Artie Lange

Arthur Steven Lange (born October 11, 1967 in Union, New Jersey) is an American television and movie actor, stand up comedian and radio personality. He is ethnically Italian-American, but has considerable Native-American ancestry. Lange took over Jackie Martling's vacated seat on The Howard Stern Show.

Related Topics:
October 11 - 1967 - Union, New Jersey - American - Television - Movie - Actor - Stand up comedian - Italian-American - Native-American - Jackie Martling

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After failing to graduate high school, Lange worked as a longshoreman and held numerous odd jobs until 1995 when he landed a recurring role on FOX's hit sketch comedy MADtv. At that time, Lange used his Chris Farley-esque appearance to gain him the upper hand in gigs. Unfortunately, two years later he was fired.

Related Topics:
High school - Longshoreman - 1995 - FOX's - Sketch comedy - MADtv - Chris Farley

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MADtv staff, upon noticing Lange's apparent tardiness to the set and deteriorating physical appearance, questioned him about his suspected drug use and the possibility of entering rehab. When Lange adamantly refused, MADtv staff contacted the police. After the police arrived, Lange, in the midst of a cocaine binge, fled the scene on foot with the Los Angeles Police Department and MADtv staff in tow. During the chase, Lange ran into a Pavilion's supermarket and threw a cantaloupe at his manager, prompting a call to 911. The chase continued with Lange climbing over fences and running through backyards until he was eventually subdued by a police officer. Lange admitted during interviews on The Howard Stern Show that he did the dumbest thing a person can do: attempting to hit a police officer. After being apprehended by the police, Lange was charged with possession of cocaine, assaulting an officer, and possessing an open alcoholic container in his car, amongst other charges.

Related Topics:
Drug use - Rehab - Police - Cocaine - Los Angeles Police Department - Cantaloupe - 911 - Alcohol

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Legendary jazz producer and songwriter Quincy Jones, an executive producer for MADtv, offered his consolation to Lange and arranged for him to continue on the show for a second season. Lange's sobriety didn't last and he was fired after two seasons.

Related Topics:
Jazz - Quincy Jones

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Following a short jail term and successful completion of a drug rehabilitation program, Lange capitalized on his friendship with Norm MacDonald. Lange appeared in MacDonald's movie Dirty Work (1998) and his ABC sitcom The Norm Show (1999). Lange also appeared in Mystery Men (1999), and The Bachelor (1999) before landing a full-time spot on The Howard Stern Show after Jackie Martling quit the show. In addition to The Howard Stern Show, Lange continues to work in movies and performs stand-up at comedy houses around the United States.

Related Topics:
Norm MacDonald - Dirty Work - ABC - Sitcom - The Norm Show - Mystery Men - United States

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It was discovered on the Howard Stern Show that during Lange's teenage years he had been arrested for attempted bank robbery. Lange stated he was trying to impress a cute bank teller by passing her a fake hold-up note that said he was armed and wanted $50,000. Unfortunately, the note included his name and the teller took it seriously and triggered the silent alarm. Police officers arrested Artie back at his home later that day. Luckily, Lange didn't receive much of a punishment from the courts.

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Lange's life is a sort of terminal adolescence; his mother delivers food parcels and cleans his apartment, he continually gorges himself on pizza and other high-fat foods, and his frequent drunken binges are legendary. The patience and tolerance of his long time girlfriend, Dana, are also legendary. Lange's drink of choice is Jack Daniels with a "splash water," sipped through a straw. During an August, 2004 broadcast of the Howard Stern Show, Lange said he doesn't know what life is for and thinks he might want to die.

Related Topics:
Jack Daniels - 2004

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In early June, 2005, Lange began missing work at the Howard Stern Show, prompting concerns of a possible relapse into the substance abuses that had affected him earlier. Lange confessed he was under considerable stress from shooting a new film and maintaining his daily appearances on the show. At that time, he sought professional help and quit drinking for a few months. In July, 2005 Lange revealed he does not plan to sign a long contract with The Howard Stern Show and Sirius Satellite Radio because he feels there will be opportunities to star in motion pictures and possibly create a television show. During this on-air "outburst", Lange stated he will only do what he wants and has, therefore, stopped seeing a psychiatrist; a decision Lange made only to please Howard Stern. By September of 2005, Lange had returned to drinking, especially at comedy gigs.

Related Topics:
June - 2005 - July - Sirius Satellite Radio - Psychiatrist - Howard Stern

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