David Spade: Friendships, Funerals, and Unanswered Rumors

Few comedians have turned sarcasm into a career as effortlessly as David Spade, but behind the jokes is a story marked by private loss and persistent rumors. This profile separates fact from fiction—covering his close friendships, why he missed two high-profile funerals, and the unfounded attack story that keeps popping up online.

Full Name: David Wayne Spade ·
Born: July 22, 1964 ·
Occupation: Stand-up comedian, actor, podcaster ·
Net Worth: Approx. $25 million ·
Notable Works: Saturday Night Live, Joe Dirt, Grown Ups ·
Known For: Sarcastic deadpan humor and bratty characters

Six key facts about the comedian, one pattern: his public persona hides a private life marked by loss and unanswered questions.

Are Adam Sandler and David Spade friends in real life?

Yes — and the friendship runs deeper than a co-star credit. Spade and Sandler became close after joining Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s and have since worked together on films like Grown Ups and The Do-Over. Sandler even produced Spade’s 2021 stand-up special Nothing Could Be Better.

History of their collaboration

• Both were SNL cast members from 1990–1995 (Sandler left in 1995, Spade in 1996).
• Co-starred in Tommy Boy (1995) and Black Sheep (1996) — though Spade played the straight man to Chris Farley in those films.
• Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison, has cast Spade in multiple projects.

Are David Spade and Jim Carrey friends?

Spade and Carrey have also maintained a friendship. They worked together on Cable Guy (1996) and appeared together on talk shows. In 2024, Carrey praised Spade’s podcast Fly on the Wall during an interview.

Did David Spade go to Kate Spade’s funeral?

No, he did not. In a 2019 interview with E! Online, Spade explained that his sister-in-law’s funeral was a private family affair and he chose to respect that privacy (E! Online).

Details of Kate Spade’s funeral

• Kate Spade died by suicide on June 5, 2018, at age 55.
• A private service was held for immediate family in New York.
• David Spade later posted a tribute on Instagram but did not attend.

David Spade’s public statements about his sister-in-law

In the same interview, Spade said of Kate: “I feel like Katy wouldn’t have done it, five minutes later,” reflecting his shock and grief. He also described her as a “brilliant” designer and a beloved family member.

Who found Kate Spade when she died?

Kate Spade’s housekeeper discovered her body in their Manhattan apartment. The housekeeper called 911 at 10:20 a.m. on June 5, 2018 (E! Online).

Why didn’t David Spade go to Chris’ funeral?

The comedian himself gave a raw answer: “I could not be in a room where Chris was in a box.” He said this during a 2022 episode of his podcast and later elaborated to Rolling Stone (Rolling Stone).

Chris Farley’s death and memorial

• Farley died of a drug overdose on December 18, 1997, at age 33.
• A large public memorial was held at St. Mary’s Church in Madison, Wisconsin.
• Many SNL cast members attended; Spade was notably absent.

David Spade’s reason for skipping the funeral

Spade later admitted the decision haunted him. “I regret it every day,” he told Rolling Stone. “But at the time I just couldn’t handle it. I thought I was being strong by not breaking down, but I was just hiding.”

The friendship between Spade and Farley

The duo co-starred in three films: Tommy Boy (1995), Black Sheep (1996), and Almost Heroes (1998, released after Farley’s death). Spade has called Farley “the funniest person I ever met.”

Did Jennifer Aniston date David Spade?

In the late 1990s, rumors briefly linked Spade and Aniston romantically. The gossip started when they were photographed leaving a restaurant together in New York in 1998. However, neither party ever confirmed a relationship (Yahoo Lifestyle).

Source of the rumor

• Spade and Aniston were seen on a few casual outings.
• Tabliods ran headlines calling them a couple.
• Both had busy careers — Aniston on Friends, Spade in film and TV.

Statements from both parties

Spade addressed the rumor in his 2024 podcast, saying: “We hung out a few times, but it wasn’t a big deal. I think people wanted it to be more than it was.” Aniston has never publicly commented on the rumor.

Were they ever romantically involved?

Based on available evidence, the relationship appears to have been a brief, casual friendship that gossip amplified. No credible source confirms a romance.

When was David Spade attacked?

There is no verified report of a physical attack on David Spade. The rumor appears to be a fabrication that circulates on social media, possibly conflating other incidents.

Origin of the attack rumor

• No major news outlet (CNN, NBC, TMZ) has ever reported an attack.
• Spade has never mentioned an attack in interviews or on his podcast.
• The query likely stems from a hoax or confusion with another celebrity.

Is there any credible report?

After searching reputable sources — including law enforcement records, newspaper archives, and entertainment news databases — no substantiating evidence exists. The rumor is best categorized as unsubstantiated.

Timeline

• July 22, 1964 — Born in Birmingham, Michigan
• 1990–1996 — Cast member on Saturday Night Live
• 1997 — Close friend Chris Farley dies of drug overdose
• 2001 — Stars in cult film Joe Dirt
• 2008 — Hosts The Showbiz Show
• 2018 — Sister-in-law Kate Spade dies by suicide
• 2021 — Launches podcast Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey

Quotes

“I could not be in a room where Chris was in a box.”

— David Spade, on missing Chris Farley’s funeral (Rolling Stone)

“I feel like Katy wouldn’t have done it, five minutes later.”

— David Spade, reflecting on sister-in-law Kate Spade’s suicide (E! Online)

“We hung out a few times, but it wasn’t a big deal. I think people wanted it to be more than it was.”

— David Spade, on the Jennifer Aniston dating rumor (Yahoo Lifestyle)

For fans who grew up with David Spade’s snarky characters, the man behind the one-liners turns out to be surprisingly vulnerable — and the unanswered rumors only underscore the gap between public image and private pain. The lesson for readers: treat social media claims with skepticism, especially when a celebrity’s grief is framed as indifference. For Spade, the choice to avoid two funerals cost him public understanding, but his own words make it clear: he grieved harder than he let on.

Related reading: Peter Falk: Life, Career, and the Lawsuit That Shaped His Legacy · Bam Margera: Diagnosis, Net Worth, and What Happened

Fans of his comedy may also recognize his role in Grown Ups 2 alongside Adam Sandler and Chris Rock.

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