Arthur Steven Lange Jr. launched his professional trajectory in 1987 at The Improv in Manhattan, marking the start of a multi-faceted career as a comedian, actor, and radio host. Raised in New Jersey, he navigated early struggles, including personal financial crises and manual labor, before achieving national prominence through television appearances and his high-profile work on long-running radio programs.
Early Development and Setbacks
Born in Livingston, New Jersey, in 1967, Lange attended Union High School where he played baseball before moving on to Seton Hall University. His academic pursuits were brief. After his father became a quadriplegic following a workplace accident, Lange supported his family by working as a longshoreman at Port Newark and as a taxi driver in New York City. His initial comedy debut in 1987 yielded poor results, leading him to wait four years before committing to the industry full-time.
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In 1995, Lange moved to Los Angeles to join the inaugural cast of the Fox sketch series Mad TV. Following his tenure there, he appeared in the 1998 film Dirty Work, directed by Norm Macdonald, which served as a catalyst for various acting roles. By 2001, he had returned to his home state to join The Howard Stern Show, a position that defined his public profile for the remainder of the decade. During this period, he expanded his creative output by producing and starring in the 2006 film Artie Lange's Beer League and publishing his first bestseller, Too Fat to Fish.
Multimedia Ventures and Public Challenges
The subsequent years involved several shifts in media platforms, including the transition to podcasting and the release of further literary works such as Crash and Burn and Wanna Bet?. His career remained subject to external pressures and personal transitions, marked by periods of intensive broadcast work followed by intentional hiatuses. Throughout these fluctuations, he maintained a presence in the industry through projects like the HBO series Crashing and his independent podcasting efforts, including Artie Lange's Halfway House.
Fast facts
- Born: 1967, Livingston, New Jersey
- Citizenship: United States
- Education: Union High School, Seton Hall University
- Early occupation: Longshoreman at Port Newark
- Notable TV work: Mad TV (1995–1997)
- Radio association: The Howard Stern Show (2001–2009)
- Best-selling book: Too Fat to Fish (2008)
- Primary occupations: Actor, screenwriter, comedian
Questions readers ask
What was Artie Lange's first television role?
He was an original cast member on the Fox sketch comedy series Mad TV from 1995 to 1997.
Did Artie Lange write any books?
Yes, he authored three books: Too Fat to Fish (2008), Crash and Burn (2013), and Wanna Bet? (2018).
Achievements
- Educated at Seton Hall University, Union High School and Connecticut School of Broadcasting
- Worked as screenwriter, television actor and writer
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