Adept at playing comic brat extraordinaires both on film and TV, David Spade was born on July 22, 1964, inBirmingham, Michigan, the youngest of three brothers. He is the son ofJudith J. (Meek), a writer and editor, and Wayne M. Spade, a sales rep,and is of German, English, Irish, and Scottish descent. Raised in bothScottsdale (from age four) and Casa Grande, Arizona, he graduated witha degree in business from Arizona State University in 1986. A naturalprankster most of his life, Spade was pushed immediately into stand-upcomedy by friends and appeared in nightclubs and college campuses allover the country.

A casting agent saw his routine at "The Improv" in Los Angeles andoffered him a mischievous role in the filmPolice Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987).In 1990, the diminutive, flaxen-haired comedian finally hit the bigtime as a regular cast member and writer onSaturday Night Live (1975).Slow at first in gaining acceptance on the show, his razor-sharpsarcasm eventually caught on by his second season, when he played anumber of smart-aleck characters in a variety of sketches, including ahighly disinterested airline steward who bids each passenger adieu witha very sardonic "buh-bye" and an irritating receptionist forDick Clark Productions who greetseach huge celebrity with an unknowing "And you are . . . ?" A master ofthe putdown, Spade's "Hollywood Minute" reporter also took cynicaladvantage of tabloid-worthy stars. Spade impersonated such luminariesasMichael J. Fox,Kurt Cobain andTom Petty during his tenure.

Following his SNL departure after six years, he spun off into aslapstick movie career, most noticeably as the scrawny, taciturn foilto SNL's wild and crazy big boyChris Farley inTommy Boy (1995) andBlack Sheep (1996). The teaming ofthis unlikely but funny pair ended with Farley's death from a 1997 drugoverdose. Since then, Spade has appeared in his own lukewarm vehicles,includingJoe Dirt (2001) andDickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003).More recently he teamed with former SNL memberRob Schneider on the filmThe Benchwarmers (2006).Television has been more accepting over the years, with Spade earningan Emmy nomination as the droll, skirt-chasing secretary Dennis FinchonJust Shoot Me! (1997) andfilling in after the untimely death ofJohn Ritter on ABC's8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter (2002)asKatey Sagal's unprincipled nephew.

Into the millennium, David was the star of the Comedy Central showThe Showbiz Show with David Spade (2005)in 2005 wherein he more or less resurrected his obnoxious,razor-tongued gossipmonger from the old "Hollywood Minute" put-downsegment on SNL, as well as co-starring in the adult-oriented ensemblesitcomRules of Engagement (2007).

More recent comic film vehicles includeThe Benchwarmers (2006),The Do-Over (2016) alongsideAdam Sandler;Father of the Year (2018); andThe Wrong Missy (2020), along with cocky supporting roles inEntourage (2015) (as himself); theAdam Sandler vehiclesJack and Jill (2011),Grown Ups (2010),Grown Ups 2 (2013) andThe Ridiculous 6 (2015);Sandy Wexler (2017); a voice in the animated featureMonster Hotel (2012) and its sequelHotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018);Mad Families (2017) (also-co-wrote); and the rare dramatic thrillerWarning Shot (2018). He also played recurring parts on the TV programsCarpet Bros (2008),Love (2016) andThe Mayor (2017).