Chris Farley was a human cannonball of comedic energy, a performer who combined explosive physicality with a surprising sweetness. He was driven by a desperate need for approval, whether as the motivational speaker Matt Foley who lived in a van down by the river, or as a Chippendales dancer hopeful. Farley committed his entire body to every performance, often to the point of self-destruction. He transitioned to film with hits Tommy Boy and Black Sheep, where his brilliant partnership with David Spade was immortalized. His tragic death at a young age silenced a uniquely gifted comedian whose raw, vulnerable, and uproarious talent is still deeply missed.