The Saddest Clown
Lessons from the life of Chris Farley
As the king of flattening tables, the only man able to out dance Patrick Swayze, and arguably the funniest comedian in SNL history, Chris Farley could make anyone laugh.
Except for himself.
Notably, Farley was tormented with an array of personal demons, and passed away far too young.
Whether Farley’s personal demons enhanced or deteriorated his comedic value is both debatable and controversial.
However, it is safe to say that the crazy, hysterical, uncontrollable, and insecurity-driven persona that is Chris Farley, not only made us all laugh, but invoked brilliant wisdom.
Here are lessons from the simultaneously tragic, and hilarious life of the sad clown, Chris Farley.
Sometimes the Best Answer Is the Least Expected
While taking a public speaking course at Marquette University, Chris Farley was tasked with the assignment to give a presentation answering one simple and open-ended prompt — explain how to do something.
To execute this assignment, Farley came late to his presentation in a sport coat holding three beers, apologized to the class nervously, proceeded to bolt out into the hallway and howl “primal screams,” slowly reentered the classroom with his shirt off, chugged a beer, chucked the empty can at the wall, and then calmly looked at the packed lecture hall simply stating, “How to get people’s attention.”
Absolutely iconic.
Although Farley’s grade on this assignment has not been publicly disclosed, there is no doubt that every single person in that classroom remembers that day.
Moreover, I will use this opportunity to declare that his presentation not only gave the best possible response to the given prompt, but also is the best presentation in the history of every single school ever.
Which leads us to the first lesson.
All too often, both educators and students play it far too safe in the classroom.
THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE.
Educators need to design assignments that encourage a wide range of outside-the-box thinking.
Likewise, students need to step up to the occasion, and be willing to go outside of one’s own comfort zone.
The status quo of playing it safe is failing us all.
Discreet Charity
Alongside his gift of making the world laugh, Farley frequently gave generous donations to charity.
Prior to making a name for himself, and reaching financial stability, Farley donated his entire Second City bonus.
Also, he was known on a first name basis at St. Malachy’s, a Chicago soup kitchen, and regularly held conversations with the homeless.
Most stunning of all, his closest friends, and his own brothers were completely unaware of Chris’s charitable contributions until after his death.
Which brings us to our next lesson.
Far too frequently, people perform charitable acts to bolster their own reputation.
However, it’s more impressive, and more personally satisfying to do charity for the sole purpose of spreading good.
People Are Nuanced
It is a well-known fact that Chris Farley’s role model, hero, and comedic inspiration was John Belushi.
Although Belushi was hysterical in his own right, and he surely enhanced Farley’s comedy, Belushi fought personal demons and shockingly suffered an overdose from heroin and cocaine at the young age of 33.
Failing to register Belushi’s flaws, Farley’s obsession and emulation of Belushi was tragically, successful.
Just like Belushi, Farley loved to flash his beer belly, spent five years on SNL, became addicted to booze, heroin, and cocaine, and died of an overdose at the exact same age of 33.
Which takes us to our next lesson.
People are nuanced.
No one person is completely good nor completely bad.
So, when choosing a role model, seek to emulate their best traits, but just as importantly, recognize their faults, and avoid them like the plague.
Fame and Addiction Is a Lethal Combo
Farley had numerous unquenchable addictions including booze, drugs, food, and the need for laughter.
Not as well known, Farley also suffered from severe depression and was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which forced him to enact compulsions such as touching and licking objects twice to quell his discomfort.
Although these addictions and mental health struggles played a pivotal part in his demise, Farley frequently sought out help.
Notably, Farley went to rehab 17 times, regularly met with a therapist, joined exercise classes, engaged with an athletic trainer, and took prescribed pharmaceutical drugs.
Sadly according to his family, many of Chris’s relapses were instigated by fan interactions.
When out to dinner, fans would buy Chris bottles of expensive wine, offer him cocaine in the bathroom, and even buy him meals while goading him to eat the whole thing as fast as possible.
Which leads us to our final lesson.
Being famous is hard as hell.
Give celebrities some space.
Source:
Murray, Derek and Hodge, Brent, directors. Anything for a Laugh. USA Network. 31 July, 2015
