Comedian Chris Farley was a motivational speaker, a rabid fan and a topless dancer on “Saturday Night Live.” On Friday, the late comic was the toast of his castmates as they honored him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“I think it’s sweet that everyone still has a real nice place in their hearts for him, they still remember him,” said actor-comedian David Spade, who appeared with Farley during his 1990-95 reign on the show.
“He goes down as one of the greats. And I still think about him every day,” Spade said.
Fans, friends and family surrounded Farley’s star, the walk’s 2,289th, in front of the Improv Olympic West theater where the actor used to perform. Among other celebrities in attendance were “SNL” alums Chris Rock and Adam Sandler.
“I think every fat comedian owes him 80 bucks that’s working today,” Rock said.
Farley, whose physical comedy, wild antics and large appetite lent comparisons to another “SNL” alum, John Belushi, died on Dec. 18, 1997, from an accidental overdose of morphine and cocaine. He was 33.
Best known on “SNL” for his characterization of a slovenly motivational speaker named Matt Foley, Farley also drew laughs as an obsessed Chicago Bears football fan and a topless Chippendales dancer.
Born on Feb. 15, 1964, Farley grew up in Madison, Wis. He joined the Second City Theatre troupe before joining “SNL.”
Farley later starred in several movies, including “Black Sheep” (1996), “Beverly Hills Ninja” (1997) and “Wayne’s World” (1992).
A special DVD edition of Farley and Spade’s 1995 hit “Tommy Boy” will be released Tuesday.