.
| Birth Date: | 15 Feb, 1964 |
| Age: | 56 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Madison |
| Education: | Marquette University |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor and comedian (1964-1997) |
| Net Worth 2020: | 5 million |
| Net Worth 2021: | 5 million |
