Why Lorne Michaels Would Allegedly Ban Chris Farley From ‘SNL’ For “Weeks at a Time”

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While Chris Farley was performing on Saturday Night Live, it’s said that creator Lorne Michaels temporarily prohibited him from appearing for extended periods, in an attempt to assist him in overcoming his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse.

In a recent interview with Dax Shepard on his podcast “Armchair Expert”, author Susan Morrison discussed how Lorne Michaels, the creator of Saturday Night Live, tightened the rules regarding cast members’ alcohol and drug use after the tragic death of John Belushi in 1982 due to an overdose.

When Belushi passed away, it affected him deeply,” she elaborated. “I believe he realized that our laissez-faire attitude, which allowed people to work at their own pace, might not have been the right approach. We’re more than just individuals; we’re a community, and we need to care for each other.

Later on, approximately ten years after Chris Farley first appeared, it was evident that he struggled with addiction problems,” Morrison explained, further mentioning that Michaels allegedly would frequently discuss his issues with alcohol and drugs by summoning Farley to his office for such conversations.

In simpler terms, she mentioned that Bob Odenkirk, who wrote for Saturday Night Live from 1987 to 1991, shared with her that Farley would eagerly go to Michael’s office, even though those visits were typically associated with challenging discussions.

Morrison remembered feeling an unusual mix – similar to being called into the principal’s office while also facing punishment. Lorne had significantly altered his management style; if Farley was too intoxicated, he would exclude him from the show for extended periods. He even sent him to strict rehabilitation centers. However, these measures didn’t seem to have a lasting impact on Farley.

Farley, who was a castmember on SNL from 1990 to 1995, died of a drug overdose in 1997. 

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2025-05-04 23:55