Artie Lange Takes Nostalgic Look Back Through The Years –– Check Out Comic's Fondest Memories In 11 Clicks
Oct. 13 2015, Published 8:55 a.m. ET
In celebration of his recent 48th birthday, beloved comic Artie Lange took a fond walk down memory lane, and RadarOnline.com has all the photos for you.
Lange poses on the set of the 1998 film Dirty Work with director Bob Saget and the late, great Jack Warden, who played his illegitimate father in the comedy.
Between his looks, comic chops and fast living, the "Too Fat To Fish" author has drawn plenty of comparisons to the late John Belushi, here sharing an anecdote the SNL legend likely would have appreciated.
Lange poses alongside Warden and the (now newly-svelte) John Goodman. The proud New Jersey native praised the 12 Angry Men star as the "best actor Newark has given the world."
The funnyman horses around with Goodman, who was on the heels of his classic turn as bowler/war veteran Walter Sobchak in the cult favorite, The Big Lebowski.
The former Howard Stern sidekick poses with the late Chris Farley, months prior to the SNL vet's fatal drug overdose at 33 in late 1997. Lange himself has been candid about his own drug demons, including brutal battles with cocaine and heroin.
- Police Report Filed Against Led Zeppelin Bassist John Paul Jones' Security Guard Over Incident With Autograph Seeker
- Prosecutors Fight Boosie Badazz’s ‘Illegal Interrogation’ Claim, Deny He Was Having Diabetes Issue During Questioning After Gun Arrest
- All or Nothing: Milli Vanilli's Fab Morvan Fighting Estranged Wife Over Spousal Support, Date of Separation in Divorce
The fan favorite poses alongside show biz curmudgeon Chevy Chase, who years before, had been embroiled in a fierce battle with Lange's future boss, Howard Stern. Chase got the last laugh on the King of All Media, nabbing an invite to Stern's 2008 wedding, where he delivered a vulgar and crass speech that had attendees blushing.
Lange poses with comedic legend Don Rickles, who famously originated the star's "Baby Gorilla" nickname. Lange has past said that it was impossible to keep a straight face as Rickles ad-libbed in roasting him during a scene in Dirty Work.
In his best-selling 2008 book "Too Fat To Fish," Lange recalled how, as a cast member on MADtv, he left the set in full pig regalia to purchase cocaine.
The comic's first big break came with his casting on the sketch show, where he received unconditional support from the show's producer, the legendary Quincy Jones.
Prior to that, he was part of a New York-based comedy troupe called Live on Tape, one of his first steps toward fame after quitting a job as a longshoreman to pursue his dreams in comedy.
Lange poses for his prom in this 30-year-old photo, noting that his date was also his partner-in-crime for a bank robbery fiasco he detailed in his book.