Ever looked at David Spade standing next to Chris Farley in Tommy Boy and thought, "Man, he looks tiny"? You aren't alone. In fact, people have been debating how tall is David Spade for nearly three decades, ever since he first popped up on Saturday Night Live with that trademark "buh-bye" attitude.
The short answer—no pun intended—is that David Spade is officially 5 feet 7 inches tall.
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But if you’ve spent any time on Reddit or celeb-height forums, you know that number is a battlefield. Fans argue he’s closer to 5'5". Critics say he wears lifts. Some even claim he's "barely bigger than a middle schooler." The truth, as it usually does in Hollywood, lies somewhere between the press kit and the red carpet.
The Official Record vs. The Eye Test
Most official talent agencies and sites like Wikipedia list David Spade at 5'7" (170 cm). Honestly, in a town where every leading man adds two inches to their resume, a 5'7" claim feels somewhat modest.
Yet, the "eye test" often betrays him. When Spade stands next to his frequent co-star Adam Sandler (who is roughly 5'10"), the gap looks significant. When he stood next to the late Chris Farley (5'8"), Spade often looked much smaller, likely due to their wildly different builds. Farley was a literal mountain of a man; Spade is a slight, wiry guy. That contrast makes him look shorter than he actually is.
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If we look at his peers from the '90s era, the height chart gets interesting:
- Chris Rock: 5'10"
- Adam Sandler: 5'10"
- Rob Schneider: 5'3" to 5'5" (depending on who you ask)
- David Spade: 5'7"
Basically, in the world of the Grown Ups cast, Spade is the middle child. He's notably taller than Rob Schneider, but he's the one who gets the most "short guy" jokes. Why? Because his whole brand is built on being the underdog.
The Comedy of the Small Sarcastic Guy
Spade’s height hasn’t just been a footnote; it’s been a tool. Think about it. If Spade were 6'2" and muscular, his sarcasm would come off as bullying. Because he’s smaller, his biting wit feels like a survival mechanism. It’s the "little dog barking at the big dog" energy that made The Hollywood Minute work so well.
He lean into it, too. In The Benchwarmers, his stature is part of the gag. In Joe Dirt, he’s the scrappy loser who shouldn't win but does. He knows exactly how he’s perceived.
"I’m just a guy that’s 5'7" and 140 pounds. I’m not exactly a physical threat." — David Spade (roughly paraphrased from various stand-up bits).
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There's a specific kind of confidence that comes with being a smaller guy who dates some of the most famous women in the world. People are constantly baffled by his dating history—Heather Locklear, Lara Flynn Boyle, Julie Bowen, and Naya Rivera have all been linked to him. This "Spade Phenomenon" proves that height is rarely the dealbreaker people think it is, especially when you’re one of the funniest people in the room.
Why Do People Think He’s 5'5"?
The discrepancy usually comes from red carpet photos. High-fashion events often feature actresses in four-inch heels. When Spade stands next to a 5'9" model wearing stilettos, she’s suddenly 6'1". Next to her, a 5'7" man looks like a kid.
Also, let’s be real: Hollywood height inflation is a thing. If a guy says he’s 5'7", the public assumes he’s 5'5". If he says he’s 6'0", we assume he’s 5'10". It’s the "Tom Cruise Effect." Because so many actors lie about their height, we’ve been conditioned to subtract two inches from whatever the internet tells us.
However, looking at Spade next to verified 5'7" celebrities, the math usually checks out. He doesn't seem to be hiding it with massive platforms or "man heels." He just is what he is.
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The Impact of Stature on Career Longevity
Is being shorter an advantage in comedy? Probably.
Comedy thrives on the relatable and the vulnerable. A "short" guy who is also snarky creates a character dynamic that audiences love to root for. If you look at the history of SNL, many of the greats weren't exactly giants. It's a profession where being "the little guy" gives you an automatic hook.
Actionable Insights for the Height-Curious
If you’re obsessing over how tall is David Spade because you’re worried about your own height, take a page out of his book.
- Own the frame: Spade never tries to look like a bodybuilder. He leans into his "wiry" look, which makes his style feel authentic.
- Humor is the ultimate equalizer: As his dating history proves, personality and wit carry far more weight than a few inches of verticality.
- Check the shoes: Next time you see a "short" celeb on a red carpet, look at the woman next to them. If she's in heels, the height difference is a total illusion.
At the end of the day, 5'7" is actually pretty close to the average height for men worldwide. Spade isn't an anomaly; he's just a guy who happens to spend a lot of time around very tall people and very large cameras.
To get a true sense of his presence, watch his 2022 Netflix special Nothing Personal. You’ll notice he doesn’t look "small" on stage. He looks like a veteran comic who has completely mastered the art of taking up space with his voice rather than his shoulders.
If you're looking to compare your own height to celebrities, use a tool like CelebHeights or compare photos of stars standing on flat ground without heels. You'll find that most of "Short Hollywood" is actually just "Average-Sized Hollywood" standing next to "Extremely Tall Hollywood."