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Christopher Crosby Farley was born on February 15, 1964, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Mary Anne (Crosby) and Thomas Farley, who owned an oil company. Among his siblings are actors Kevin P. Farley and John Farley. He was of Irish heritage. Farley studied theatre and communications on Marquette University. After finishing university he was in the cast of the Second City Theatre, where he was discovered by the producer of the great comedy show Saturday Night Live (1975), Lorne Michaels. Farley worked on Saturday Night Live (1975) for five years during which he appeared in movies like Wayne's World (1992), Coneheads (1993), Billy Madison (1995) and finally Tommy Boy (1995), with his comic partner and SNL cast member David Spade. The duo later made one more movie called Black Sheep (1996). From that time on, Farley was one of the big comedy stars, and his fame was growing and growing.

After some more time, he made another "lone" movie, Beverly Hills Ninja (1997), which featured former SNL member Chris Rock. Farley was made even more famous, but with his growing fame, his problems grew bigger as well; he didn't want to be the "fat guy who falls down" any longer. Farley had several other problems, too, with alcohol and drug dependency. On December 18th, 1997, he died from a heroin (opiate) and cocaine overdose in his apartment in Chicago, where his body was found by his brother John the next day. Farley's weight of 296 pounds was a contributing factor in his death, but according to his autopsy the alcohol, marijuana and Prozac that was also found in his body, were not. Less than two months prior to his death, he had appeared alongside Chevy Chase on what would be Farley's only SNL show as host. Not unlike his idol John Belushi, he was credited for one more appearance after having left SNL and died at age 33. His death cause was also the same. In the year after Farley's departing, the movie Almost Heroes (1998), where he plays the leading role alongside Matthew Perry was released. He also makes cameo appearances in Dirty Work (1998)

Joe Lombardi was born on 24 June 1923. He was an editor, known for Courage Under Fire (1996), The Mosquito Coast (1986) and Raw Deal (1986). He died on 18 December 1997 in London, England, UK.

Robert Cunningham was born on 9 April 1921 in Vienna, Austria. He was an actor, known for The Wild Geese (1978), Earthquake (1974) and Brass Target (1978). He died on 18 December 1997 in San Francisco, California, USA.

Wayne Hudgins was born on 19 June 1950 in Amarillo, Texas, USA. He was an editor and actor, known for Will Rogers: Look Back in Laughter (1987), Cinderella Liberty (1973) and As the World Turns (1956). He died on 18 December 1997 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Robert B. Churchill was born on 8 July 1911 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for Born to Speed (1947), Lighthouse (1947) and The Fighting Vigilantes (1947). He died on 18 December 1997 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Carolyn H. Camp was born on 7 July 1939 in Mississippi, USA. She was a producer and assistant director, known for Benji (1974), Benji the Hunted (1987) and Benji, Zax & the Alien Prince (1983). She was married to Joe Camp. She died on 18 December 1997 in Chatham County, North Carolina, USA.

Ragnar Thell was born on 3 June 1922 in Helsingborg, Sweden. He was an actor, known for Nya Dagbladet (1985), Hedebyborna (1978) and Tre kärlekar (1989). He died on 18 December 1997 in Sweden.

Faustina Camacho was born in 1962 in Andalucía, Spain. She was an actress, known for Mamá es boba (1997), Scarred Soul (1998) and Destiempo (1997). She died on 18 December 1997 in Madrid, Spain.

Günther Schwerkolt was born on 12 March 1907. He was an actor and composer, known for Wir Kellerkinder (1960), Achte mir auf Gakeki (1935) and Pension Spreewitz (1964). He died on 18 December 1997 in Berlin, Germany.

Achim Schmidtchen was born on 25 April 1928 in Wurgwitz, Freital, Saxony, Germany. He was an actor, known for Karl May (1992), Streng geheim (1963) and Berlin um die Ecke (1965). He was married to Regina Jeske. He died on 18 December 1997 in Dresden, Saxony, Germany.