Chris Farley would have been one of most sought after comedians had it not been for his untimely death. He was chosen to be the voice of Shrek and had recorded some lines too but he passed away before the film could be completed. Mike Myers took over instead and the rest is history.
Chris Farley was born on 15 February, 1965, in Madison, Wisconsin. He graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Communication and Theatre. After working briefly with his father, Farley got his chance to act at the Ark Improv Theatre in Madison and the Improv Olympic Theatre in Chicago. In Chicago, he also performed at the Second City Theatre. He became very popular for his various acts at the Second City and it was there that he was discovered by Saturday Night Live creator, Lorne Michaels.
Farley worked on Saturday Night Live for five years along with fellow cast members like Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, David Spade and Rob Schneider. Farley became popular with characters like a Chippendales dancer, motivational speaker Matt Foley, an update commentator Bennett Brauer, and a lunch lady performed with Adam Sandler. Some of these were characters he performed at the Second City. Farley also did impersonations of other celebrities like Tom Arnold, Jerry Garcia and Meat Loaf. His trademark was his immense energy despite his girth.
In between doing Saturday Night Live he also did films like Wayne’s World (1992), Coneheads (1993), Airheads (1994), Billy Madison (1995) and Tommy Boy (1995). Tommy Boy , with best friend David Spade, was a big box office hit and Farley became very popular as a comedian. They worked again in another major film called Black Sheep (1996). Soaring popularity won Farley a chance to act as a solo lead in Beverly Hills Ninja (1997). This film was a huge hit in the first week itself.
A successful career, however, could not prevent Chris from taking to alcohol and drugs. His weight also proved a problem to many filmmakers as he had to be treated regularly at weight reduction treatment centres. His last film was Almost Heroes (1998) opposite Mathew Perry. Farley died of a drug overdose at the age of thirty-three. He was found at his apartment by his younger brother the next day. The reasons for his death were his weight and an overdose of speedball.
More than five hundred people attended his funeral. He was loved by many of his co-stars and they have honoured him after his death. In 2005, he was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star is located near Farley’s old workplace, the Improv Olympic West.
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