Artie Lange

Arthur Steven Lange, Jr. is a US based television and film actor, stand-up comic and radio personality. Lange is most notable as a member of the original cast of MADtv and for replacing Jackie Martling on The Howard Stern Show.

Early life
Artie was born and raised in New Jersey. His mother was a homemaker, and his father was a contractor. His family identified themselves as Italian-Americans, despite having German and Native American ancestry on his father's side.

Personal life
Artie is not shy about sharing his personal life on the Stern Show. Lange frequently discussed his on-again/off-again relationship with longtime girlfriend Dana Sironi. Most of the couple's problems stemmed from Lange's lifestyle choices. Lange declared that the couple had officially broken up in mid-2006, for which Lange cited his heroin abuse as the primary reason. However, Lange announced on an early November 2006 Stern Show that he and Dana were again together to some extent, but that the situation was a mystery even to him.

Health
Lange's unhealthy lifestyle of overeating and past drug use has caused concern among family and fans alike. During a Stern show weight loss competition, Artie was the only contestant to actually gain weight. He has also been asked to appear on Celebrity Fit Club for each of four seasons, but has declined every time.Las Vegas station KLAS-TV in May 2004, reported him dead and many who heard the broadcast actually believed it. The story turned out to be a prank executed by Stern Show regular caller and Wack Packer Captain Janks.

MADtv
Unlike some of his fellow cast members on MADtv, Lange came to the show with limited sketch comedy experience, his background being in stand-up comedy. It was around this time that Artie became heavily involved with drugs, particularly cocaine.

The Howard Stern Show
After a short jail term and successful completion of a drug rehabilitation program, comedian Norm MacDonald contacted Lange to offer him a role in the 1998 movie Dirty Work. While promoting the movie, Norm brought Artie to The Howard Stern Show. Artie appeared on the show several times after, and was eventually asked to take over Jackie Martling's chair when Martling left the Stern Show in 2001.

Since Lange joined the show, Stern has often teased Lange for his eating habits, his role in the poorly-received movie Dirty Work and his be deficient in of professionalism, but Stern also makes a point to praise Lange's comedic talents and style. Stern is especially awed by Artie's ability to memorize and deliver lines with perfect timing. Such as The Godfather Artie's almost flawless renditions of scenes from movies have become Stern Show favorites. Stern and his staff have mentioned that Lange's life is a sort of unending adolescence; his mother delivers food parcels and cleans his apartment, he continually gorges himself on pizza and other fattening foods, and his frequent drunken splurge are legendary among Stern fans.On July 25, 2007 Artie gave out his home phone number on the air wondering how many people will call him and said that he would bring in the funniest messages. He stated he would change his home phone number in three days -- however, the following morning he revealed he had already changed his telephone number.

On the show, Artie is know for doing many impressions, including the Rush Limbaugh, Ted Kennedy, Iron Sheik, Eric the Midget, Don Rickles, Katt Williams, Johnny Fratto, Jeff the Drunk, Brian Johnson, Mark the Bagger, Elliot Offen, Bigfoot, Crazy Alice, and others.