Chris Farley would have turned 60 on February 15th, 2024. For those of us who witnessed his comedic heyday in the 90s, he’s left a gaping hole in comedy ever since. In his honor, let me tell you the inside story of Chris Farley and Tommy Boy.
Did you know that Lorne Michaels originally gave David Spade a bit part in Tommy Boy?
And that Matthew McConaughey almost played his brother?
And that the movie was almost named Billy The 3rd – A Midwestern.
If your brain doesn’t have a hard candy shell on it, let’s begin:
1/ It’s 1994. Saturday Night Live has a mega star on their hands: Farley
He steals every skit he’s in.
He’s imitated on college campuses.
He’s so good his cast mates can’t keep a straight face while he performs…
He’s creating legendary characters weekly…
2/ On the big screen, Farley is racking up cameos and small parts in his SNL pal’s movies…
He’s Ronnie in Coneheads.
Wilson in Sandler’s Airheads.
He’s an iconic bus driver in Billy Madison (more on this later)…
3/ After a half-dozen big screen credits, it’s time for Farley to get his own starring role.
Lorne Michaels comes up with the concept…
But the film focuses on two brothers…
One of them played by Chris Farley
And the other played by Rob Lowe.
But there are two problems…
4/ Problem #1 is that Rob Lowe never officially signed on for the movie…
Problem #2 is the director of the movie, Peter Segal, wanted the movie to be about Farley & Spade’s friendship…
So they start filming… And auditioning for Lowe’s part.
McConaughey almost gets it…
5/ Ultimately Lowe joins the cast… and has to remain uncredited for contract reasons.
But the new storyline poses a new crisis:
There’s no script.
Segal told Film School Rejects they began shooting with only 66 pages written.
Half a movie focused on Farley & Spade.
Also…
6/ The script had a ridiculous title:
Billy the 3rd: A Midwestern
Fortunately, Farley’s SNL buddy, Sandler, already had a movie in production with Billy in the title:
Billy Madison
You can’t have 2 SNL movies coming out with Billy in the title.
And “Tommy Boy” was born…
7/ They rewrite the script and improvise as they go…
Adding in classic line after classic line:
“Did you eat paint chips as a kid?”
“Fat guy little coat”
“Tommy want wingy”
“Brothers gotta hug”
And about 159 more…
8/ They’re filming.
They’re writing.
And the supporting actors nail their roles.
Bo Derek is the perfect (10) hot step mom.
Brian Dennehy could be Farley’s dad.
And Dan Aykroyd creates Ray Zalinsky, the Callahan family foil…
9/ Tommy Boy hits theaters March ’95.
It’s #1 at the box office ($8 million)
Takes in $33 million total.
It makes money, but nothing special. Yet.
Also, critics crush it.
In an all-time whiff, Roger Ebert says:
“No one is funny in Tommy Boy. There are no memorable lines…
10/ But…
When Tommy Boy comes out on VHS it catches fire
Plays nonstop in dorms, frat houses and dude’s rooms everywhere…
Hits Top 10 in VHS sales for Paramount.
All Time
Holy Schnikes!
And that’s the inside story of Chris Farley and Tommy Boy.
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