David Spade Pays Tribute To Friend, Co-Star Chris Farley On The Late Comedian's 20th Death Anniversary
Chris Farley died 20 years ago.
The beloved comedian who rose to fame as a member of the sketch show, Saturday Night Live, and starred in several movies including Beverly Hills Ninja, passed away on Dec. 18, 1997, at the age of 33.
He was found dead from an accidental drug overdose inside his apartment in Chicago. After two decades, his friend and fellow comedian, David Spade, remembers Farley with a simple tribute.
20 years ago today. pic.twitter.com/01TzKrelLT
— David Spade (@DavidSpade) December 18, 2017
Farley and Spade were both graduates of Saturday Night Live. They were on the show in the early 90s. The two also starred in Tommy Boy and Black Sheep.
Actor Kevin Farley also commemorated the death anniversary of his brother on social media. On a tweet, the The Paranormal Movie star attached an article celebrating how, two decades after his death, fans still respond to Farley's comedy.
Frozen and Beauty and the Beast star, Josh Gad, also remembered Farley on the day of his 20th death anniversary.
20 years later and it still hurts. Nobody has ever made me laugh harder. #ChrisFarley pic.twitter.com/2uJ3a3PZCH — Josh Gad (@joshgad) December 18, 2017
20 yrs ago I was shooting a funeral scene with @Imkevinfarley when i picked up my phone "I'm sorry about Chris." I hung up & went to find Kevin because I knew..RIP Chris Farley. My friend, my best man & fellow addict. Your legacy is your work & wonderful family. I love you Chris.
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) December 18, 2017
Chris Farley passed away 20 years ago today. He was as brilliant as he was kind. — Will Sasso (@WillSasso) December 18, 2017
This classic clip of Chris Farley picking up chicks at the mall will have you in tears. A comedic icon, gone too soon. #RIPChrisFarley pic.twitter.com/FDkj7ZUDEP
— Matt (@mattwhitlockPM) December 18, 2017
Moreover, other social media users chimed in. Comments about Farley's lasting legacy started to pour on Twitter.
Chris Farley I absolutely love you and will always remember all the laughter you provided me. pic.twitter.com/GXpevktM3S — Chris Skinner (@cskinner1789) December 18, 2017
Lasting Friendship
Spade and Farley met in the 90s when Farley started a successful comedy career as a cast on Saturday Night Live. In an interview with Today in 2015, Spade recalled his friend's reaction upon arriving in New York City.
"So we walked to work, and [he said], 'There's a McDonald's here, too? There's one in Wisconsin,'" Spade said. "He was like Wisconsin Dundee. He didn't know anything. When he'd go to the ATM, he'd only take out like $10 at a time. I was like, 'Pick it up guy. I don't want to go every 6 minutes!'"
Farley was born in Madison, Wisconsin. He joined Saturday Night Live around the same time that fellow comedian, Chris Rock, did. He often collaborated with Spade, Rock, Rob Schneider, and Adam Sandler.
Spade also described Farley as a total sweetheart, a man who was immediately nice and funny, and someone he loved to tease.
"I just made fun of him," the Grown Ups actor added. "We always laughed. We were like an old married couple — except we slept in the same bed."
They have remained friends since then.
Spade regularly posts photos of Farley on social media. Earlier this year, he published a throwback photo of his friend on Instagram to celebrate his birthday on Feb. 16. The late actor/comedian would have been 53 years old.
