The 20 most memorable Chris Farley characters

This was the first of the two small roles Farley had in the Wayne's World films and his first big-screen appearance in 1992. In the classic original, he works security outside Alice Cooper's Milwaukee concert. He gives Wayne and Garth some seemingly valuable information, complete with rather forceful hand gestures, about record executive Frank "Mr. Big" Sharp (Frank DiLeo) and where his massive stretch limousine is headed to scout musical talent. Farley's traditionally strong physical comedy is on display even with this very brief appearance.

Thrown into the mix of the hostage situation in this 1994 comedy that features Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, and Farley's pal and Saturday Night Live castmate Adam Sandler, Officer Wilson seems like a pushover amid the madness of the situation. However, after a thug rips off his badge, he shows some impressive improvisational skills to defuse the problem. A year later, Farley would go from small roles like this to one of the biggest comedic film stars of the time. 

Released in June 1998, the often forgotten black comedy Dirty Work, directed by Bob Saget and starring Norm McDonald and Artie Lange, was the second of two films featuring Farley following his December 1997 death. Farley was actually not credited for his role as a gaudy, loud, wannabe-know-it-all. Honestly, it's a disappointing way for his film legacy to end.

Farley returned for the 1993 Wayne's World sequel, this time as the duo's burnout buddy Milton — a long-haired, flannel-wearing, highly intense partygoer who feels "great" mainly because there are "good tunes," "good brew," and "good buddies." Still, he hates his father and his life and wants to "pick a fight." More intense comedy from Farley, who manages to stand out within a mediocre film in what's a little more than a cameo appearance.

With Farley as the co-lead (opposite Matthew Perry), this 1998 comedy western directed by Christopher Guest was his first posthumous release. Sadly, the movie was a commercial and critical flop, and it's often cited as a relatively disappointing final screen appearance in a leading role. Thankfully, his work on Saturday Night Live and other more prominent leading-man movie roles have remained at the forefront of Farley's legacy.

Teamed with Adam Sandler and originally featuring Van Halen's "Beautiful Girls" playing in the background, the two are tasked with housesitting a rather unappealing residence complete with a less-than-desirable pool. That's until the water is turned on, and plenty of hard-bodied, tan gentlemen appear to enjoy plenty of Schmitt's Gay beer. One of the more underrated Farley SNL moments but memorable for the overall imagery of the sketch. 

Some might forget that Farley had an uncredited but hilarious cameo in Adam Sandler's popular Billy Madison from 1995. Farley is a creepy, hot-tempered school bus driver, complete with his long, bushy sideburns and combed-over hair. He certainly does not like being hit in the head with a sandwich but likes stealing them from little kids. He has a thing for Miss Veronica Vaughn (Bridgette Wilson) and adult-size penguins.

Sticking with SNL, Farley was not just limited to actual human characters. His take as the warm weather phenomenon El Niño in a Weather Channel sketch, which also featured Will Ferrell, is another one of Farley's shining but perhaps forgotten moments on the show. Looking more like a professional wrestler, he lets those who don't "habla español" know that El Niño is Spanish for "The Nino." A short but memorably sweet sketch. 

The less-than-spectacular movie version of this classic Saturday Night Live sketch was Farley's second film and most significant screen time up to that point. He plays Ronnie, a lazy, dim-witted mechanic who begins dating Connie Conehead (Michelle Burke), much to her father Beldar's dismay. The two share a romantic meal at Subway and attend Connie's prom, with a sweaty Ronnie complete in his powder-blue tuxedo and getting 55 words of advice from Beldar (Dan Aykroyd).

Another memorable SNL moment from Farley. His interpretive dance to Adam Sandler's "Lunch Lady Land" song added a visual comic element to his buddy's ode to arguably the most important school staff member. By the end of the sketch, Farley, complete with his apron, hairnet, and brown orthopedic shoes and dancing around with various school-lunch staples, had stolen the show. Then again, Farley had no trouble drawing attention to himself, whether intentional or not.

Farley never had a problem dressing up as a woman to draw laughs. As we saw with the Lunch Lady, it was some of Farley's funniest work on SNL. Farley joined buddies David Spade and Adam Sandler as female employees of GAP. They gossiped and complained about folding sweaters and jeans during their lunch break at the mall food court. This was a regular-running sketch at the time, and Farley added more fun to the party.

Known for his frequent use of "air quotes," Bennett Brauer was a regular contributor to the Weekend Update segments on Saturday Night Live. Bennett's charm is that he makes no bones about the fact that he's physically, socially, and intellectually flawed. Perhaps not one of Farley's iconic SNL characters but one worthy of celebrating. If anything, he had the audience laughing without much effort. Farley often used his physical mass to his advantage when it came to his comedy.

Bill Swerski's Super Fans were always a good time when showcased on SNL. These die-hard Bears fans — and coach Mike Ditka, specifically — downed beers, ribs, pork chops, and various encased meats while sporting mustaches, dark glasses, and speaking in the stereotypical Chicago dialect. Todd was all but happy to partake, and there was always a chance for a heart attack. Todd and Co. weren't only big fans of the Bears, they were also willing to show their support for the Bulls, too.

Even before it became fashionable to mock members of the Giuliani family, Farley nailed it when he took on Rudy's son Andrew. It began with impersonating the then-young Andrew's antics during his dad's mayoral inauguration. That still rates as one of Farley's funniest SNL moments, considering he embellished quite a bit. Then there was opening day at the New York Yankees' game when he was hit in the head with multiple foul balls, a bat, and wrestles with David Dinkins.

From 1997 and released 11 months before his death. Farley's character is good-natured (we've heard before) but rather unskilled in martial arts, despite being raised by ninjas after being orphaned as a baby. Of course, Haru means well and ends up in ritzy Beverly Hills to solve a murder. The movie made nearly $38 million but was panned by critics, even if Farley has worthy moments that draw notable laughs.

By 1996, Farley had parlayed his success on Saturday Night Live into a budding career as one of Hollywood's leading funny men. Produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels and directed by Penelope Spheeris, Black Sheep was Farley's second-straight starring role. In this case, he played a likable but bumbling goofball who could be a liability for his brother's gubernatorial campaign in the state of Washington. While the film was popular with Farley's fan base (making more than $32 million), the critical concern was that he was being typecast after that popular movie performance from a year earlier in a similar role we are about to get to. 

Playing himself on this popular SNL sketch, it might actually have been one of Farley's most personal projects during his time on the show. Perhaps mocking his own star-struck nature while interviewing the likes of Jeff Daniels, Martin Scorsese, and, of course, Paul McCartney. He didn't necessarily ask those guests questions but nervously wondered if they remembered certain scenes, performances, or situations. He usually followed up with, "That was awesome." 

Looking back on the famed SNL Chippendales audition between Patrick Swayze's buff Adrian and Farley's lumpy Barney, it's actually pretty bittersweet. Watching the two suggestively dance and share their admiration for the other is hilarious, especially when the point of the joke is Farley's physique. It's one of the funniest sketches in the show's history, but knowing both have passed on makes it even more memorable and worth cherishing. 

The movie and character proved that Farley had what it took to elevate his career from a late-night SNL star to a comedic leading man on the big screen. Tasked with trying to save Callahan Auto Parts from closing following his father's death, academically challenged slacker Tommy, who needed seven years to graduate college, hits the road with co-worker Richard (David Spade) to sell brake pads. From start to finish, the laughs never stop, and Farley delivers an elite performance. We have no proof, but Tommy Boy might be one of the most quoted movies of all time.

Tommy Callahan is among the funniest film characters of all time, but when it comes to iconic Chris Farley moments, Matt Foley stands tall above the rest. The 35-year-old motivational speaker is intense, to put it mildly. He's in your face, sweaty, and severely unhinged. A former convict and mall Santa who claims he has turned his life around but "lives in a van down by the river." The brainchild of Bob Odenkirk, when he starred with Farley at The Second City comedy troupe in Chicago, Matt Foley is simply unforgettable and perhaps the signature moment of Farley's comedic legacy.