Born Name:  Christopher Crosby Farley

Born Date:  February 15, 1964

Born Place:  Madison, Wisconsin

Died Date:  December 18, 1997

Died Place:  Chicago, Illinois

Occupations:  Actor, comedian

Brief Biography:  Christopher Crosby Farley known for his loud, high-energy, and physical comedy style. He rose to fame as a cast member on NBC's Saturday Night Live (1990–1995) and starred in hit films such as Tommy Boy and Black Sheep before his untimely death at age 33.

Early Life and Education:
Athleticism: Despite being taunted for his weight as a child, he was a gifted athlete who played high school football and rugby in college.
Inspiration: He idolized John Belushi and was inspired to pursue comedy after seeing his father's joy watching Belushi in Animal House.
Education: He graduated from Marquette University in 1986 with a double major in communications and theatre.

Rise to Stardom:
Farley's career followed a rapid trajectory through the Chicago improv scene to national fame.
Chicago Improv: He began at the Ark Improv Theatre in Madison before moving to Chicago's Improv Olympic and Second City, where he was discovered by Lorne Michaels.
Saturday Night Live (1990–1995): He became a household name with characters like the motivational speaker Matt Foley, a wannabe Chippendales dancer, and "The Gap Girls".
Film Career: After being fired from SNL in 1995 along with Adam Sandler, he transitioned to starring roles in cult classics like Tommy Boy (1995), Black Sheep (1996), and Beverly Hills Ninja (1997).

Personal Struggles:
Addiction: Farley battled obesity, alcoholism, and substance abuse throughout his adulthood. He reportedly attended rehab more than a dozen times.
Parallels: His life and death strikingly mirrored his idol, John Belushi, who also died of an overdose at age 33.