What Happened to David Wayne Spade?
David Spade is an American comedian, actor, and podcaster known for his sarcastic wit and extensive career in film and television, including his breakout role on Saturday Night Live and sitcoms like 'Just Shoot Me!' and 'Rules of Engagement'. He continues to be active in stand-up comedy, co-hosts the popular 'Fly on the Wall' podcast, and released a new film, 'Busboys', in April 2026, alongside his ongoing 'I Got a Feel for It' stand-up tour and Las Vegas residency through September 2026.
Quick Answer
David Spade remains highly active in the entertainment industry as of May 2026. He is currently on his 'I Got a Feel for It' stand-up comedy tour across North America, which includes multiple engagements in Las Vegas through September 2026. Spade also co-hosts the successful podcast 'Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade', which continues to release new episodes and was featured at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival in May 2026. Additionally, he co-wrote, co-produced, and co-starred in the comedy film 'Busboys', which was released on April 17, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Birmingham, Michigan
David Wayne Spade was born in Birmingham, Michigan, and later raised in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Feature Film Debut in 'Police Academy 4'
After performing stand-up comedy, Spade made his film debut as Kyle in 'Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol'.
Joins Saturday Night Live
Spade joined the cast of NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' as a writer and later became a full cast member, gaining recognition for his sarcastic characters and 'Hollywood Minute' segment.
Stars in 'Tommy Boy'
Spade starred alongside Chris Farley in the successful comedy film 'Tommy Boy', which became a cult classic.
Departs Saturday Night Live
After a successful five-year run, Spade left 'Saturday Night Live' to focus on his film and television career.
Begins 'Just Shoot Me!'
Spade took on the role of Dennis Finch in the NBC sitcom 'Just Shoot Me!', earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his performance.
Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
David Spade was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to entertainment.
Stars in 'Rules of Engagement'
Spade joined the cast of the CBS sitcom 'Rules of Engagement' as Russell Dunbar, which ran for seven seasons.
Hosts 'Lights Out with David Spade'
Spade hosted his own late-night talk show, 'Lights Out with David Spade', on Comedy Central, which concluded in 2020.
Stars in Netflix's 'The Wrong Missy'
Spade starred in the Netflix original comedy film 'The Wrong Missy', which became a highly streamed movie.
Launches 'Fly on the Wall' Podcast & 'Nothing Personal' Special
Spade began co-hosting the 'Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade' podcast and released his stand-up special 'Nothing Personal' on Netflix.
Hosts FOX Game Show 'Snake Oil'
Spade took on hosting duties for the new FOX game show 'Snake Oil', where contestants discern real products from fake ones.
Releases Stand-Up Special 'Dandelion'
David Spade released his fourth stand-up special, 'Dandelion', exclusively on Prime Video.
Film 'Busboys' Released
Spade co-wrote, co-produced, and co-starred in the comedy film 'Busboys', which was released in April 2026.
Ongoing 'I Got a Feel for It' Tour and Las Vegas Residency
As of May 2026, David Spade is actively performing on his 'I Got a Feel for It' stand-up tour and has a Las Vegas residency with Nikki Glaser at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, with dates through September 2026.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
David Wayne Spade, born on July 22, 1964, in Birmingham, Michigan, rose to prominence in the early 1990s as a writer and cast member on NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL). His signature sarcastic style and characters like the 'Hollywood Minute' reporter quickly made him a fan favorite. After leaving SNL in 1996, Spade transitioned to film, starring in hit comedies such as 'Tommy Boy' (1995) and 'Black Sheep' (1996) alongside his close friend Chris Farley. He also found significant success in television sitcoms, notably playing Dennis Finch in 'Just Shoot Me!' (1997–2003), for which he received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, and later as Russell Dunbar in 'Rules of Engagement' (2007–2013).
Spade's career continued to evolve, demonstrating his adaptability across various media. He lent his voice to animated characters, most famously as Kuzco in Disney's 'The Emperor's New Groove' (2000) and Griffin the Invisible Man in the 'Hotel Transylvania' film series (2012–2022). In 2019, he ventured into late-night television, hosting 'Lights Out with David Spade' on Comedy Central, which ran until 2020. His stand-up career has also remained a constant, with specials like 'Nothing Personal' (2022) on Netflix and 'Dandelion' (May 2025) on Prime Video, showcasing his refined comedic craft.
A key turning point in his recent career has been the success of his podcasting ventures. Since 2022, Spade has co-hosted 'Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade', a popular podcast where they interview former SNL cast members and hosts. This led to a spin-off pop culture podcast, 'Superfly', launched in 2024. These podcasts have allowed Spade to connect with new audiences and explore different comedic formats, further solidifying his influence in the comedy landscape. The podcast continues to be updated semiweekly as of May 2026.
As of May 17, 2026, David Spade's career shows no signs of slowing down. He is actively touring with his 'I Got a Feel for It' stand-up show, with dates scheduled across North America and a significant residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, extending through September 2026. In film, he co-wrote, co-produced, and co-starred in the comedy 'Busboys', which was released on April 17, 2026. Spade also hosted the game show 'Snake Oil' on Fox, which debuted in September 2023. His estimated net worth is reported to be around $60-70 million, reflecting his consistent earnings from diverse entertainment projects and strategic investments.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if David Wayne Spade made different choices?