Chris Farley was an American comedian and actor who was a household name in the 1990s thanks to his larger-than-life personality and amusing performances on shows and movies like ‘SNL‘, ‘Tommy Boy‘ and ‘Black Sheep‘. Farley was in a long-standing battle with drug and alcohol addiction for years, and his untimely death at the young age of 33 shocked and distressed fans around the world.
Farley died of a drug overdose on 18 December 1997. In the end, his relentless partying and excessive lifestyle proved to be his undoing. His death is a stark reminder of the dangers of addiction and the toll it takes on even the most talented and beloved individuals.
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Chris Farley’s Rise To Fame
Born in Madison, Wisconsin on 15 February 1964, Christopher Crosby Farley was an overweight kid. He quickly learned to make fun of himself before anyone else as he found it the best way to avoid bullying. Following his graduation from Marquette University, he landed a role at Chicago’s Second City Improv Theatre, where his hilarious performances caught the attention of Lorne Michaels, the ‘SNL’ producer. His stardom on ‘SNL’ was unparalleled in the 90s, thanks to his iconic sketch characters like Matt Foley and a plump Chippendales dancer.
However, the pressure of fame took its toll and he began to rely on drugs and alcohol. After four seasons on the show, Farley left to pursue a career in Hollywood, where he was also hugely successful. He sought help at weight-loss centers, rehab, and AA meetings but was never able to kick his addiction to the curb. His ongoing battle with substance abuse ultimately led to his untimely death.
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Farley’s Final Days And His Death
Despite his various stints at rehab, Farley never got around to being completely sober. Prior to his death, he went on a four-day binge of alcohol and drugs that started on December 14, 1997 and ended with his death on December 18. The binge allegedly began at a club called Karma, where he partied till the sun came up and then the party moved to his apartment. The next day he attended the 38th-anniversary party for Second City and then proceeded to go for another pub crawl.
The following day, he allegedly spent time with a crawl who later claimed that Farley was more interested in her providing cocaine than anything else. Farley’s brother John found him sprawled in the hall of his Chicago apartment, wearing only pajama bottoms. Toxicology reports showed traces of cocaine, morphine, and marijuana in his system. Farley also had an advanced heart disease that thinned his arteries. In his final moments, he was doing with the call girl, who later stole his watch and took pictures of him when he collapsed on the floor and left a note before leaving. Apparently, his last words were “Don’t leave me.”
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