In I Am Chris Farley, we’re given a rare glimpse into the life of a legendary comedian. It’s been almost 18 years since Chris Farley passed away and left the world a little sadder for it.

In the world of comedy, few would argue that Farley wasn’t one of the best who ever lived. Already a powerhouse by the time he starred in unforgettable movies like Tommy Boy, Black Sheep and to a slightly lesser extent Beverly Hills Ninja, Farley became a household name from his time on Saturday Night Live. Most of us could spend hours talking about his SNL career and still manage to leave out amazing moments. This is not due to any of them being forgettable but rather because he stole the show every time he was on screen. The Farley sketches we remember are so innumerable because even in an ensemble, he had the ability to often out-shine the likes Adam Sandler, David Spade, Chris Rock and Rob Schneider which, at that time in SNL, was an incredible feat.

Although gone, Chris Farley will never be forgotten and in this documentary we will get to see coworkers, friends, and family share stories, home movies, and early performances. Seeing those who knew him on the verge of tears is sure to provoke more than a few tears when it comes to appreciating what he gave the world, what was lost when he died, and the circumstances that lead him down that tragic path.

On a more personal note, growing up as a fairly bigger person whom always wanted to be the funniest kid around, Farley was an inspiration. Being able to see a bigger guy who could be as funny and as popular as the next guy — if not more so — while still being animated, physical and endearing was an amazing thing to see. To me, he always had the right mix of confidence, self-deprecation, and positivity that both impressed and simultaneously disarmed people that I still think, in a lot of ways, I strive for every single day. In my opinion there is no better example of this mixture than this Bennet “Air Quotes” Brauer sketch from SNL that even with the technical difficulties – and perhaps especially BECAUSE of them – allowed Farley to shine and with a little help from some stage hands, literally come out on top.

I Am Chris Farley will undoubtedly cause some tears, but thanks to Chris’ legacy of comedy, there will surely be more than enough laughs.What are your favorite Chris Farley performances? Let us know in the comments below.

HT: BuzzFeed