Chris Farley Dead At 33
Chris Farley, the actor who rose to fame playing off-kilter but lovable characters on “Saturday Night Live,” was found dead in Chicago on Thursday. He was 33.
The cause of death was not immediately known, although Chicago
Fire Department officials told Reuters that he had died of
a heart attack. Farley’s body was reportedly found by his brother
in an apartment at the John Hancock building in downtown
Chicago.
Farley began his career with the renowned Second
City comedy troupe. Second City was also home to
John Belushi and John Candy — who both were major influences on Farley’s brand of physical comedy and who both, ironically, died in their prime.
Late Thursday afternoon Second City issued a statement saying,
“It is with the utmost sadness and deepest regret that the Second
City recognizes the passing of one of its own … Chris was many
things — talented, funny, gentle and kind. Everyday of his life
was devoted to entertaining others.”
Farley spent five seasons on “Saturday Night Live” popularizing
such characters as motivational speaker Matt Foley and the Chicago
Bears super fan.
In addition to his work on “SNL,” Farley appeared on the big
screen in “Tommy Boy,” “Black Sheep,” “Wayne’s World,” “Coneheads”
and “Beverly Hills Ninja.”