Highlights Archives
Growing Up with Chris Farley
Larger-than-life funnyman and Madison native Chris Farley made his mark in stand-up comedy, television and the movies. He embodied and exported Wisconsin culture to the world stage. Now Chris Farley is the subject of a popular exhibit at the Wisconsin Historical Museum and of a biography, The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts, co-authored by his brother, Tom.
On Thursday, June 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., folks will have the opportunity to see the exhibit, Chris Farley Remembered, and hear Tom Farley speak at the Wisconsin Historical Museum, 30 North Carroll Street, on Madison's Capitol Square. The suggested program donation is $2 per person.
Tom Farley's talk is titled, Growing up with Chris Farley and Living with His Legacy. After the presentation Tom will sign copies of his book, which has earned a slot in the top 15 on The New York Times Best Sellers list of hardcover nonfiction.
The Chris Farley Show is Tom's first work as an author. He collaborated with Tanner Colby, author of the recent biography of actor John Belushi. The book is based on countless hours of interviews with family and friends who talked about Farley's self-deprecating humor and his demons. Among them are David Spade, Alec Baldwin, Chris Rock, Al Franken, Conan O'Brien, Molly Shannon, Janeane Garofalo, Tim Meadows, John Goodman, Chevy Chase, and Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels.
The Chris Farley Remembered exhibit, which has received nationwide publicity, features mementoes from Chris' years in Wisconsin and as a celebrity. Included are his rugby jacket from Marquette University, his "Callahan" baseball cap from the movie Tommy Boy, the campaign jacket he wore in Black Sheep, and the sword he used in Beverly Hills Ninja. A highlight is the jacket and tie Chris wore as motivational speaker Matt Foley on Saturday Night Live. Video clips highlight some of Farley's best SNL moments. The exhibit also notes the Chris Farley Foundation, created by the Farley family to help people fight drug and alcohol addictions. The comedian died of a drug overdose at age 33 in 1997. The exhibit runs through November 15, 2008.
:: Posted June 2, 2008
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