On December 18, 1997, Chris Farley was found dead in his Chicago apartment after overdosing on drugs and alcohol. Farley was only 33 at the time, and yet his death wasn't a shock to his close friends and family. in "Live From New York," Bob Odenkirk and Chris Rock describe the last times they saw Farley, feeling like his fate was inevitable. Others, like Robert Smigel, described the immense guilt they felt over not being able to help their friend through his struggles.
E! News reported that Farley's funeral was held two days before Christmas, with guests including Chris Rock, Lorne Michaels, and Dan Aykroyd. David Spade, Farley's frequent collaborator in TV and film, didn't attend the proceedings. Later, during a Reddit AMA, he explained that he felt too emotionally distraught in the aftermath of his friend's passing. In spite of Farley's tragic passing, his legacy in the world of comedy remains untouched. Many of Farley's friends and collaborators appeared in a documentary film, "I Am Chris Farley," which was released in 2015.
In retrospect, many of those same collaborators have expressed their distaste for Farley's career trajectory. One of Farley's most famous sketches, "Chippendale's," has been criticized by former "Saturday Night Live" writers and cast members for psychologically damaging Farley's self-image. Even Robert Smigel regretted adding the coffee table-smashing at the end of the original Matt Foley sketch (via The New Yorker).
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
