Chris Farley Birth Date and Basic Facts
Chris Farley was born on February 15, 1964, in Madison, Wisconsin, and he died on December 18, 1997. If he were alive today, he would be 61 years old based on his birth year and current calendar years. His full name is Christopher Crosby Farley, and he is widely known as a comedian, actor, and writer. Farley graduated from Marquette University before moving to Chicago to study improvisational comedy at the Second City theater. He later joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, where he became a fan-favorite performer. His career was cut short by a drug overdose at age 33, a fact documented by multiple news outlets and biographical sources. For background on his early career and SNL tenure, see the overview at NBC SNL.
Chris Farley Career Highlights and Legacy
Farley joined SNL in 1990 and remained on the show until 1995, becoming part of the ensemble that launched many memorable characters and sketches. He was known for physical comedy, celebrity impressions, and recurring bits with co-star Chris Rock. After leaving SNL, he starred in films such as Tommy Boy and Black Sheep, and he voiced characters in animated projects including the first Shrek movie. His work influenced a generation of comedians, and he is frequently cited in retrospectives on 1990s comedy. Forbes and other outlets have noted his lasting impact on sketch comedy and pop culture. For more on his career timeline, see Forbes Entertainment.
Chris Farley Net Worth, Earnings, and Estate
Chris Farley died at age 33, so he did not accumulate the long-term wealth of some peers who remained active for decades. At the time of his death, his primary assets came from SNL contracts, film roles, and stand-up performances. His estate passed to his family, and public records show limited ongoing revenue compared to living SNL alumni. Reports from entertainment business sources cite his net worth at the time of death as modest relative to later SNL stars. For background on estate and royalty structures for performers, see SEC filings and Biography.com.