• Faith: Christian - Catholic
• Career: Actor
• Birthday:  February 15, 1964
• Date of Death:  December 18, 1997

Chris Farley was a comedian and actor best known for his energetic physical comedy on “Saturday Night Live” and for starring in films including “Tommy Boy,” “Black Sheep” and “Beverly Hills Ninja.” His larger-than-life performances made him one of the most recognizable comedians of the 1990s before his death from an accidental drug overdose at age 33.

Christopher Crosby Farley was born Feb. 15, 1964, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was one of five children born to Thomas John Farley Sr., who owned an oil company, and Mary Anne Crosby Farley, a homemaker. Farley grew up with brothers Tom Jr., Kevin and John and sister Barbara in an Irish-American Catholic family.

Farley attended Catholic schools in the Madison area, including Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart. He later enrolled at Marquette University in Milwaukee, where he studied communications and theater, played rugby and developed his interest in comedy. He graduated in 1986.

After college, Farley moved to Chicago and studied and performed improvisational comedy. He worked with the Ark Improv Theatre and ImprovOlympic before joining Chicago’s famed Second City. His performances there eventually caught the attention of “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels.

Farley joined “Saturday Night Live” in 1990 and remained with the show until 1995. Known for his fearless physical comedy, Farley became a fan favorite through characters such as motivational speaker Matt Foley, who famously lived “in a van down by the river,” as well as sketches including “The Chris Farley Show” and his memorable Chippendales audition opposite Patrick Swayze.

His television success led to a growing film career. After supporting roles in “Wayne’s World,” “Coneheads,” “Airheads” and “Billy Madison,” Farley landed his breakthrough starring role opposite friend and fellow “SNL” cast member David Spade in the 1995 comedy “Tommy Boy.” The pair reunited for “Black Sheep” in 1996, and Farley starred in “Beverly Hills Ninja” in 1997. His final films, “Almost Heroes” and “Dirty Work,” were released after his death.

Farley never married and had no children. Away from his comedy career, he struggled for years with alcohol and drug addiction and entered treatment numerous times. His battles with addiction became increasingly serious during the final years of his life.

On Dec. 18, 1997, Farley was found dead by his younger brother John in his Chicago apartment at the John Hancock Center. He was 33. The Cook County medical examiner determined that Farley died from an accidental overdose of cocaine and morphine, with coronary atherosclerosis listed as a significant contributing factor.

His funeral was held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Madison, and he was buried at Resurrection Cemetery. Farley was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005.

Chris Farley's Religious Beliefs

Farley was a devout Roman Catholic whose faith remained an important part of his life despite his struggles with addiction. Raised in an Irish Catholic household, he attended Catholic schools, served as an altar boy and later attended Marquette University, a Jesuit institution.

Farley continued practicing his faith after becoming famous. Friends and colleagues recalled that he regularly attended Mass, including during his years at “Saturday Night Live.” Fellow cast member Siobhan Fallon Hogan has described attending Sunday evening Mass with Farley in New York after the show’s late-night schedule and parties. His longtime friend Father Matt Foley said Farley went through periods when he attended Mass daily and regularly received the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Farley met Foley while the two attended Marquette and played rugby together. Foley later became a Catholic priest and remained a close friend and spiritual influence. Farley named his famous “SNL” motivational speaker character Matt Foley after him. The two remained in contact and discussed faith as well as Farley’s struggles with addiction.

Farley also quietly performed charitable work connected to his faith. Friends recalled that he volunteered at soup kitchens and visited nursing homes while living in New York. He also visited hospitalized children and performed other acts of generosity without seeking publicity. Many of these activities were not widely known until after his death.

Father Foley later described Farley as deeply aware of both his personal struggles and his dependence on God’s grace, reflecting a Catholic faith that remained significant throughout his life.