David Spade

David Wayne Spade is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and podcaster known for his sarcastic and self-deprecating comedic style. He first gained recognition as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s. Throughout his career, he has starred in television sitcoms, feature films, and voice roles, earning four Primetime Emmy Award nominations, two Golden Globe Award nominations, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.

Spade was born on July 22, 1964, in Birmingham, Michigan, to Judith J. Spade, a writer and editor, and Wayne M. "Sam" Spade, a sales representative. He was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, alongside his older brothers, Bryan and Andy, primarily by his mother following his parents' divorce. Spade attended Saguaro High School and Scottsdale Community College before transferring to Arizona State University. While at the university, he performed in the Farce Side Comedy Hour sketch show and began doing local stand-up before leaving college to pursue comedy.

After making his film debut in Police Academy 4 in 1987, Spade joined Saturday Night Live in 1990 as a writer and performer. During his tenure on the show through 1996, he developed distinct recurring characters, performed celebrity impressions, and hosted the "Spade in America" segment. He was grouped alongside castmates Chris Farley, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, and Rob Schneider as part of the show's "Bad Boys." During his SNL years, Spade co-starred with Farley in the buddy comedy films Tommy Boy and Black Sheep.

Transitioning to television, Spade starred as receptionist Dennis Finch on the sitcom Just Shoot Me! from 1997 to 2003, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination. He later joined 8 Simple Rules for its final season and starred as Russell Dunbar on Rules of Engagement from 2007 to 2013. His television hosting credits include The Showbiz Show with David Spade and the late-night program Lights Out with David Spade.

In film, Spade starred in Joe Dirt, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, The Do-Over, and The Wrong Missy. He frequently collaborated with Adam Sandler on projects such as Grown Ups, Grown Ups 2, The Benchwarmers, and The Ridiculous 6. As a voice actor, Spade voiced Kuzco in Disney's The Emperor's New Groove and its sequel, Ranger Frank in The Rugrats Movie, and Griffin the Invisible Man in the Hotel Transylvania franchise.

In recent years, Spade has worked in podcasting and television hosting. He co-hosts the podcast Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey, launched in 2022, and its spin-off Superfly in 2024, as well as hosting the game show Snake Oil in 2023. Off-screen, Spade has contributed to philanthropic causes, donating to the Phoenix Police Department, Oklahoma tornado relief, the ALS ice bucket challenge, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.