Chris Farley

Ten years ago today, Chris Farley died.

His death was the result of an accidental drug overdose, along with coronary atherosclerosis. It was the result of a lifestyle of celebrity excess.

There are plenty of stories of Farley's recklessness and how he lived life on the edge. His abuse of drugs and alcohol is well-documented.

But there still was a certain sweetness about him. He projected that Midwestern unpretentiousness. He was so likable; make that lovable.

He was a Wisconsin boy, grew up in a Catholic family, and was a Marquette graduate. He was a Packers fan.


(Photo/Wisconsin Historical Society)

There were traces of Farley's Wisconsin background in his work. He named one of his characters, motivational speaker Matt Foley, after his Marquette rugby teammate, now a Catholic priest. (I'm quite sure that the real Matt Foley doesn't live in a van down by the river.) He wore his Marquette rugby jacket in his movie Tommy Boy.

Even after Farley achieved success, he went to Mass regularly.

I couldn't relate to the excess, but I could relate to him. I knew where he came from. He was one of us.

It's hard to believe it's been ten years.
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"Remembering a brother," May 3, 2008