Chris Farley Death: Chris Farley was a force of nature on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s. In iconic sketches roles, such as that of Matt Foley, a motivational speaker, and a Chippendale’s dancer, Farley stole the show.
However, Farley’s uncontrolled excesses and wild partying proved fatal offscreen. He died at 33.
A Rapid Ascent to Fame
Christopher Crosby Farley, a Wisconsin native, was born February 15, 1964 in Madison. He has always been a natural comedian. Farley, a small-sized kid, found the best way to avoid being ridiculed by bullies was to beat them to it.
Farley graduated from Marquette University and made his way to Chicago’s Second City Improv Theater. Lorne Michaels, head honcho of SNL, noticed Farley’s antics on stage before too long.
Michaels was quick to take the soon-to be star to Studio 8H along with new SNL talent like Adam Sandler, David Spade and Chris Rock.
Farley felt the pressure of his newfound fame soon after he joined the show in 1990. Farley began to depend on drugs and alcohol and gained a reputation quickly for his outrageous behavior.
People close to him later described him as “a very sweet boy before midnight” despite his apparent lack of control.
What Happened Before Chris Farley Died?
The comedian’s role in Chippendale’s wannabe, Chris Farley, cemented his legend status. Farley’s friends are now questioning the positive effects of the now-famous sketch.
Chris Rock remembers “Chippendales” being a strange sketch. Hate it. “We can’t hire you because you’re fat” is a joke. Why? You want a fat man to dance shirtless. Okay. Done. So funny! Laugh when he stops dancing.
Rock said, “It’s over.” It’s not funny. Mean Chris Farley wouldn’t have done it if he was more stable, but he loved being liked. Chris Farley’s life was strange. It was funny but tragic for Chris. It is Perfect timing.
After four seasons, Farley quit SNL to become an actor. Tommy Boy made him a star. Tom Farley says waiting for critics’ reviews was emotionally draining for him.
He wanted Hollywood’s approval but wanted more. In an interview, Farley discussed his desire for connection.
“This idea of love would be wonderful. It’s something I haven’t experienced, except with my family. It’s beyond my reach at this point. It is something I can visualize, and it makes me sad.
Farley was struggling to quit his drinking habits, overeating, and drug use. Chris was constantly in and out rehab clinics and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
In the late 1990s, he worried about benders. Some involved heroin or cocaine. Adam Sandler told a friend, “You’ll die from that, stop.” It’s doomed.
Farley used his love for John Belushi against Chase. “You’re not John Belushi,” Chase told Farley. Overdosing or killing yourself won’t bring you fame. John’s success will eclipse yours.
In 1997, two months before Chris Farley’s death, he returned to host SNL. His lack of stamina shocked cast and audience. Something was wrong immediately.
The Drug-Fueled Final Days of Chris Farley
Chris Farley Death: Chris Farley couldn’t overcome his demons despite 17 rehab stints
Farley, 33 years old, was found dead on December 18, 1997 after a four-day binge with booze and other drugs. John Farley, his brother, found him in Chicago’s apartment entryway wearing only pajamas.
Farley’s binge began at Karma club, where he partied until 2 AM. The party then moved to Farley’s apartment.
He stopped by Second City’s 38th Anniversary Party the next night. Later, he was spotted at a pub crawl.
He allegedly spent the next day with a $300-per hour call girl, and then he abandoned his plans to get a haircut. Later, she claimed that the star was more interested than her giving cocaine.
She said that she didn’t believe he knew what he wanted. You could see he was going on a rampage… He kept moving from one room to the next.”
It was too late when Farley’s brother John discovered him.
What Caused Chris Farley’s Death?
Chris Farley Death: According to police, there was no evidence of drug use or foul play in the apartment. Chris Farley’s cause of death was not known until a toxicology report was completed.
Some speculated that he was abusing drugs and alcohol, while others suggested that he had suffered from heart failure. Many believed he had choked to death.
The cause of death in January 1998 was a fatal overdose of morphine cocaine. This is known as a speedball.
It was an extremely similar combination of drugs that claimed John Belushi’s life in 1982, when he was 33 years old.
Farley’s case also showed a significant contribution from a narrowing in the arteries that supply the heart muscle.
Farley died from an antidepressant, and antihistamine. However, blood tests revealed that Farley had also taken antidepressants and antihistamines. Also, there were trace amounts of marijuana. Alcohol was not.
Recalling the Legend That Was Larger Than Life
David Spade, Chris Farley’s friend, opened up to him about his tragic death more than 20 years later.
Spade posted on Instagram in 2017: “Heard just now that Farley was turning a year older today. It still has an impact on me and many others around the globe. It’s funny to run into people I don’t know. This is the reality of modern life, but it still shocks me a little.
Chris Farley’s death shows how fame can cause harm to anyone it touches. He was too obsessed with the desire to please.
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