That was the scene today in Madison, Wisconsin, as family, friends and colleagues of ex-Saturday Night Live star Chris Farley gathered at a private wake and funeral for the 33-year-old actor.
Farley, known for his excessive appetites for food, drink and drugs, was found dead last week in his high-rise Chicago apartment. Officials have yet to rule on cause of death. An autopsy is inconclusive pending toxicological tests.
Today in his hometown, SNL alumni Dan Aykroyd, Chris Rock and Al Franken sat in pews at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Roman Catholic church to say good-bye to the burly, boisterous performer.
A program handed out at the service featured a photo of Farley and a poem, "The Clown's Prayer," according to wire reports.
"A lot of tears, a lot of laughter," the "typical Irish fashion" that Farley's brother Tom earlier said the family was using to cope with the sudden loss.
The Farleys urged fans of the star of Tommy Boy and Beverly Hills Ninja to respect their privacy and stay away from the memorial. Private security was on hand to enforce that wish.
Even so, a trio of local teenagers told the Associated Press they managed to win entry into the wake, which actors John Goodman, George Wendt and SNL creator Lorne Michaels also attended.
"It's really a sad scene," said 18-year-old Josh Myers. "All these people who make you laugh on TV, to see 'em crying. It's really different."
Public memorials for Farley are planned for Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.