While looking up David Spade’s history, I couldn’t help but be impressed. He had a seemingly rough childhood and started his career relatively young—straight out of college!
However, going from being a stand-up comedian in college to an actor, writer, and comedian is awe-inspiring.
Over the years, the hard work paid off, and David Spade’s net worth grew until it reached an estimated $70 million!
In this little guide, I’ll share with you the lowdown on how he made this fortune and how his sarcastic humor and wit became a TV classic. Let’s go!
David Spade’s Early Life
Our star here was born David Wayne Spade in July 1964 in Michigan. His mother was a writer and a magazine editor, while his father worked as a sales representative.
Spade had two siblings, and he often went on adventures with them. In his biography, Almost Interesting, he wrote that they used to go to the Arizona deserts as kids and try to catch rattlesnakes with tennis rackets to keep as pets.
Yes, as weird as that sentence is, it’s true!
Their family moved to Arizona, when Spade was only four, which is why they ended up playing in the Arizona deserts.
Soon after the move, his parents separated. As a result, Spade and his siblings spent most of their childhood with their mom, who struggled financially to raise them.
Actor and comedian David Spade (left) poses for a photo with his mother Judy Todd and brother Bryan.
Spade was known as the intelligent kid who joined his school’s spelling bee and often read many books.
He finished high school easily and enrolled in Scottsdale Community College before changing and moving to Arizona State University.
Spade could’ve continued his education, but he decided doing stand-up was earning him enough cash, so he dropped out.
Rising to Stardom
Spade’s career is long and full of various projects, from movies to shows, animation, and even video games. Regardless, I’ll try to break it down for you below:
The Late 80s and Early 90s
Spade was doing a lot of standup during his time in college and after he dropped out. Luckily for him, he was spotted during one show by a talent agent who offered him a role in the film The Police Academy (1987).
This was Spade’s first appearance on the big screen! However, he didn’t take to movies until maybe five years later.
Instead, he focused on his new role as part of the SNL crew. Spade’s friend and colleague, Dennis Miller, helped him join Saturday Night Live as a writer.
Dennis Miller.
Image source: Google
He put in the effort and became one of the best until, one day, he turned from a writer to a cast member.
His style in the show was known for its overly sarcastic and self-deprecating humor. This quickly became his trademark and a classic among the fans.
There’s a particular skit with a flight attendant that says “Buh-Bye” to each passenger on their way out of the plane. According to his memoir, a stranger says “Buh-Bye” to him at least once daily, even when he’s nowhere near a planet!
He also featured a witty segment called “Hollywood Minute,” where he played a reporter who roasted Hollywood stars with funny and slightly edgy one-liners—this will cause trouble later for the star!
The Mid-90s
David Spade’s work with SNL ended around 1996. After the 1994–1995 season, there was a massive cast change, with most of the previous crew being replaced.
After some discussion, Spade stayed for the 1995–1996 seasons to make the transition from the old cast to the new easier on the audience.
Spade had a weekly segment called “Spade in America,” similar to his old one. By the end of the 1996 season, Spade had left SNL for good. Yet, he did return once or twice over the years to host.
Free from SNL, Spade decided to venture into movies with his friend and colleague Chris Farley.
David Spade and Chris Farley in Tommy Boy stills.
He starred with him in Tommy Boy (1995) and Black Sheep (1996). They wanted to continue their work together, but sadly, Chris passed away at the age of 33 from a drug overdose.
The 2000s
At this point in his career, Spade could’ve had his pick of any show and be the star of it on top of that! Yet, he simply didn’t!
Instead, he joined the sitcom Just Shoot Me!, which aired for seven years, from 1997 to 2003.
The audience loved how he played his role, and so did the critics! This is probably because this character, Dennis Finch, is a sarcastic receptionist.
As I mentioned, this is Spade’s primary trademark. The snarky comments, tone, and witty replies made him shine in the show.
Space also voiced the main character in the Disney animated movie The Emperor’s New Groove (2000). Spade reprised his role in the movie sequel Kronk’s New Groove in 2005.
He also wrote and acted as the main character in the movie Joe Dirt, which exceeded its budget and was a success!
David Spade had many roles after that, but one of his most prominent roles was in 2018 in the movie Warning Shot with actor Bruce Dern.
David Spade (left 1) and Bruce Dern (left 2), among others, star in the Warning Shot.
Image source: Google
Moreover, the famous star didn’t just stick to the movies and TV shows, but he also worked on video games! In 2007, he voiced Sprax in the game: The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning.
Personal Life
At the beginning of his career on SNL, Spade made a joke about his former cast member, Eddie Murphy, and how his recent endeavors didn’t result in any box office success.
David Spade takes a photo with comedian, actor, and singer Eddie Murphy.
Image source: Google
The joke might’ve been just that, a quip in a show full of jokes, but it backfired. Murphy contacted Spade two days later to reprimand him about it, and they fell out of contact for more than ten years.
Around the same time, he was planning his next movie with his friend Chris Farley, but Farley’s untimely death halted their plans.
Spade didn’t attend Farley’s funeral, which sparked many rumors about the two and how they might’ve had a falling out.
However, the truth is totally different. While Chris Farley did have a drug problem, it didn’t cause any trouble between the two friends but simply added some tension to it.
The reason why he didn’t attend the funeral was because he was overcome with emotions and believed he wouldn’t be able to handle seeing his friend like that.
Regarding his romantic life, he dated various actresses over time, including Teri Hatcher and Lara Flynn Boyle. He had a daughter with model Jillian Grace in 2005 but they never got married. In fact, David Spade never got married—at least not as of July 2024!
David Spade, Jillian Grace, and their daughter Harper in 2011.
He stated that his assistant broke into his home and used a stun gun on him. Spade managed to grab his gun and lock himself in the bathroom to stay safe.
Consequently, Malloy was charged in court and pleaded guilty to avoid jail time. He got a fair sentencing, including an order to stay at least 100 yards from Spade.
Spade’s Net Worth
David Spade’s net worth grew over the years until it reached almost $70 million. He made this fortune from acting, writing, and doing stand-up shows among other projects.
Spade also owns a home in Beverly Hills but primarily resides in another house in Hollywood Hills and another in West Hollywood.
David Spade’s house in Beverly Hills, which he has lived in for over 20 years, was sold by David Spade in January 2022.
Image source: People
The actor and comedian often donates his money to help make the world a better place. For instance, he donated around $200,000 to the Oklahoma tornado relief program in 2013.
He donated another $100,000 to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014. And finally, he offered $100,000 to the National Alliance on Mental Illness in 2018 after his sister-in-law’s suicide.
Quick Recap
So, are you as impressed with David Spade’s net worth? I sure hope I am not the only one! Going from being a smart college kid to dropping out and performing stand-up shows is a bold choice that a few would make.
What’s best is that this bold choice actually worked out in his favor and he became a prominent star among the Hollywood celebrities.
Now, his fortune is estimated at around $70 million and is probably growing with any incoming royalties from his shows.
