Who Is Chris Farley? Age, Biography and Wiki
Chris Farley was born on February 15, 1964, in Madison, Wisconsin. His infectious laugh, larger-than-life personality, and exceptional comedic timing made him an unforgettable figure in American entertainment. Farley rose to fame as a cast member on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s, where his memorable characters and sketches captivated audiences. Tragically, Farley passed away at the young age of 33 on December 18, 1997, but his impact on comedy and film remains everlasting.
| Occupation | Comedian |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 15, 1964 |
| Age | 33 Years |
| Birth Place | Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 18 December, 1997 |
| Died Place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Popularity
Chris Farley's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Though Chris Farley is no longer physically present, he was known for his distinctive build and physical comedy. During his lifetime, he stood at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighed around 300 pounds (136 kg). His size often played into his comedy, allowing him to create memorable slapstick moments that endeared him to fans.
Christopher Crosby Farley (February 15, 1964 – December 18, 1997) was an American actor and comedian. He was a member of Chicago's Second City Theatre and later a cast member of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live for five seasons, from 1990 to 1995.
He went on to pursue a film career, appearing in films such as Airheads, Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, Beverly Hills Ninja, and Almost Heroes. Farley was widely known for his physical performance/comedy and athleticism (similar to Curly Howard and Roscoe Arbuckle).
This was used to great effect during his time on Saturday Night Live, and continued through many of his films. From his early acting days, and through the height of his fame, Farley struggled with obesity, alcoholism, and substance abuse. He died of a drug overdose at the age of 33.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Chris Farley was known for keeping much of his personal life private. While reports and biographies indicate he had various relationships, he never married. Farley had a close-knit family, including his parents, Thomas and Mary Anne Farley, and four siblings. His relationships with family and friends played a significant role in his life, shaping his humor and personality.
His father Thomas John Farley Sr. (1936–1999) owned an oil company and his mother Mary Anne (née Crosby) was a homemaker. He had four siblings: Tom Jr., Kevin, John, and Barbara. His cousin Jim is chief executive officer at Ford Motor Company. Farley attended parochial schools in Madison, including Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart.
According to Joel Murray, a fellow Second City cast member, Farley would "always make it to Mass."
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Chris Farley’s net worth was estimated at around $5 million. His wealth was accumulated through a successful career in stand-up comedy, television, and film. Given the ongoing popularity of his work, it is likely that his estate continues to generate revenue from syndication, merchandising, and memorabilia, although exact figures for 2025 are unavailable.
Career, Business and Investments
Chris Farley's career blossomed in the early 1990s when he joined SNL, where he became famous for characters like "Matt Foley," the motivational speaker. His success on the show transitioned into a flourishing film career, with memorable roles in movies such as Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, and Beverly Hills Ninja.
Aside from acting, Farley engaged in various business ventures, including stand-up comedy performances and live tours. He also invested in charitable works, supporting causes related to addiction recovery, which became particularly meaningful to him later in life.
After Farley and most of his fellow cast members were released from their contracts at Saturday Night Live following the 1994–95 season, Farley began focusing on his film career. In his first two major films, Tommy Boy and Black Sheep, he starred with SNL colleague and close friend David Spade.
These were a success at the domestic box office, earning around $32 million each and gaining a large cult following on home video. The two films established Farley as a relatively bankable star, and he was given the title role of Beverly Hills Ninja, which finished in first place at the box office on its opening weekend.
Social Network
Though Chris Farley passed away long before the age of social media, his legacy lives on through various online platforms. Fans commemorate him on social media channels like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, where they share clips from his classic performances and express their love and admiration. Additionally, his work is frequently discussed on video platforms like YouTube, highlighting the influence he continues to have on comedians today.
Farley was originally cast as the voice of the title character in the animated film Shrek (2001), recording 85% of the character's dialogue, but he died just before the voice-over was completed.
The filmmakers considered having a Farley impersonator record the remaining lines, but Shrek's dialogue was eventually re-recorded by former SNL castmate Mike Myers. A story reel and animation test featuring a sample of Farley as Shrek was released in 2015 and 2022 respectively.
The original version of Shrek was more like Farley himself, according to his brother.
Additionally, in Dana Carvey and David Spade's podcast Fly on the Wall tribute episode to the 25th anniversary of Chris's death, John Farley said he had been approached by the studio to complete Chris's lines due to his voice sounding almost identical to his brother's.
While lamenting he wished he had completed the film for Chris, John admitted he just could not bring himself to do it at the time, even though Chris had five days left of line readings.
Education
Chris Farley attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he initially pursued a degree in communications. While at college, he became involved in the school's improv comedy troupe, gaining the skills and experience that would eventually lead him to a successful career in comedy. His educational background contributed significantly to his development as a performer and his ability to connect with audiences.
