Artie Lange, the stand-up comic and actor known for his raw, unfiltered humor, carved out a place in comedy history as one of those brutally honest performers who didn’t just joke about life’s messiness—he lived it. Artie Lange was part of a long line of self-deprecating comedians whose on-stage chaos often mirrored their turbulent personal lives. Much like Chris Farley, Sam Kinison, and John Belushi before him, Artie Lange battled severe addictions to drugs and alcohol—struggles that cost him opportunities, took a toll on his health, and ultimately led to a harrowing suicide attempt.
Early in his career, Artie Lange showed immense promise. As a founding cast member of “MADtv” (Fox, 1995–2009), he seemed poised for major success in television comedy. But things took a dark turn after a failed intervention by fellow cast members spiraled into legal trouble—resulting in an arrest, jail time, rehab, and eventually, Artie Lange being let go from the show. Still, he wasn’t without allies. He formed a strong comedic bond with Norm MacDonald, co-starring with him in the cult favorite “Dirty Work” (1998) and later joining him on the short-lived but memorable sitcom “The Norm Show” (ABC, 1999–2001).
By 2001, Artie Lange made a pivotal shift to radio, stepping into the role previously held by Jackie Martling on “The Howard Stern Show.” During this era, Artie Lange not only became a fan favorite but also expanded his creative reach—writing, producing, and starring in the indie comedy “Artie Lange’s Beer League” (2006). Then came 2008, when Artie Lange released his memoir, Too Fat to Fish, which quickly became a bestseller and gave fans a candid, often painful look into his life.
But even as his career saw ups and downs, Artie Lange’s inner struggles persisted. In early 2010, he hit rock bottom with a near-fatal suicide attempt—an event that shocked fans and marked a turning point. Yet, in true Artie Lange fashion, he fought his way back. By 2011, he returned to the airwaves as one half of “The Nick and Artie Show,” a sports talk program that allowed him to reconnect with audiences.
Throughout it all, Artie Lange remained a figure whose real-life pain and dark humor were inseparable. His comedy wasn’t just performance—it was confession. And while Artie Lange’s demons threatened to consume him, they also fueled a legacy defined by honesty, resilience, and an unrelenting will to keep going, even when the odds were stacked against him.
When it comes to Artie Lange’s film career, one title really stands out as his highest rated movie — Beer League from 2006. Yeah, that’s definitely the one fans seem to enjoy the most. On the flip side, Artie Lange also had a project come out the same year that didn’t fare quite as well with audiences or critics: Waltzing Anna, also released in 2006, ended up being his lowest rated film. It’s kind of interesting that both his peak and low point happened in the same year. Artie Lange clearly had a range, but Beer League remains the favorite among his movies. So if you’re curious about Artie Lange’s work, that’s probably the best place to start.