Guide Note
Comedian Artie Lange was an original cast member of the MADtv sketch comedy series and became a regular on The Howard Stern Show when he replaced Jackie Martling in 2001. In August of 2008, Lange canceled some stand-up performances and his appearance on the Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget in order to check himself into an outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.
Fast Facts
- Full name: Arthur Steven Lange, Jr.
- Born: October 11, 1967
- Birthplace: Union, New Jersey
- One-quarter Native American
- Inspired by comedian John Belushi
- Arrested for attempted bank robbery shortly after high school
- Maintains robbery attempt was a misunderstanding
- Completed four months at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting
- MADtv impersonations: From Rush Limbaugh to Roseanne Barr
- Has struggled with heroin abuse, weight gain and sleep apnea
Career
Fellow comedian Norm MacDonald gave Lange his first major film role starring with him in 1998's Dirty Work. Lange's most notable film appearance then came in 2006 with Beer League, a raunchy but heartfelt comedy that he also co-wrote and produced. He has also appeared in films such as Old School and the Christmas comedy Elf, both alongside Will Ferrell, and in TV programs like Denis Leary's Rescue Me and HBO's Entourage.
Future prospects
Lange has enjoyed an increasingly successful stand-up comedy career since his time on Stern's show began, and his decidedly un-politically correct schtick also makes him a favorite guest on celebrity roasts.
Categories
