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The Wide Angle - February / March 1998 |
What ever you thought of Chris Farley as an entertainer, there is no doubt he was a big man in the business. His untimely death, at the age of 33, sparked debate over the contributing factors of his demise. Was it the booze, the drugs, the women or his girth that killed him? Many members of the press wasted no time in pointing out his massive (their words) size and appetite for food, drugs and booze. A young man obsessed with his mentor John Belushi, who also died at the age of 33, he often boasted to friends that he wanted to live fast and die young like John. On December 18th 1997, he got his wish.
Despite his 6 million-dollar salary per film, Chris suffered from low self-esteem. He said he often wondered if fans were laughing with him or at him. His physical style of comedy was based on the time tired premise of "the fat guy falls down" routine. He made fun of himself before someone made fun of him. This self-deprecating type of humor often alienated him with members of the size rights community. Many saw him as one long running fat joke that they are working hard to dispel. Others viewed him as a hero who proved you can be fat and make it in show business. Regardless of our views, it was Chris' insecurity that lead to his hiding in a bottle or a pipe full of brain numbing substances. He bounced in and out of rehab trying to kick his addictions.
Whether it was his comedy or his lifestyle, it seemed what ever Chris did, he did to excess. It’s a shame that he never lived to show us the other side of Chris Farley. Sadder still is I doubt he ever caught a glimpse of it either.
K.J.Moore
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