David Spade revealed on a recent episode of his Fly on the Wall podcast that after a comedy performance, he was followed by people seeking his autograph all the way to his home. Spade explained that these individuals were not genuine fans but professional autograph seekers aiming to profit from selling items signed by him, leading to a tense and unsettling situation.
Details of the Harrowing Experience Near Spade’s Residence
The actor described the incident as he drove up a narrow and poorly lit road near his house. He noticed two cars tailing him closely in the dark, a setting he found frightening because it was an ideal area for crimes such as carjacking or robbery. When the vehicles stopped next to him, Spade kept his pepper spray ready for protection.
Spade recalled,
“I have a little road that goes up to my [house],”
and continued,
“I’m going up this crummy little street, which is pretty skinny, and there’s two cars behind me. I don’t even notice. They’re kind of on my ass. I’m like, ‘Oh shit.’ It’s pitch-black up there. It’s a perfect place for carjacking [or a] robbery.”
He described the occupants as five men who asked him to sign multiple items, including collectible Funkos. Spade told them abruptly to leave, not wanting any further interaction.
“They pull up next to me and stopped,”
Spade said.
“Five guys in a car. And I got my window cracked. They say, ‘Hey, can you sign a bunch of shit? We got all this stuff. We got some Funkos.’ [I told them to] get the fuck out of here.”
Spade’s Preparedness and Fear Escalation During the Encounter
Following this, Spade described his nervousness as the cars continued to follow him from the comedy club to his driveway. At one point, he contemplated using a gun to protect himself and scare the men off if they pursued him further onto his property.
He explained,
“They followed me from the Improv, two cars. They almost got sprayed. And then I went into my driveway. I was kind of nervous now. I go, ‘If they come behind me, I’m gonna get the gun.’ Just show it to him like, ‘Hey, this is for real. Now you’re in my house. You can’t do this.’ They’re not really fans. I love fans, but we talked about this before, it’s not fans. It’s a business. They followed me all the way home. That’s even scarier.”
Context on Spade’s Podcast and Current Projects
The Fly on the Wall podcast is co-hosted by David Spade and fellow SNL alumnus Dana Carvey, offering listeners candid insights from both comedians. Outside of the podcast, Spade is set to appear in the Apple original film Outcome, directed by Jonah Hill and starring Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz, although the release date has yet to be announced.
Additionally, Spade is starring in and producing a buddy comedy titled Busboys alongside podcaster Theo Von, with the project being self-financed by the two collaborators.
Implications of the Incident for Celebrity Privacy and Safety
This alarming experience underscores the challenges celebrities face in maintaining personal security, especially from autograph seekers who exploit fan culture for profit. For Spade, the incident was not only frightening due to the individuals’ persistent behavior but also because it blurred the boundary between public life and private safety. This episode may lead to greater awareness of the risks public figures encounter when unwanted followers invade their personal spaces.
