Artie Lange

Born Arthur Steven Lange Jr. on October 11, 1967, in Livingston, New Jersey, Artie Lange grew up in Union Township. His early life was marked by family challenges, including his father becoming a quadriplegic after a fall in 1985. This event led Lange to put aside college plans and take on various jobs, including clerk, laborer, and taxi driver, to support his family. After his father’s death in 1990, Lange decided to pursue comedy, performing his first gig at New York’s Improv in Hell’s Kitchen. He initially struggled but later committed to stand-up full-time in 1992, gaining experience on the New York City club circuit.

Lange’s career took a significant turn in 1995 when he was cast as an original member of Fox’s sketch comedy series “Mad TV.” Despite facing personal struggles, including substance abuse that led to his departure and subsequent rehabilitation in 1997, he made a strong return to comedy. His talent was recognized by Norm Macdonald, who cast him in the film “Dirty Work” (1998) and later in the ABC sitcom “Norm” (1999). A pivotal moment came in 2001 when he joined “The Howard Stern Radio Show,” where his humor and relatable persona resonated with a national audience, leading to increased prominence and opportunities in film and television.

Throughout his career, Lange has released several comedy specials, including “It’s the Whiskey Talkin'” (2004) and “Artie Lange: Jack and Coke” (2009). He co-wrote, produced, and starred in the film “Artie Lange’s Beer League” (2006) and authored two New York Times best-selling books, “Too Fat to Fish” (2008) and “Crash and Burn” (2013). More recently, he has appeared in the HBO series “Crashing” (2017–2019) and hosted various podcasts, continuing to engage audiences with his unique comedic style.