<P> Matt Foley is a fictional character from the sketch comedy program Saturday Night Live performed by Chris Farley . Foley is a motivational speaker who exhibits characteristics that someone in that position would not typically have: whereas motivational speakers are typically successful and charismatic, Foley is abrasive, clumsy, and down on his luck . The character was popular in its original run and went on to become one of Farley's best - known characters . </P> <P> The character's concept was first created by Bob Odenkirk . Farley had performed the character in other comedy groups before joining the cast of Saturday Night Live . Farley named the character after one of his Marquette University rugby union teammates, who is now a Catholic priest in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights . </P> <P> Matt Foley appeared in eight Saturday Night Live sketches . Each sketch typically started with Foley brought into a specific situation by someone to speak to a group . In addition to his disheveled, overweight, and unstylish appearance, he exhibits poor social skills, frequently loses his temper, disparages and insults his audience, wallows in cynicism and self - pity, and presents a negative motivational message . Foley's trademark line is warning his audience that they could end up, like himself, being "35 years old, eating a steady diet of government cheese, thrice divorced, and living in a van down by the river!" In most sketches, whenever a member of his audience announces a personal accomplishment, Foley responds with mockery or belligerence: "Well, la - dee - frickin - da!", "Whoop - dee - frickin - doo!", or a similarly dismissive remark . The sketches usually feature Farley's physical comedy, such as the over-caffeinated Foley gesticulating wildly and leaping around, often breaking furniture . </P> <P> In the character's debut, David Spade and Christina Applegate, who were playing teens supposedly in need of Foley's help, were visibly trying to stifle their laughter . Spade, in particular, spent most of the sketch with his hand covering his face . In the sketch, Farley's portrayal of Foley was so intense that he ended up falling onto the table in front of him, crushing it . The blooper was so popular that Farley turned it into one of his best - known routines and one which he would repeat many times, both as Foley and as other characters on SNL and in film during the remainder of his life and career, sometimes injuring himself in the process . </P>

A motivational speaker who slept in a van down by the river