If you are a fan of Ford Motor Company or comedy movies, you might have wondered if Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford, is related to Chris Farley, the late actor and comedian. The answer is yes, they are cousins. Here is everything you need to know about their family ties and careers.
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Who is Jim Farley?
Jim Farley is an American businessman who became the 11th CEO of Ford Motor Company on October 1, 2020. He succeeded Jim Hackett, who retired and became a special advisor. Farley has been with Ford since November 2007, and has held various positions, such as group vice president and general manager of Lexus, president of New Business, Technology and Strategy, executive vice president and president of Global Markets, and CEO and chairman of Ford Europe.
Farley was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to a banker father. He spent his early years there before moving to Greenwich, Connecticut. He attended Portsmouth Abbey School, a college preparatory school in Rhode Island. He graduated from Georgetown University with a BA in economics and computer science, and from the University of California, Los Angeles with an MBA. He is married and has three children.
Farley’s career in automobiles was inspired by his grandfather, who began work at Henry Ford’s River Rouge Plant in 1918. Farley is passionate about cars and racing, and owns several vintage vehicles. He also competes in vintage car races.
In July 2021, Farley was nominated to join the board of directors for Harley-Davidson by the company’s CEO Jochen Zeitz. Zeitz praised Farley’s leadership skills and experience in transforming businesses.
Who was Chris Farley?
Chris Farley was an American actor and comedian who rose to fame as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1995. He was known for his energetic and physical style of comedy, as well as his impersonations of celebrities such as Tom Arnold, Newt Gingrich, Jerry Garcia, and Rush Limbaugh. He also starred in several movies, such as Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, Beverly Hills Ninja, Billy Madison, and Wayne’s World.
Farley was born in Madison, Wisconsin, to a Catholic family. He was the second of five children. He attended Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic school in Madison. He graduated from Marquette University with a degree in communications and theater. He started his career in comedy at the Ark Improv Theatre in Madison, and later joined the Second City Theatre in Chicago.
Farley struggled with obesity, drug addiction, and alcoholism throughout his life. He died of a drug overdose on December 18, 1997 at the age of 33. He was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005.
Jim Farley and Chris Farley are cousins. They share the same paternal grandfather, Thomas John Farley Sr., who had six sons and two daughters. Jim’s father is James Duncan Farley Sr., who is the youngest son of Thomas John Farley Sr. Chris’s father is Thomas John Farley Jr., who is the second son of Thomas John Farley Sr.
Jim Farley has said that he was close to Chris Farley when they were growing up. They spent summers together at their grandparents’ farm in Wisconsin. Jim also said that he admired Chris’s talent and humor.
Jim is not the only cousin of Chris who is famous. Jim also has another cousin named Tripp Tracy, who played hockey at Harvard University before being drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers. Tracy is now the TV and radio color commentator for the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.
Conclusion
Jim Farley and Chris Farley are cousins who have achieved success in different fields. Jim is the CEO of Ford Motor Company and a board member of Harley-Davidson. Chris was an actor and comedian who starred on Saturday Night Live and several movies. They share a common grandfather who worked at Henry Ford’s River Rouge Plant. They also have another cousin who is a hockey commentator for the Carolina Hurricanes.
