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Artie Lange Says Howard Stern Was Like A Dysfunctional 'Father Figure' To Him

Drug addict comic Artie Lange has revealed that Howard Stern was like a dysfunctional "father figure’ to him. Speaking on The Dopey: The Dark Comedy Of Drug Addiction podcast, the radio sidekick, 50, lifted the lid on his relationship with the famed shock jock.

Lange has feuded with Stern and recently stunned fans by threatening Stern, 63, with releasing his full number unless the host would provide him with $2,500!

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But in the podcast, Lange has conceded his addiction played a huge part in wrecking their complicated friendship.

He said, “Howard did not understand addiction. He gave me the best job ever and he is a genius. “When I left the show he missed me. He did think of me as a son sort of thing. “I was on the show for over 8 years but towards the end I was a completed addict.

“And at the end he cut me off like a son and dad kind of thing and I understand that.” Lange revealed that he was earning $4 million a year from The Howard Stern Show and all the lucrative deals it landed him.

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However, despite the fame and success, Lange's life was spiraling out of control because of an addiction to both cocaine and heroin.

After he controversially left Stern’s show following a self-inflicted stabbing incident, which also saw him drink Clorox, he spent time in a psych ward and rehab while also staying with his mother for a long period. And he credits both her and his sister for saving his life. “My mother and my sister really saved me and have seen me at my highest and lowest points,” he added.