David Spade says he was told he could never make it without Chris Farley after his death

In the 1990s, it was common to watch TV or a popular movie or commercial David Sword AND Chris Farley side by side. They came together in the same Saturday night live cast, often starring in the same sketches with co-stars Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Chris Rockand more classic cast members. Then they went on to pursue a career in film, hitting it big with back to back films Tommy Boy AND Black sheep. Spade was the straight man for Farley’s over the top physical comedy, and they made the perfect match.

Chris Farley sadly passed away in 1997 from drugs, alcohol and heart related health issues, and his friends were devastated. But to add insult to injury, Spade was later told by many that he would never have made it big in show business without his boisterous co-star.

In an interview with Howard Stern in 2013 (via /Film), Stern brought up the hurtful rumors, saying:

“I remember early in your career, after Chris Farley died, rap was always saying, ‘Well, Spade isn’t going to be able to do anything without Chris Farley; he needs Farley.'”

Spade replied that he still hears it on Twitter. When Stern asked if he still thinks about what a great team he was, Spade replied:

“Overall, I think it was a big waste, obviously. I mean, I could have – we could have done… At least I had a career doing awful movies with him by the time we were both done, you know? I mean, we keep coming back like, ‘Hey, we have to meet again.'”

David Spade went on to make several films and TV shows over the next several decades, and continues to appear in the comedy world, co-hosting the most recent pre- and post-show Chris Rock’s Netflix comedy special, and also co-hosting the Saturday night live comedy podcasts, Fly on the wall with Wayne’s world actor Dan Carvey.