Comedian Artie Lange was an original cast member of the MADtv sketch comedy series and became a regular on The Howard Stern Show, when he replaced Jackie Martling, in 2001. Lange was one of the first guests on Joe Buck Live, which debuted on HBO on Monday, June 15, 2009.http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/06/16/2009-06-16_artie_lange_.html His performance gained recognition for getting into an insult match with Buck live on the air, video of which quickly spread over the Internet.

He has battled alcohol and substance abuse throughout his career. According to TMZ, Lange was arrested for suspicion of DUI on July 10, 2009 in New Jersey when his 2009 Nissan Sentra rear-ended a 2004 Pontiac.http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/10/artie-lange-arrested-for-suspicion-of-dui/

On January 7, 2009 The New York Post reported Lange was hospitalized due to self inflicted stab wounds. The magazine reported the comedian stabbed himself nine times in an attempt at committing suicide.http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/stern_sidekick_in_suicide_try_5m9Hwhn1OvpONlzbsiW3oJ

A rep for Lange tells TMZ: "I can confirm that Artie is in the hospital. Artie has chosen to keep all information on this matter between him and his doctor. There will be no further comment."http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/03/artie-lange-hospitalized-howard-stern-show/

UPDATE: 1/7/10 Artie Lange was rushed to the hospital due to suicide attempt

"Lange's frantic mom called 911 Saturday morning after she entered his Hoboken apartment and found the bloodied funnyman, a law-enforcement source said. Lange sustained six "hesitation wounds" and three deep plunges."

http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/stern_sidekick_in_suicide_try_5m9Hwhn1OvpONlzbsiW3oJ http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/stern_sidekick_in_suicide_try_5m9Hwhn1OvpONlzbsiW3oJ

Law enforcement sources reported to TMZ, the "Howard Stern Show" veteran was arrested about 1:30 pm in Toms River after he got into a minor car accident. He had a court day for July 16, 2009.http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/10/artie-lange-arrested-for-suspicion-of-dui/

In August 2008, Lange canceled some stand-up performances and his appearance on the Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget in order to check himself into an outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.New York Post: Rehab for Stern Sidekick (August 6, 2008)

Fellow comedian Norm MacDonald gave Lange his first major film role starring with him in 1998's Dirty Work. Lange's most notable film appearance then came in 2006 with Beer League, a raunchy but heartfelt comedy that he also co-wrote and produced. He has also appeared in films such as Old School and the Christmas comedy Elf, both alongside Will Ferrell, and in TV programs like Denis Leary's Rescue Me and HBO's Entourage.

Lange has enjoyed an increasingly successful stand-up comedy career since his time on Stern's show began, and his decidedly un-politically correct schtick also makes him a favorite guest on celebrity roasts.

• Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• 1967: Born

• 1995-1997: MadTV

• 1998: Dirty Work

• 2001: Joins the cast of The Howard Stern Show

• 1999: The Bachelor

• 2003: Old School

• 2006: Beer League