Graduated from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island.
Frequently casts sports athletes (Cam Neely, Roger Clemens, Brett Favre) in his films.
Frequently cast Herbie Flynn, Richard Jenkins, and friends and family as well as residents from Rhode Island.
Brother-in-law of actor Zen Gesner.
Brother of actress Cynthia Farrelly Gesner.
In most of the films he and his brother directed, they often show normal people as stupid morons (Dumb and Dumber) while they show handicapped people as normal and gifted (Stuck on You, Shallow Hal, Me Myself and Irene.)
Originally studied to get his master's degree at UMass-Amherst, but soon transferred to Columbia University where he graduated with a master's in creative writing.
Worked as a waiter in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Book: Outside Providence
Has a daughter named Apple
Graduated from Kent School. The same school Seth MacFarlane and Ted Danson graduated from.