David Spade

David Wayne Spade (born July 22, 1964) is an American stand-up comedian, actor and podcaster. His comedic style, in both his stand-up material and acting roles, relies heavily on sarcasm and self-deprecation. For his roles on television, Spade has received nominations for four Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2003, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

After several years as a stand-up comedian, Spade rose to prominence as a writer and cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1996. He played Dennis Finch in the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me! (1997–2003) for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He later acted in the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules (2004–2005) and the CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement (2007–2013). He hosted the Comedy Central late-night talk show Lights Out with David Spade (2019–2020).

On film, he took leading roles in Tommy Boy (1995), Black Sheep (1996), Senseless (1998), Joe Dirt (2001), Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003), The Do-Over (2016), and The Wrong Missy (2020) with supporting roles in The Benchwarmers (2006), Grown Ups (2010), its 2013 sequel, and The Ridiculous 6 (2015). He voiced Ranger Frank in The Rugrats Movie (1998), Kuzco in Disney's The Emperor's New Groove (2000) and Kronk's New Groove (2005), and Griffin the Invisible Man in the Hotel Transylvania film series (2012–2022).

Since 2022, Spade has hosted the podcast Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey. He hosted the Fox game show Snake Oil (2023).

Early life

Spade was born on July 22, 1964, in Birmingham, Michigan, to Judith J. (née Meek), a writer and magazine editor, and Wayne M. "Sam" Spade, a sales representative. His older brothers are Bryan and Andy Spade. The latter is an entrepreneur who, together with David's sister-in-law Kate Spade, co-founded the designer brand Kate Spade New York.

Spade and his family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, when he was four years old. His parents divorced soon thereafter, and he and his brothers were raised for the most part by their mother, in relative poverty.

Spade attended Saguaro High School and later Scottsdale Community College before transferring to Arizona State University and dropping out shortly thereafter since he was making a decent living doing stand-up. He also was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Spade performed standup at the university's long-running sketch comedy show, Farce Side Comedy Hour, on numerous occasions. In the mid-1980s he also did stand-up in the Monday night comedy show at Greasy Tony's Pizza in Tempe, Arizona.

Career 1987–1997: Early work and Saturday Night Live Spade began performing stand-up comedy after dropping out of college. After being spotted by a talent agent while performing at The Improv in Los Angeles he was cast in the 1987 film Police Academy 4. With the help of friend and fellow comedian Dennis Miller, he joined Saturday Night Live in 1990.

After the major cast overhaul following the 1994–1995 season, Spade agreed to remain on the show for the 1995–96 season to serve as a bridge between the former cast and new cast members Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon, and Cheri Oteri. During this season, Spade was given a weekly segment called "Spade in America" which was a spin-off of his "Hollywood Minute" and "Weekend Update" commentaries. On December 9, 1995, Spade revived "Hollywood Minute" inside one of his "Spade in America" segments; Spade joked, "Look, children, it's a falling star. Make a wish!" next to a picture of former Saturday Night Live cast member Eddie Murphy. The one-liner referred to Murphy's lack of recent box office success, especially the bomb Vampire in Brooklyn. The quip made Murphy turn against both Spade and SNL for several years afterward. Spade wrote in his 2015 memoir that he received an angry phone call from Murphy two days later at the SNL offices; the two did not reconcile until a chance meeting in 2011. Spade left SNL in 1996. He returned to host an episode in 1998 and another in 2005.

Spade starred with fellow Saturday Night Live cast member Chris Farley in two buddy comedy films, Tommy Boy (1995) and Black Sheep (1996), both of which were distributed by Paramount Pictures. The two were planning a third film together, but Farley died of a drug overdose in 1997 at the age of 33 and thus it was cancelled. When Spade declined to attend Farley's funeral, rumors abounded that there had been a falling out between the two. Spade stated that their friendship had been under some tension, partly because of Farley's drug problem and reckless lifestyle, which Spade admittedly could not keep up with, and had to distance himself out of self-preservation. However, it never escalated to ill will, and that the reason he did not attend the funeral was simply because he could not handle it emotionally.

1997–2018: Sitcom success and film roles Although he received several offers to star in his own TV shows, he turned them down and joined the ensemble cast of Steven Levitan's office sitcom Just Shoot Me!, opposite Laura San Giacomo and George Segal, which ran for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003. He played a sarcastic receptionist, Dennis Finch. In 1998, Spade appeared with Marlon Wayans in the buddy comedy film Senseless and voiced Ranger Frank in The Rugrats Movie. In 2000, he provided the voice of Kuzco in Disney's buddy comedy film, The Emperor's New Groove (2000) and would later reprise the role in its direct-to-video sequel Kronk's New Groove (2005).

While appearing on Just Shoot Me, Spade had his first solo starring role as the title character in the 2001 film Joe Dirt, which was a modest box office success. The film was co-written by Spade and Fred Wolf. Spade starred again in the 2003 film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, again co-written by Spade and Wolf. These were the first of many films in which Spade has appeared that were produced by another Saturday Night Live castmate, Adam Sandler. Most notable among these are the films Grown Ups (2010) and Grown Ups 2 (2013), both of which included Spade and Sandler among the lead roles, and both of which were major box office hits. Other collaborations with Sandler include Grandma's Boy (2006), The Benchwarmers (2006), I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), Jack & Jill (2011), Joe Dirt 2 (2015), The Ridiculous 6 (2015), The Do-Over (2016), The Wrong Missy (2020), as well as voicing Griffin the Invisible Man in the Hotel Transylvania film series (2012–2022).

Spade hosted both the Teen Choice Awards and SpikeTV's Video Game Awards in 2003. He voiced characters on several episodes of Beavis and Butt-Head and produced his own TV series Sammy in 2000. In 2004, he joined the cast of 8 Simple Rules, following the death of the sitcom's star, John Ritter, for the show's third and final season. He hosted the Comedy Central TV show The Showbiz Show with David Spade for three seasons, from September 2005 to October 2007. On the show, Spade made fun of Hollywood and celebrities in a manner similar to his old "Hollywood Minute" segment on SNL.

In the 2006 video game The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning, Spade provided the voice of Spyro's dragonfly companion, Sparx. From 2007 to 2013, he starred as Russell Dunbar in the ensemble CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement. In 2010, he worked with TBS on a pilot for an animated series based on Joe Dirt, but it was eventually dropped.

In 2014, Spade had a guest role on an episode of ABC sitcom The Goldbergs (on which George Segal, his former Just Shoot Me co-star, has a major role as "Pops", the protagonist's grandfather). The end credits featured an interaction between Pops and Spade's character. In 2018, Spade appeared in his first major dramatic role in the movie Warning Shot co-starring Bruce Dern and James Earl Jones, with Spade playing the dangerous grandson of a powerful business tycoon (Dern).

2019–present: Late-night talk show and podcast In 2019, he started hosting a new late-night show called Lights Out with David Spade on Comedy Central. The television spot was right after The Daily Show in the former slot inhabited by The Colbert Report, The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore and The Opposition with Jordan Klepper. As the production was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, Comedy Central announced the show would not return to the channel once production can resume, but is instead being shopped around to a third-party broadcaster.

In August 2020, Spade guest hosted two episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live! while Kimmel took a summer vacation. In 2022, Spade began co-hosting the Fly on the Wall podcast with fellow Saturday Night Live alum Dana Carvey. Guests include former cast members and hosts of SNL. In 2024, the Superfly video podcast (a spinoff of Fly on the Wall) co-hosted by Spade and Carvey was launched. On April 18, 2023, it was announced that Spade would host Snake Oil, a new game show broadcast by Fox.

Personal life Spade has dated numerous actresses and celebrities, including Heather Locklear, Lara Flynn Boyle, Julie Bowen, Teri Hatcher, and Naya Rivera. In 2017, E! called him "a bachelor-era George Clooney of the comedy world". He and 2005 Playboy Playmate Jillian Grace have a daughter together, Harper.

On November 29, 2000, Spade was attacked by his assistant, David Warren "Skippy" Malloy, while he was sleeping. Malloy used a stun gun on Spade after breaking into his home in the early morning. In an interview with Howard Stern, Spade stated that he managed to get away from the Malloy, run to his bedroom, grab his gun and defend himself by locking himself in a bathroom armed with the shotgun. Malloy pleaded guilty and avoided jail time on condition that he seek counseling for drug and psychological problems. He subsequently received five years' probation, was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from Spade, and was required by the court to perform 480 hours of community service.

Spade primarily resides in Beverly Hills, California, although he also owns residences in Hollywood Hills and West Hollywood. His Beverly Hills house was burglarized in June 2017.

Philanthropy In December 2005, Spade donated $100,000 to the Phoenix Police Department to buy 300 firearms, including 50 AR-15 rifles for its patrol officers. Spade also donated $200,000 to the Oklahoma tornado relief program on May 20, 2013, $100,000 toward the ALS ice bucket challenge in 2014, and $100,000 to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in June 2018 following the suicide of his sister-in-law Kate Spade, a fashion designer.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1987 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol Kyle 1992 Light Sleeper Theological Cokehead 1993 Coneheads Eli Turnbull 1994 Reality Bites The "Wienerschnitzel" Manager Uncredited PCU Rand McPherson 1995 Tommy Boy Richard Hayden 1996 Black Sheep Steven "Steve" Dodds A Very Brady Sequel Sergio Uncredited 1997 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag Ernest "Ernie" Lipscomb 1998 Senseless Scott Thorpe The Rugrats Movie Ranger Franklin Voice only 1999 Lost & Found Dylan Ramsey Also writer 2000 Loser Video Store Clerk Uncredited The Emperor's New Groove Emperor Kuzco Voice only 2001 Joe Dirt Joseph "Joe" Dirt Also writer 2003 Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Dickie Roberts 2005 Racing Stripes Scuzz Voice only Lil' Pimp Principal Nixon Voice only; direct-to-DVD Kronk's New Groove Emperor Kuzco 2006 Grandma's Boy Shiloh The Benchwarmers Richie Goodman 2007 I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry Transvestite Groupie Cameo 2010 Grown Ups Marcus Higgins 2011 Jack & Jill Monica 2012 Hotel Transylvania Griffin the Invisible Man Voice only 2013 Jungle Master Boss Cain Snowflake, the White Gorilla Aliur Voice only: English language dub Grown Ups 2 Marcus Higgins 2015 Space Breakout Xanor Voice only Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser Joseph "Joe" Dirt Also writer/executive producer I Am Chris Farley Himself Documentary Hotel Transylvania 2 Griffin the Invisible Man Voice only The Ridiculous 6 General Custer 2016 The Do-Over Charlie McMillian 2017 Mad Families Johnny Jon-John Also writer Sandy Wexler Himself 2018 Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation Griffin the Invisible Man Voice only Father of the Year Wayne Warning Shot Bobby 2020 The Wrong Missy Tim Morris 2022 Hotel Transylvania: Transformania Griffin the Invisible Man Voice only 2023 Once Upon a Studio Emperor Kuzco Short film, voice only (archival audio) 2026 Outcome Buddy Busboys Markie TBA Grown Ups 3 Marcus Higgins Filming

Television

1988 The Facts Of Life Scott Episode: "Big Apple Blues" 1989 Baywatch B. J. Episode: "Second Wave"

ALF Larry Slotkin Episode: "Make 'em Laugh" Monsters Teddy Episode: "Small Blessings" Born To Be Mild Stage Assistant Uncredited; Television film 1990–1996 Saturday Night Live Various roles 104 episodes; also writer 1992, 1998 The Larry Sanders Show Himself 2 episodes 1993–1995 Beavis and Butt-Head Mr. Manners / Mr. Candy / Ticket Attendant Voices; 3 episodes 1997–2003 Just Shoot Me! Dennis Finch 149 episodes 1998, 2005 Saturday Night Live Himself (host) Episode: "David Spade/Eagle-Eye Cherry" 2000 Sammy Sammy Blake / James Blake Voice; 13 episodes 2002 Greg the Bunny Himself Episode: "Welcome to Sweetknuckle Junction" 2003 2003 Spike Video Game Awards Himself (host) Television special 2004 Father of the Pride Tommy the Coyote Voice; Episode: "Road Trip" 2004–2005 8 Simple Rules C. J. Barnes 39 episodes 2005–2007 The Showbiz Show with David Spade Himself (host) 39 episodes; also writer and executive producer 2007–2013 Rules of Engagement Russell Dunbar 100 episodes 2009 Curb Your Enthusiasm

Episode: "The Reunion" 2011 Entourage Episode: "The Big Bang" 2012 Hot in Cleveland Christopher Episode: "Blow Outs"

The Spoils of Babylon Talc Munson 2 episodes My Fake Problems Himself Stand-up special The Goldbergs Gus Episode: "Love is a Mixtape"

Real Rob

Episode: "VIP Treatment" Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special Flight Attendant / Himself Television special 2015–2017 Fameless Himself 7 episodes

Crowded Kyle Episode: "RearviewMirror" Inside Amy Schumer Showrunner Episode: "Welcome to the Gun Show" Roadies Harris DeSoto 4 episodes Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe Himself (roastmaster) Television special 2017–2018 Love Steven Hopkins 4 episodes

Jimmy Kimmel Live! Himself (guest host) 1 episode Lady Dynamite Himself Episode: "Kids Have to Dance" The Mayor Ed Gunt 7 episodes 2019–2020 Lights Out with David Spade Himself (host) Also creator, writer and executive producer

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Himself Episode: "Pink and David Spade" Home Movie: The Princess Bride Westley Episode: "Chapter Four: Battle of the Wits" 2020–2021 The Netflix Afterparty Himself (host) 11 episodes

Mr. Mayor Himself Episode: "Brentwood Trash" The Circle Afterparty

Bachelor in Paradise 2 Episodes

Nothing Personal

Stand-up special Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special Stand-up special HouseBroken Himself Voice; 2 episodes 2023 Snake Oil Himself (host) 10 episodes

Year Association Category Project Result Ref. 1990 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series Saturday Night Live 1991 1993 1995 MTV Movie Award Best On-Screen Duo Tommy Boy 1999 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesJust Shoot Me! 1999 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film 2000 1999 American Comedy Award Funniest Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Just Shoot Me! 2000 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie The Emperor's New Groove 2006 Teen Choice Award Best Choice Chemistry The Benchwarmers 2011 Razzie Awards Worst Supporting Actress Jack & Jill 2013 Worst Screen Combo (shared with the entire cast) Grown Ups 2 2020 Worst ActorThe Wrong Missy Worst Screen Combo