It was easy for comedic actor Chris Farley to plan out his career. You see, very early in his life he’d decided who his role model was. The problem was that the celebrity he chose was a fellow comedian whose disastrous life choices had led to a tragic and early demise. Sadly, Farley seemed destined to repeat every mistake his idol made.

This sunny beach boy just barely survived a friendship with one of the most feared men in American history.

Daredevil Evel Knievel was an irresistible cocktail of bravery, masculinity, and audacity. He certainly had his share of young men as fans, and they looked up to him in a way that went beyond sports—he was truly a hero. All that came tumbling down when Knievel went looking for revenge from a writer threatening to ruin his career.