|
| February 4, 1998 | News | Volume XXIX Number 13 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
By Emily Bohn On December 18, 1997 as most students studied for their exams, comedian Chris Farley died in his Chicago apartment. The media directed their coverage towards Farley’s speculated final days of sex and drugs and fans reminisced over his various works. However, when reporters covered news pertaining Farley’s attendance at Milwaukee’s Marquette Academy, they failed to mention Chris’ semester he spent on the Banks at Mason Gross School of the Arts. Chris Farley majored in Theater and Communications at the Marquette Academy from 1982 to 1986, where he started his acting career. However, Chris thought that spending time in the New York City area could strengthen his education and provide him with opportunities to pursue upon his graduation. Thus, Farley spent one semester, in the spring of 1984 at Mason Gross School of the Arts. Though this semester did not give him enough time to establish his name at Rutgers, there are a few people who remain here that still have memories of the former Saturday Night Live star. Professor Heart of the Theater Arts department at Mason Gross shared with The Medium some fond memories. “What I do remember of Chris is his pratfalls that later became his signature trade on SNL and his movies. Honestly, I thought he would die young, but not from drugs or his weight, but from breaking his back on a table or thing. He just got such a kick out of it, and so did everyone else…that’s just it, he was actually rather quiet but during a serious piece he would just fall and get everyone rolling.” Heart feels that his semester here motivated him so when he returned to Milwaukee, he was convinced to someday work in the New York Area. “He came to Rutgers with a plan, and he executed it. He spent many weekend seeing shows in New York, plays, talk shows, anything, and I think it really helped him find where he wanted to go with his acting.” When asked if the school would honor his life in some way, he responded that there were little records of his time here, “but if the students know of his work, or would like to tribute him in some way, it would be great, splendid. Even though he was only here a semester, it was such a significant part of his life and that shouldn’t be ignored.” While Farley’s spirit may live inside this professor, or linger in Brower Commons where he surely ate a Brower Boiler or two, it also lingers in Clothier Hall. The Housing department reportedly had no documents from the time Farley came here, but it is speculated that he lived on the fifth floor of this residence, before it was restricted to freshmen students. This speculation comes from the interview Farley once gave about his characters on SNL. He said that the first sketch he ever wrote was called “Clothier 50*” about a student who spends his first morning in this dorm room waking up on a floor covered with vomit after spending a night at his first frat party. Unfortunately, the sketch never aired on but it allows us to assume what room he stayed in. When we visited this room, the residents seemed shocked and somewhat elated. The room is now occupied by Greg K., and Dave R., both Rutgers College students of the class of 2001. Greg said he was not a big fan of Farley and did not cry when he heard of his death but he did see his movies and found him to be “a pretty funny guy.” Instead of giving us comments, he shared the news on the phone with a girl in disbelief. Ricardo M., from the neighboring room however, seemed quite excited about living on the floor where Chris Farley once lived. “Wow,”he responded, “do ya want to see my room? Jim Carey lived there!” Since Farley spent his spring semester at RU he did not get to play center on the Rutger’s football team, which he did at the Marquette Academy. Chris Farley’s life and career may be over, but hopefully his legacy at Rutgers will become more known and live on. A memorial? A scholarship? Holiday? Comedy performance about his life? That is up to the Rutgers community to decide. For now, if any freshman see a large funny ghost walking into their dorm at Clothier from a trip to the Grease Trucks, maybe they should look twice.   
Click here for page 2 of News Click here for page 3 of News Back to the main page |