Chris Farley is an example of an SNL alum who made a huge impact in the five seasons he was on. Whether he was dancing shirtless with Patrick Swayze or delivering one of his funniest sketch comedy quotes about his “van down by the river,” he always knew how to make an audience laugh. However, considering his untimely death in 1997, SNL 50 writer Dan Bulla got real about why mentions of the Tommy Boy actor these days always “steer” toward the emotional (especially when Adam Sandler is involved).
Chris Farley was a Hollywood star who never made it to 40, and we’ll always wonder what would have become of the comedic actor if he were still alive. If he were able to come on the 50th Anniversary Special with his other SNL alums, I know he would have stolen the show the moment he stepped on stage. During SNL 50, they still paid tribute to him, though, and writer Dan Bulla told Vulture that he and Adam Sandler knew how emotional it would be, explaining:
